2 area houses earn Georgia Trust for historical preservation awards

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Entered photo: House 202 South Broad Street in Thomasville is shown at the top with the restoration work, which earned it at the conservation price.

Entered photo: Bentley House, Quitman, is shown here before his restoration.

Entered photo: Bentley House is shown at the top after the work was completed to restore it.

The historic building in the 202 South Broad St. in Thomasville and the Bentley House in Quitman received from the Georgia Trust for the historical preservation of historical preservation in a ceremony in Brunwick.

The house in the South Broad St. 202 in Thomasville received a rehabilitation award in which projects are recognized, which are more compatible with repairs, changes or additions and at the same time receive characteristics of the property that imparts its historical value. This year the Trust 10 excellence in rehabilitation awards.

The long, free and deteriorating and deteriorating 202 South Broad Street in the city center of Thomasville was revitalized by the local owners Heather and Kelly Abbott by a thoughtful rehabilitation.

The building was originally built in 1873 with an expansion in 1926 and is a contributing resource in the commercial historical district of Thomasville. With historical tax credits, the Abbotts replaced all mechanical systems, restored historical windows and doors and repaired masonry and flooring. A previously modernized facade, which was approved by the local Historic Preservation Commission, was replaced to resemble historical photos of the structure, and a collapsed rear garage was reconstructed with historical details. The building now houses three retail space and twelve offices on the upper floor, which provides an exhausted intersection with energy and revives this trading district.

The Bentley House in Quitman received an award for excellence in the restoration, which distinguishes the exemplary restoration of historical structures, which restore the shape, characteristics and the character of a historical building, as it appeared in a certain time. This year the trust presented only one excellence in the restoration award.

The Bentley House was built in 1860 and designed by the renowned architect John Wind. It is a striking example of the Greek resuscitation architecture with Palladic elements. Originally, the merchant Benjamin Bentley, the historical and architectural importance of the cottage is located in Wind's design, a trademark of South West Georgia. For more than a decade, the current owner – led by a historic architecture consultant – has carefully restored the house to reflect its original building. The project included the reconstruction of verands and pillars, the restoration of chimneys and fireplaces and the reintroduction of missing decorative elements. Nine-over-nine windows were regulated, and historical features such as rim locks, granular doors and wallpaper in period style were carefully revived. Non-historical additions have been removed, and the house now serves as a time capsule that illustrates life in South Georgia in the 1860s. This practical restoration is a strong example of private responsibility that inhales a new life to one of Quitman's architectural treasures.

For more than 45 years, the Georgia Trust has recognized educational projects and individuals across Georgia who have made significant contributions to the area of ​​historical condition.

The awards are awarded on the basis of the contributions of the person or the project to the community and/or the state and to comply with the secretary of the interior ministers for the treatment of historical properties.

To learn more about Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards, visit Georgiatrust.org.