ATLANTA, April 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation presented 23 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its 34th annual Preservation Awards ceremony in Macon on April 1.

The Hardman Farm in Sautee, Ga. received the Marguerite Williams Award, presented annually to the project that has had the greatest impact on preservation in the state. The Italianate style house also received an award in the Excellence in Restoration category.

Owned by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Hardman House is a great example of how preservation and sustainability can work hand in hand for both cultural and environmental conservation. The Garbutt Construction Company carried out a gentle renewal of the Hardman House with the goal of achieving LEED gold certification. With the completion of the restoration, the farm will be open to the public as a Georgia State Historic Site.

The Trust also presented five awards for Excellence in Restoration, nine awards for Excellence in Rehabilitation, three awards for Stewardship, and two for Preservation Service.

The Trust also presented the Camille W. Yow Volunteer of the Year Award to Bonnie Dowling of Macon. The Mary Gregory Jewett Award for Lifetime Preservation Service was given to Jane Symmes. The Piedmont Park Conservancy received the Chairman's Award, which recognizes extraordinary contributions made to the field of preservation, for its preservation of Greystone. The Excellence in Restoration winners were: the Coweta County Courthouse, Newnan; Hardman Farm, Helen; Old Fort Jackson, Savannah; Hills and Dales, LaGrange; and Freeman's Mill, Lawrenceville.

Excellence in Rehabilitation winners were: Campus Theatre and Bookstore, Milledgeville; Clarence Thomas Center for Historic Preservation, Savannah; E.M. Rogers House, Adel; New College at the University of Georgia, Athens; Hallock Cottage, Augusta; Plaza Arts Center, Eatonton; Pulaski County Board of Education, Hawkinsville; the Rock Building, Chatsworth; and the Wynne-Claughton Building (Carnegie Building), Atlanta.

Three awards were given to recognize Stewardship in the field of historic preservation. The winners were: Friends of the Vann House in Chatsworth for their preservation and support of the Vann House, the Shields Etheridge Farm in Jefferson for their new self-guided interpretive program, and the Stumbo Residence in Fort Valley for an addition to a neoclassical style home which left the historic integrity of the existing house intact.

Two awards for Preservation Service were presented. Jim Lockhart was recognized for his lifelong dedication to photographing the buildings and structures throughout Georgia listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Madison Morgan Conservancy's successful efforts to protect over 1,000 sites through conservation easements also received recognition.

"This year's winners represent a tremendous dedication to restoring and revitalizing Georgia's historic buildings and communities," said Mark C. McDonald, president of The Georgia Trust.  "We are proud to honor such deserving projects and individuals."

For more than 30 years, the Trust has recognized preservation projects and individuals in the state who have made significant contributions to the field of historic preservation. Awards are presented on the basis of the contributions of the person or project to the community and/or state and on compliance to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

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 "10 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 about The Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards, visit www.georgiatrust.org.

Contacts:
Traci Clark, 404-885-7802
Cell: 404-245-6586
tclark@georgiatrust.org

SOURCE The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation