Historic Landscape Preservation and Programs
In 1996 The Garden Club of Georgia launched the Historic Landscape Preservation Fundraiser to support a matching grant for the restoration of historic, non-profit, public landscapes and gardens in Georgia.
To date, historic landscapes have received matching grants from this fund totaling more than $250,000. Fundraisers are held in each district in rotation to highlight the many impressive historic garden sites in the state.
2024 Historic Landscape Preservation Fundraiser hosted by the Laurel District at Fair Oaks
Join us Saturday November 2, 2024 for a special day in Marietta, GA at Fair Oaks, circa 1851, home of the Marietta Educational Garden Center. This historic antebellum home houses the member clubs of the Marietta Council of Garden Clubs.
It is one of the largest privately owned and maintained green spaces in Cobb County. Prominently located in the Kennesaw Avenue Historic District on 3.5 acres, the enchanting antebellum home is decorated with exquisite period antiques and rugs along with nicely landscaped grounds. It was commandeered for military use during the Civil War by both the Union and Confederate armies. Registration coming soon.
2023 Historic Preservation Fundraiser hosted by the Magnolia District - Massee Lane Gardens
Join us November 4, 2023 for a special day at Massee Lane Gardens in Fort Valley, GA. The nine acre garden holds one of the world's finest collections of camellias. The Garden began as the private garden of David C. Strother in the 1930s. Mr. Strother donated this land to the American Camellia Society for its headquarters in 1966. Additional gardens of roses, daffodils, daylilies, chrysanthemums, azaleas, flowering trees, annuals and perennials provide year round beauty.
2022 Historic Preservation Fundraiser hosted by the Azalea District - Lockerly Arboretum
Located in Milledgeville, the Lockerly Arboretum features extensive collections of rhododendron, azalea, camellia, conifers, irises, and daylilies. The event featured tours of the gardens and Rose Hill, the antebellum home on the property. Lunch was included provided by Comfort Farms, with a lecture on heirloom seeds.
2021 Historic Landscape Preservation Fundraiser hosted by the Redbud District
Redbud District hosted the 2021 HLP Fundraiser at the historic Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange. The day featured tours of the home and garden, a lecture by the head horticulturist entitled “Heirloom Plants for Garden Fragrance,” and a box lunch.
Historic Landscape Initiative
Since the 1930's GCG has been actively involved with various aspects of preserving Georgia's landscape history. For the past twenty years, one of its signature programs is the Georgia Historic Landscape Initiative (GHLI). GHLI is a collaboration among The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and the Cherokee Garden Library, Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center, and the University of Georgia, College of Environment + Design, Historic Preservation Program. The purpose of the GHLI is to conducta statewide inventory of historic gardens and landscapes of Georgia. For more information on the program, click here.
Historic Landscape Grant
The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. partners with the the Cherokee Garden Library at the Atlanta History Centerto provide this grant. Funding is provided in the form of 50/50 matching grants at a maximum of $3,000. Grants are funded for a one-year period. For details on the application process, click here.
2021 Grant Recipients
- Reynolds Mansion, Sapelo Island, McIntosh County
- Braselton Downtown Development Authority, Jackson County
- Zion Hill Cemetery, Walton County
2020 Grant Recipients
- Pebble Hill Plantation, Thomas County
- Ladies Garden Club, Clark County
- Dunwoody Nature Center, DeKalb County
- Memorial Park Conservancy, Fulton County
Preservation Partners
Member clubs and individuals may donate to historic preservation. Clubs donating $25 or more are awarded "Partner of Preservation. " Organizations or individuals donating $100 or more become a "Patron of Preservation". Use this form to make donations. Make checks payable to GCG and mail to the GCG Treasurer. Use the GCG donations form.
The James R. Cothran Historic Landscape Preservation Endowment Fund
GCG has established an endowment fund for the Historic Landscape Preservation Grants entitled the "James R. Cothran Historic Landscape Preservation Endowment Fund" in memory of James R. Cothran, founder of the Historic Landscape Preservation Fundraiser, Grant Fund and the Georgia Historic Landscape Initiative. Monies donated to this fund will be used as a permanent capital fund solely for the purpose of financing the Historic Landscape Preservation Grants within the state of Georgia. Anyone wishing to support historic preservation and/or to honor Cothran's outstanding contributions to historic landscape preservation, may make a tax deductible contribution to this fund. To contribute, please complete this form. Clubs may also donate through the GCG donation form.