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Georgia Historical Society Presents Two Awards for Local History to Historic Augusta, Inc.

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Augusta, GA – November 4, 2009.  GHS President Dr. Todd Groce will present the 2009 Roger K. Warlick Local History Achievement Awards for Programs and Preservation Project to Historic Augusta, Inc. at their Annual Meeting on Monday, November 16, 2009.  The Warlick awards recognize the efforts of historical organizations across the state to collect, preserve, and share the history of Georgia with the general public in six categories: Affiliate of the Year, Archival Excellence, Exhibits, Media Project, Programs, and Preservation Project.

As the winner of the 2009 Roger K. Warlick Local History Achievement Award for Programs, Historic Augusta, Inc. is being recognized for their continuing efforts to preserve, and promote the history of the state of Georgia and Augusta through inventive educational programs. Historic Augusta’s “Walk with the Spirits,” program introduced Georgians to noted Augusta residents interred at the historic Magnolia Cemetery. The program featured a guided tour of the cemetery which highlighted the history of the site itself and discussion of gravestone iconography, as well as costumed reenactors portraying many of Magnolia Cemetery’s most illustrious deceased citizens.

The 2009 Roger K. Warlick Local History Achievement Award for Preservation Project recognizes the completion of Historic Augusta’s nearly 15-year efforts to restore the Union Baptist Church. The church restoration began in the mid 1990s with a $39,000 grant to refurbish the roof, and since 2004 over $500,000 has been raised through donation and grant funding to continue the effort. The site has a rich history stretching back to the founding of a mission church for Augusta textile mill workers in 1851 and its use by Rev. Joseph Ruggles Wilson (father of future president Woodrow Wilson) as a Sunday school for African-Americans during the Civil War.

“Historic Augusta’s work with Union Baptist Church has helped to preserve another of Georgia’s treasures for future generations and their unique and inventive program helps to keep history alive,” said GHS President and CEO, Dr. W. Todd Groce, “and GHS is proud to recognize their continued efforts to preserve and share the history of our state.”

The GHS Affiliate Chapter Program is a growing network of local historical and genealogical societies, commissions, museums, foundations, archives, preservation organizations, churches, and patriotic organizations throughout Georgia and beyond.  For more information on the Affiliate Chapter Program, Roger K. Warlick Local History Achievement Awards, or to download a membership form, please visit the Membership and Giving tab at www.georgiahistory.com .