You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but for the Georgia Writers Museum, appearances matter.
Located at a highly visible entrance to Eatonton’s historic downtown at Highway 44 and South Jefferson Avenue, the museum is one of the first landmarks visitors encounter. While the front of the building has long been well maintained, the rear — damaged by a roof collapse and marked by patchwork brick repairs — had come to look as worn as a well-loved book.
Unsafe rear entrances and the building’s deteriorated appearance also discouraged use of the city parking lot behind the 100 block of South Jefferson.
GWM received a 2025 Historic Preservation Matching Grant from the Georgia Trust and the 1772 Foundation to restore the building to reflect its original character. The work included surface repairs, exterior painting, adding safer and more accessible entryways, and decorative shutters to cover large windows that had been bricked in. This support has been essential to preserving the building’s historic integrity while creating a safer, more welcoming experience for visitors.
“We are committed to preserving the historic integrity of this building and honoring Eatonton’s remarkable legacy,” said GWM Executive Director Melissa Swindell. “We were thrilled the Georgia Trust and 1772 Foundation recognized the need and entrusted us with a grant. We are also grateful to the Downtown Development Authority, Eatonton Main Street, the City of Eatonton, and other community partners who helped match the grant and bring this restoration to life.”