May/June 2002 - The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation

2002 Preservation AwardsExcellence in RehabilitationWarthen Lane Interiors, WarthenOwner: Al WoodsNominator: Washington Co. Historical Society, Inc.Many buildings were built between 1900 and 1920 inWarthen, including the Farmers and MerchantsBank in 1911. The structure subsequently saw manyuses, including service as a general merchandisestore, a bus station and a post office. It becamevacant in the 1980s. In 1997, Warthen was listed as aNational Register Historic District, which sparkedinterest in the old buildings. Spearheading that interesthas been Al Woods’ purchase and renovation of the bank. Work has included cleaning andrestoring the brick façade and installing a new roof. Inside, the original wall-hung oak banking deskis restored as a display counter. A canvas awning evokes the feeling of covered sidewalks while thefront entry was landscaped and the original hexagon paving blocks were uncovered. Today,Warthen Lane Interiors offers antiques, decorative services, and flower arrangements.J. Neel Reid Prize2002 J. Neel Reid Task Force:Mose Bond, Chair, Atlanta, Norman Askins, Atlanta, W. Lane Greene, Atlanta, Sheffield Hale, Atlanta,Dale Jaeger, Gainesville, Annie Jones, Macon, William R. Mitchell, Jr., Atlanta, Joseph Molloy, Jr., AIA,Atlanta, Mary Robinson, Atlanta, Susanne Schlaifer, Atlanta, Marion Slaton, Atlanta, Eugene L. Surber,FAIA, Atlanta, Georgia Trust Staff: Alison Tyrer, AtlantaThis year the Trust awarded the second annual J. Neel Reid Prize to Georgia Institute of Technologygraduate and instructor Michael Kleeman. The J. Neel Reid Prize is a $5,000 travel study fellowship fundedby the sale of the 1997 book “J. Neel Reid, Architect,” by William R. Mitchell, Jr. Mr. Kleeman teachesthe fundamentals of design, drafting and drawing at Georgia Tech. In addition, he is an architecturalintern at Jones Pierce Architects, which specializes in residential construction and the renovation of historicallysensitive neighborhoods throughout Atlanta. Mr. Kleeman plans to use the prize to travel to Italy andresearch Sebastiano Serlio, a noted 16th-century architectural writer and theorist.“Architecture and architectural history should really be so much more than pictures in books or slides,”said Mr. Kleeman. “The Neel Reid Prize offers a chance to physically explore places so I can convey thatkind of first-hand experience in my sketches, photos and knowledge.”Academic Scholarships2002 Scholarship Committee:Dr. Elizabeth A. Lyon, Chair, Flowery Branch, Karen Anderson-Cordova, Atlanta, Boyd Coons, Atlanta,Carole Merritt, Atlanta, Laura Straehla, Athens, Georgia Trust Staff: Jennifer Holcombe, AtlantaB. Phinizy Spalding ScholarshipKay Stanton, a graduate student in The Universityof Georgia’s historic preservation program,says she has been fascinated with historic buildingssince her childhood. Upon graduating fromBerry College with a bachelor of arts, she workedas property manager at the King Plow Arts Centerin Atlanta. Her next project is to document industrialbuildings along the Greenway in Athens. “Iplan to make a real difference,” she says, “be itlarge or small, as a preservationist in Georgia.”Hubert B. Owens ScholarshipBrandon McCuin is a graduate of The Universityof Georgia with a bachelor of arts in history andis working toward his graduate degree in historicpreservation at Georgia State University. He hada childhood that fostered his interest in historyand has helped his father and grandfather restoretwo farmhouses in Macon. Mr. McCuin says hehopes to “work in an environment where I willbe able to apply what I’ve learned to preservationprojects within the community.”