HUD PARTNERS WITH PRESERVE AMERICA INITIATIVE IN FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA
Fayetteville, GA becomes one of 521 designated communities and receives grant for $31,000

FAYETTEVILLE, GA - At an event held today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Atlanta Regional Director Bob Young awarded Fayetteville, Georgia, the designation of a Preserve America Community and presented Fayetteville Mayor Ken Steele a ceremonial Preserve America check for $31,000. Joining HUD Atlanta Regional
Director Bob Young and Mayor Steele was Fayetteville City Council; State Historic Preservation Office; and other
local leaders.

In an effort to promote the Preserve America initiative and preserve historic communities, HUD has partnered with
the Advisory Council, other federal agencies, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the President's Council on Environmental Quality, and the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. First Lady Laura Bush is the honorary chair of Preserve America. To date, 521 communities have been designated as Preserve America communities.

"Preserve America Communities, neighborhoods, and grant recipients know the importance of historic preservation
to the economic, educational, esthetic, and cultural life of America, as well as to their residents, their visitors, and especially to their children," said HUD Atlanta Regional Director Bob Young. "The citizens of Fayetteville, Georgia, do
a great job of preserving and promoting their heritage."

The funds awarded today were provided for the Heritage Wayfinding Signage, Informational Kiosk and Walking Tour Brochure for the Historic Main Street District in Fayetteville. This interpretive project will promote heritage tourism efforts and help identify the historical and cultural resources located within the historic main street district of Fayetteville, Georgia.

Fayetteville, Georgia was a pioneer in historic preservation in America, as is evident by their preservation work in
the historic downtown square and Main Street District. Two groups that have been instrumental in preserving the city's heritage through renovation of historic properties include Fayetteville Main Street and the Downtown Development Authority. Fayetteville was designated as a Main Street City in 1996 and the DDA was formed in 1995. Their projects include renovating the 1888 Historic Train Depot into the city's Welcome Center and special events facility, renovating and establishing the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum and moving and renovating the 1906 Historic Hollingsworth House as a special events facility.

Other historic efforts include the dedication by Georgia Historical Society for a Historical Marker honoring the late Georgia Governor Hugh M. Dorsey at Fayetteville City Hall. Additionally the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife Museum was
awarded a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum is a Greek revival antebellum-style house built in 1855. It shares an association with several well-known personalities such as Doc Holliday, Margaret Mitchell and former Governor Dorsey and houses several Gone with the Wind artifacts. Across the street, Mrs. Mitchell's
great grandparents, Philip and Eleanor Fitzgerald, are laid to rest in the historic City Cemetery along with other notable personalities.

Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the
country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

"In addition to governments, the private sector - businesses, philanthropic groups, historical organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens - also have a crucial role to play. Public-private partnerships are
already supporting excellent preservation work throughout our country, and they'll be vital to preserving our
national treasures in the years ahead," said Mrs. Bush.

For further information on the Preserve America initiative go to: www.preserveamerica.gov.

For local information contact: Nancy Price, (770) 719-4175.
For further information contact: Linda Allen, HUD Public Affairs, (404) 331-5001 ext. 2012.

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