Historic Preservation in Georgia

As the site of the oldest state-chartered university in America (1785), the University’s North Campus, where the College of Environment and Design is located, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This district, along with much of the city of Athens, provides a doorstep laboratory for preservation majors at the University of Georgia — along with numerous sites, districts, and entire communities across the state. It is in the context of dealing with contemporary issues that these areas provide both professional training and practical experience to the student in both rural and urban environments.

In 2009, the city of Athens was selected as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations for its dynamic downtown, attractive architecture, cultural landscape, and strong commitment to historic preservation and revitalization.

Topics such as downtown revitalization and landscape conservation have been a part of the College of Environmental Design’s instructional emphasis since before the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966. Classes in historic preservation were first offered at the CED (then a school) in 1973, with a full two-year master’s degree program initiated in 1982.

Several public service organizations based in Athens or at CED offer students practical experiene in historic preservation.

• National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC): NAPC is a national non-profit organization dedicated to serving local historic preservation commissions and architectural review boards through a program of education, training, and advocacy. It has been housed in the College’s Office of Public Service and Outreach since 1988.
• FindIt Historic Resources Survey Program: FindIt is a partnership between the College and Georgia Transmission Company and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division. Its mission is to proactively survey historic resources in every county in Georgia to State survey standards. It has been housed in the College’s Office of Public Service and Outreach since 2002.
• Hands-On Athens (HOA): Hands on Athens is a hands-on repair and rehabilitation program that provides volunteer assistance to low income homeowners in Athens. It is a partnership between several preservation and community organizations. The CED has served on the HOA steering committee since the programs inception and CED students and faculty participate in the annual Hands-On Athens Weekend gaining valuable hands-on experience while serving as CED ambassadors to the Athens community.