Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Announces $1.7 Million Fundraising Campaign to Restore Rhodes Hall

ATLANTA, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation announced the public phase of its $1.7 million capital campaign to fund the green rehabilitation and restoration of Rhodes Hall. To date the Trust has secured over $1.6 million in grants and pledges.

Rhodes Hall has been the headquarters for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation for more than 30 years. One of the last remaining mansions that once lined Peachtree Street, Rhodes Hall was built in 1904 for Rhodes Furniture Company founder Amos Giles Rhodes.

The Trust plans to implement a sustainable rehabilitation of Rhodes Hall which will feature energy efficient, state-of-the-art HVAC and insulation systems and many other innovations. This will be achieved alongside a sensitive historic restoration, providing a modern model for the stewardship of historic buildings.

The Georgia Trust recently completed the first stage of Rhodes Hall's "greening" by installing more efficient HVAC and insulation systems.

Before restoration work began, leaks in Rhodes Hall's extensive roof were damaging the porch and porte cochere ceilings. Roof repairs are now 95% complete. Porch ceiling repairs are now underway. Decorative pressed tin panels have been removed and taken off site where they will be sanded, repainted and reinstalled once the porch roof work is finished.

Future plans include restoring Rhodes Hall's 111 historic windows; repairing exterior wood trim and granite; implementing a Grounds Use and Maintenance Plan that considers sustainability, Rhodes Hall's historic landscape plan and the functional needs of the facility; and upgrading bathrooms, catering kitchen, sleeping porch and work stations.

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is one of the country's largest statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. The Trust is committed to preserving and enhancing Georgia's communities and their diverse historic resources for the education and enjoyment of all.

The Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia's "Places in Peril." The Trust helps revitalize downtowns by providing design and technical assistance in 102 Georgia Main Street cities; trains Georgia's teachers in 63 Georgia school systems to engage students in discovering state and national history through their local historic resources; and advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts. To learn more, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

Media contact: Traci Clark, The Georgia Trust, 404-885-7802, tclark@georgiatrust.org

SOURCE The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation