Georgia Historic Preservation Division

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DCA Welcomes Historic Preservation Division  

The team responsible for preserving Georgia’s legacy is now housed in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The end of the 2020 legislative session marked the transfer of the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) from the Department of Natural Resources to DCA.

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 required that every state has a historic preservation office. HPD oversees compliance of federal agencies in relation to historic resources, administers multiple economic development programs, and collaborates with key stakeholders for planning, conservation, tourism, and site protection.

“The Historic Preservation Division’s program targets, such as economic development, resource protection, local and regional planning, and downtown revitalization, are in direct alignment with DCA’s mission, vision and values,” said Christopher Nunn, commissioner. “Both agencies serve diverse needs across the state. Therefore, we are excited to welcome HPD to DCA and look forward to continuing to impact communities.”

The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) is Georgia’s state historic preservation office, or SHPO. Every state has a SHPO, as established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, often referred to simply as the NHPA. HPD has several key functions as part of the national historic preservation program. First, through the Section 106 compliance program (named for the section of the federal implementing regulations of the NHPA), HPD functions as a watchdog over federal agencies doing business in the state, helping to insure that they respect our most important historic resources. Second, we administer various economic development programs that leverage private capital to encourage business growth, especially in our many smaller towns and communities. Finally, through programs like the National Register of Historic Places, Certified Local Governments, and others, we work with partners both inside and outside state government to encourage regional and local planning, neighborhood conservation, downtown revitalization, heritage tourism and archaeological site protection.

State Historic Preservation Offices receive financial assistance through the Historic Preservation Fund of the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, and provides matching state funds to carry out the national historic preservation program. The National Park Service establishes broad policies, programs and standards for state and local participation in the national program. Each state then tailors its own SHPO to address the special character and needs of their state and complement the national program. In Georgia, the General Assembly authorizes or mandates a number of specific preservation programs such as a state property tax freeze, state rehabilitation grants, archaeology protection and stewardship of state-owned buildings.

Our Mission

The Historic Preservation Division's mission is to promote the preservation and use of historic places for a better Georgia.

Our Vision

Georgians will value historic places for the important roles they play in our social and economic lives. Property owners, local communities, and state agencies will possess the knowledge and the legal and financial tools to preserve their historic properties. The Historic Preservation Division will play a critical role as the state historic preservation office in increasing citizen engagement with the historic places that make the state unique including local landmarks, state historic sites, and national historic landmarks and sites. Through its education and citizen engagement programs, the Historic Preservation Division will help the Department instill a conservation ethic among Georgia citizens.

Additional Resources

Documents

Newsroom

Announcements

  • As part of their “State-of-the-State Historic Tax Credit” program, The National Trust for Historic Preservation has published a resource guide, webinar, and interactive tools that succinctly present program details for state historic tax credit programs across the country, along with tangible benefits the programs provide. By comparing program features nationwide, these new tools give policy makers, stakeholders, and advocates access to a breadth of options to develop and strengthen state historic tax credit incentives.

    The Georgia HPD contributed program information and examples of successful tax incentive projects in the state, particularly examples of resource conservation and positive impacts on affordable housing supply. Legislation establishing the State Income Tax Credit for Rehabilitated Properties was enacted in March 2002, with initial applications eligibility beginning in January 2004. Since then, Georgia has been a national leader in the use of tax incentives for the rehabilitation of historic properties, both residential and commercial.  

    Watch the Webinar: https://forum.savingplaces.org/viewdocument/state-historic-tax-credit-incentive

    Check out the Resource Guide and Data Center: https://forum.savingplaces.org/viewdocument/state-historic-tax-credit-resource

    For more information about the Tax Incentives for Rehabilitated Properties, please visit our website and check out our annual report !

  • The next Georgia National Register Review Board Meeting will be held on May 5, 2023 beginning at 10:00 am. A draft agenda for the meeting is available here.

    For further information contact Donald Rooney, National Register Specialist at Donald.Rooney@dca.ga.gov

     

    The Review Board will consider four nominations for listing on the Georgia Register of Historic Places.

