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.

Today's entry is devoted to Statesboro's preservation efforts. The city was selected as a Main Street City in 1991, and the organization joined the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority to restore the heart of the town. The development of the Averritt Center for the Arts has launched the city's drive to beautify and preserve the downtown area. Many businesses have moved to the area as a result of this action. Main Street Statesboro hosts events such as First Friday, which brings the community together, and provides businesses in the downtown area excellent advertisement. More information about preserving the Statesboro's downtown district can be found at www.mainstreetstatesboroga.com. The website provides links to many downtown businesses, and gives information on the project and how citizens can get involved. For information on the program statewide, a complete listing of the Main Street cities in Georgia, and information on how your city can join in, go to www.mainstreetgeorgia.org.

To begin my quest to preserve my grandmother's house, I am using http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/index.htm, the National Register of Historic Places' official website. This includes not only houses, but cemetaries, battlefields, landscapes, and other properties. I thought an investigation to find possible sources for funding would be the best place to start. Achieving National Register status is the highest honor a property can be granted. However, there is a lot of work involved with making this happen. I am beginning with the requirements and forms available from the website for determining if the house is considered worthy for the National Register. There is a page explaining how to list a property, the criteria for listing, and an explanation about the nomination process. For people undertaking such a huge mission without a preservationalist, the site is very helpful. It also includes downloadable forms for nominations of individual properties, as well as communities.

So today's post is completely personal. I am launching the HUGE task of researching information on my grnadmother's childhood home. Her dad was a small-town doctor, and the house she grew up in was actually a makeshift hospital during the Civil War. I am trying to gather information and forms on getting the house on registered either on the state or national register. While government and nonprofit sites are very helpful and organized, it's a very daunting task. The information to sort through is overwhelming!! If anyone has any tips, please send them along!! I am really excited because I think this is what my grandmother would want, and I have always wanted to see this huge old house the way it looked 150 years ago. It is certainly an inspiration in my passion for historic preservation.

Smart Growth America is an organization I recently discovered that is aiding in the campaign to save America's history. The organization contains a plethora of information, specializing in housing, economy, children and schools, environment, preservation and revitalization, social equity, transportation, open space and farmland, and health and aging. Smart Growth America is made up of a coalition of organizations at national, state, and local levels fighting to improve the country overall. The preservation/revitalization wing supports the planning of "urban sprawl" and efforts to rehabilitate areas, rather than destroying them. They feature an article on the econmic benefits of preservation as well. They also discuss Main Street, Inc., a program that is in effect in many cities in Georgia (http://www.georgiatrust.org/whatwedo/mainlist.html to see a complete listing). It is gratifying to see what a rapidly growing field this is. However, www.smartgrowthamerica.org is a valuable resource for many different fields, and contains links to all of their supporting programs.