Dear editor,
On behalf of the Eatonton Historic Preservation Commission (EHPC), we would like to thank The Eatonton Messenger for its coverage of this year’s Preservation Awards (Messenger, C1, May 8, 2025), held May 6 before the city council meeting. We also want to again congratulate the winners this year: Nancy and Jim Marshall, JoAnne and Aaron Raatz, Karl and Myrna Taylor and family, Tim Wilder of Chattahoochee Shoals Investments, and Blake and Steve Noles of Noles Landscaping.
Each of these individuals and organizations deserve a huge “thank you” from all us for their roles in preserving Eatonton’s historic homes and buildings that contribute to our sense of place and community pride.
As you may know, May is National Preservation Month, dedicated to celebrating history in all its forms. Oral accounts, publications, historic sites, museums, architecture; they all blend together to tell our collective history and help transmit our past to future generations.
To learn more about Eatonton’s history, consider exploring some of these suggestions: 1. The Eatonton Chamber of Commerce’s free booklet, A Walking Tour of Eatonton, can be picked up at the Chamber’s office (108 W. Marion St., Eatonton).
It contains a map, photographs, and brief histories of several local historic homes and buildings.
2. Learn about the city’s Preservation Design Guidelines at eatontonhpc.com and how they encourage sensitive rehabilitation of historic homes and buildings. 3. Explore your attic, basement, garage, or other outbuildings, especially if they’re old and largely untouched. Do you have any historical documents or photos that may contribute to your community’s history? If so, please contact Eatonton HPC, or the Eatonton-Putnam Historical Society so we can make copies.
4. Visit local museums to learn more about the history of your community. Contact the Old School History Museum, Eatonton/Putnam Historical Society, the Uncle Remus Museum, or Georgia Writers Museum for more information.
Thank you, Eatonton Historic Preservation Commission: Lyn Romine, Nancy Marshall, Carol Haley, Danny Waggoner, Diane Folk