    Augusta Warehouse and Compress Company; Augusta, Richmond County
     
     
    Buildings at 523-529 Stewart Avenue; Atlanta, Fulton County
     
     
    Capitol View Apartments; Atlanta, Fulton County
     
     
    Norris Hotel; Statesboro, Bulloch County
     
     
     
  • Notice of Intent to Adopt revised Rules for the Georgia State Income Tax Credit for Rehabilitated Historic Property Program, Historic Preservation Division, Department of Community Affairs.

    Pursuant to the Requirements of the Georgia Administrative Procedures Act, as amended, attached are the revised Rules for the Historic Preservation Division's State Income Tax Credit for Rehabilitated Historic Property Program. Also attached are a Notice of Intent form and a Summary of the proposed program rule amendments.

    Please note that a public hearing will be held virtually on July 26, 2022 at 11:30 AM. The link to this public hearing is below.

    Please note the Department of Community Affairs intends to act on the proposed rules at its meeting at 10:30 AM on August 10, 2022 which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.

     

    Join Meeting Click Here

  • The development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan is one of the responsibilities of each State Historic Preservation Office, as outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act. The Plan includes information about trends in Georgia and how they may affect historic properties; mission, vision and goals for historic preservation; information about Georgia's historic and archaeological resources, and about the statewide preservation planning process.

    The Georgia Historic Preservation Division has updated the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan (SHPP) as required every five years by the National Park Service. The 2022-2026 plan guides our work through 2026 and provides a common direction for all organizations and individuals who support the preservation of Georgia's historic places.  The plan can be found here: https://www.dca.ga.gov/georgia-historic-preservation-division/community-assistance/preservation-planning/state-historic

  • As part of the Department of Community Affairs, the Historic Preservation Division announced the addition of four new properties to the National Register of Historic Places. The achievement now brings the number of Georgia National Register Listing to eight in 2021. 

    With the National Register providing formal recognition of a property’s architectural, historical, or archaeological significance, properties will be considered in the planning of state or federally assisted projects. By showcasing the National Register Listing, HPD hopes to encourage the preservation of historic properties through public awareness, federal and state tax incentives, and grants.  

    The four properties are located in Chatham, Effingham, Fulton, and Upson County with each representing a historical significance of its town.  

    • Curry-Miller-Byrd Cottage, Chatham County: The now one-story cottage stands as a boarding house that once catered to Tybee Island’s growing demand for casual alternatives to the island’s higher-end hotels. It can be found with its original boarding-house floor plan intact and with only minimal alterations. 

    • Springfield Historic District, Effingham County: Centered in the city’s original 1821 gridded street plan, commercial and residential building type as well as architectural styles commonly found from the late 19th century can be seen. A historic county courthouse, monument, and two parks can also be found in the district.  

    • Methodist Cemetery, Fulton County: The historic property represents one of the oldest intact cemeteries in Roswell. The land on which the cemetery resides was once part of the Hickory Log District in the Cherokee Nation.

    • Silvertown Historic District, Upson County: Silvertown developed as part of the Martha Mills Division of the B.F. Goodrich Tire and Rubber Company beginning in the 1920s. It encompasses around 407-acres of recreational, commercial, industrial, and residential resources.  

    HPD’s programs include environmental review, grants, historic resource surveys, tax incentives, the National Register of Historic Places, community planning and technical assistance. To learn more about HPD and its mission to promote the preservation and use of historic places for a better Georgia, visit https://www.dca.ga.gov/georgia-historic-preservation-division.  

    About the Georgia Department of Community Affairs: 

    The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) partners with communities to create a climate of success for Georgia’s families and businesses through community and economic development, local government assistance, and safe and affordable housing. Using state and federal resources, DCA helps communities spur private job creation, implement planning, develop downtowns, generate affordable housing solutions, and promote volunteerism. DCA also helps qualified low- and moderate-income Georgians buy homes, rent housing, and prevent foreclosure and homelessness. For more information, www.dca.ga.gov.