My final grade

What do I deserve in this class?? Hmm... This has been an interesting class, especially as far as blogs go b/c I've never really posted them before. Now, I'm actually starting to use the one I have on my myspace account. I didn't post enough blog entries, but I honestly got bogged down with ideas. I felt like I was just copying news strories. But I think the entries I did make were useful to me, if no one else. I think my articles will be fine once I get them to you! I have to get the coding right--that's been the biggest challenge so far. I'm not so HTML savvy. I can make a webpage, but for some reason I'm not good with codes. So I am thinking a B, considering my blog. Hopefully, my articles are better!!

So one of my main issues with Statesboro is the city's lack of interest in neighborhood preservation. Many of the older neighborhoods surrounding the dowtown area are rich with culture, particularly African American culture, and the vernacular homes are priceless. Larger cities such as Augusta and Macon are currently working to preserve such neighborhoods. The city of Augusta and the city's historic preservation division, http://www.augustaga.gov/departments/planning_zoning/hist_prev_about.asp, are setting wonderful examples for smaller towns to emulate. Historic Augusta, Inc, http://www.historicaugusta.org/, is another partner organization that has worked to preserve communities surrounding the heart of the city, largely focusing on saving African America neighborhoods, such as Bethlehem and the Laney-Walker District. I think this is a very important aspect of Bullochy County's history that currently seems to be largely overlooked. I know Bulloch County has a historical society, but I was unable to find a website for them.

One reason I dedicated my blog to historic preservation is because I hope to attend the University of Georgia's School of Environental Design next fall. The school offers a Masters degree in Historic Preservation http://www.uga.edu/gradschool/programs/historic_perservation.html, and focuses on elements such as city planning and green design for restoration students. The city provides an excellent lab for students in this field, as many of the buildings on campus have been fully restored from their original framework. Athens also provides good examples for students working towards the city planning aspect of historical preservation. Of course, the city is a member of the Main Street organization, as several organizations work together in preservation and landscaping efforts throughout campus and the town. Just in case anyone reading this is interested, the following link is a listing of courses and requirements, http://www.sed.uga.edu/courses/mhp.htm.

Historical Preservation is not limited to the restoration of buildings. According to the National Trust of Historical Preservation, www.preservationnation.org, entire neighborhoods, landscapes, rural buildings, cemetaries, and artifacts are all elements of preservaton. Antiquing is perhaps the most broad, most popular form of historical preservation. Magazines, countless books, television shows, organizations, websites, and businesses are dedicated to this popular fascination. The Antiques Road Show is a good example of this trend.

So this entry is dedicated to researching your home to discover its historical worth. The Atlanta Journal Constituton ran a feature article on the subject earlier this month, and it was loaded with good tips and information. While the article was geared toward Atlantians, there are good sources that can be used statewide. Of course, the best way to discover the history of your house is to know the people who lived in it previously. The article discusses several different ways to research old homeowners, but the library and state archives are always the most credible sources.The state archive website, www.sos.ga.gov/archives, is a good source for census information and files on neighborhoods. The Library of Congress, www.loc.gov, is another source to find information on neighborhoods. And, of course, utilizing local preservation organizations and the state's site, www.gashpo.org, should bring results. The article with all of this information was written to help citizens in Atlanta get a tax credit on historic homes, and can be found at http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/homeandgarden/stories/2008/04/21/hghistory_0421.html.

I found a really interesting article that relates to neighborhood preservation. An HGTV contest has led to the creation of a park on a vacant lot in West Baltimore. Located in an area known for past violence, the vacant lot selected has been kept clean for 20 years by the woman who lives next door. She had names of victims of local crime listed on the lot. The lot will serve as a memorial garden for these victims and will include stepping stones inscribed with inspirational quotes such as the following for Mahatma Ghandi: "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." I thought this was a awonderful concept, particularly adding the quotes. This article appeared in the Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.garden29apr29,0,4896828.story. It is also an excellent example of preservation attempts not only looking into the past, but providing for the future as well. An empty spot of dirt can make a difference.

In honor of Earth Day, April 22nd, several of the nation's top magazines have dedicated entire issues to the cause. Time (http://www.time.com/time/magazine ), Vanity Fair (http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/green/ ), National Geographic (http://www.thegreenguide.com/magazine/ ), and Preservation Magazine (http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2008/january-february/) all joined the trend. Time dubbed an article on "How to Win the War on Global Warming." Vanity Fair covered the same issue. National Geographic took a different approach, which I thought was a bit more interesting, if not as politically renowned. NG simply compiled helpful tips for everyday citizens to work into their daily routines. Making simple changes, such as using energy efficient lightbulbs, using organic cleaning products, and recycling can impact the world. Wal-Mart and Coca-Cola present a united front in the Green War with new, affordable t-shirts made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles. Going Green is no longer for environmentalists and tree-huggers; it's becoming a world-wide trend.