Savannah Celebrates Historic Buildings with Preservation Awards

News Summary

Savannah has been honored for its dedication to preserving its historical heritage, with the Scottish Rite Temple and Doyle House receiving statewide preservation awards from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The awards, showcased in a ceremony in Brunswick, spotlight the city’s efforts to maintain its architectural legacy. Both buildings reflect significant restoration projects that honor their historical features while fostering community pride in Savannah’s architectural history.

Savannah Honors Historic Buildings with Statewide Preservation Awards

Savannah has recently been recognized for its commitment to preserving its rich historical heritage, with two significant buildings awarded statewide preservation accolades from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The Scottish Rite Temple and the Doyle House were honored at a ceremony held in Brunswick last week, highlighting the city’s ongoing efforts to maintain its architectural legacy.

Scottish Rite Temple Receives Award for Excellence in Preservation

The Scottish Rite Temple has been awarded the Excellence in Preservation award, a distinction that acknowledges appropriate preservation practices of historic resources along with creative interpretations of historic sites. This iconic structure has been a prominent feature of Savannah’s skyline for over a century, originally designed by architect Hyman Witcover between 1913 and 1923.

The Scottish Rite Temple is a six-story building made of marble, brick, and terra cotta, initially constructed to serve Masonic organizations. In 2019, the Savannah College of Art and Design acquired the property, leading to a comprehensive three-phase exterior restoration aimed at preserving its historical integrity. Skilled artisans were employed to stabilize and catalog façade elements, hand-clean various materials, and repair or replace deteriorated terra cotta components. Critical structural repairs were also made to combat long-standing issues such as water infiltration and steel deterioration, crucial for the building’s stability.

As part of the restoration process, all exterior doors and windows were meticulously restored to reflect their original appearance and functionality. The rehabilitation efforts were guided by a strong respect for the building’s historic character and aimed at celebrating traditional craftsmanship.

Doyle House Recognized for Excellence in Rehabilitation

The Doyle House was awarded the Excellence in Rehabilitation award for its successful restoration project that aimed to repair, alter, and add to the structure while preserving its historical features. Located within Savannah’s Streetcar Historic District, the home was originally built for Irish immigrant Maria A. Doyle and her three children, who resided there until the 1960s.

The recent rehabilitation of the Doyle House focused on restoring its original character, which had been compromised by previous alterations such as the addition of vinyl siding and dropped ceilings. The house is now operating as a single-family residence under a long-term lease, serving as a model for investment in Savannah’s historic neighborhoods.

Preservation Initiatives in Savannah

The recognition of these historic buildings is part of a larger initiative led by the Historic Savannah Foundation to bring awareness to threatened historic sites within the city. Their Endangered Places initiative emphasizes the importance of preserving Savannah’s architectural significance. Properties considered for inclusion on the Endangered Places list must be at least 50 years old and exhibit local architectural, cultural, or historical importance.

The goal of this initiative is to educate the public and foster discussions around preserved sites, aiming to keep Savannah’s history alive while advocating for ongoing preservation efforts. Nominations for the Endangered Places list will remain open throughout the year, encouraging community involvement in the protection of the city’s unique architectural heritage.

Conclusion

With the accolades received by the Scottish Rite Temple and the Doyle House, Savannah demonstrates its dedication to preserving its historical buildings while fostering community pride. These efforts reflect not only a commitment to architectural preservation but also a broader recognition of the importance of historical narratives within the fabric of Savannah.

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Additional Resources

• WTOC: Two Savannah Buildings Receive Statewide Awards
• Wikipedia: History of Savannah, Georgia
• WJCL: Historic Savannah Foundation Releases First Ever Endangered Places List
• Google Search: Savannah historical preservation
• Architectural Digest: Savannah’s Historic District
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Savannah, Georgia