 "Photo: CPH")
The University of West Georgia’s Center for Public History set out to answer the question “Does Place Still Matter?” for a crowd of students and community members Thursday morning in the Ingram Library. The overall theme of the presentation was an emphatic “Yes” to the presentation’s title.
According to Keith Hébert, UWG alumnus and assistant professor of history, the library in which his speech was held is a site of historical significance. The university, along with over a thousand other sites in Carroll County, makes up a rich array of the county’s historic resources, as well as one of the state’s largest collections of historic buildings.
Dr. Hébert’s presentation showed Carroll County to be a veritable gold mine of history.
“History is all around us,” Hébert said. “All you have to do is open your eyes and look around, and history comes alive.”
He said the potential for historic preservation is strong in Carroll County, but it requires an active campaign from local preservationists.
“There is a solid foundation for the future of the past in Carroll County,” he said.
Hébert pointed to the Macintosh Reserve, Morris Bridge Park and the old railroad depot as large chunks of Carroll County history. But the real history, he said, lies in the homes of real people—the farmers and mill workers that populated Carroll County about 60 years ago.
Hébert blames the perception that historical landmarks were only valued if they were the homes of the white, the rich and the famous on misinformation. Not every historic landmark needs Greek columns or five floors.
“Everything isn’t pretty,” Hébert said. “To be historic is to be equal.”
The National Park Service’s National Historic Preservation Act requires only that a building be 50 years old, that the historical integrity of the resource be intact and that it either had a connection to historical events, architecture or the potential to yield archaeological findings.
“Historic properties are tangible evidence in Georgia’s history,” said Hébert said. “They contribute to a sense of place, strengthen cultural identities and enrich the quality of people’s lives.”
According to Hébert, the major obstacles facing local preservationists is the lack of awareness in the community, lack of involvement and the need to hold public officials accountable for historic sites.
In the state of Georgia, anyone has the right to nominate a building or property to the National Register of Historic Places, as long as they have the owner’s consent. People often neglect to register government buildings because they assume they are already registered, though this is not always the case. Private citizens are able to nominate government sites.
In addition to Hébert’s presentation, a preview of a recent faculty publication was also presented to the crowd. Suzanne K. Durham, head of Special Collections for Ingram Library, and UWG student Emma Dobbs’ recently published, “Then and Now: Carrollton,” a book of past and present photos of the Carrollton area. The book explains how landmarks throughout the city have evolved from a half century ago to now. According to Durham, a good deal of the library’s historical references and the old photos in the book come from Benjamin Long, an insurance agent from Burwell, who photographed the city partly as a hobby, and partly to build clientele.
Durham and Dobbs attempted to recreate Long’s original photos. Though, Durham added, since the book was published last year, it is already out-of-date. Half of the publication’s proceeds will aid in funding the library.
“It was a difficult process,” Dobbs said. “But overall, it was a great experience.”
Be the first to comment on this article!