Release:
ATLANTA, March 18—The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is pleased to announce the sale of the Little House in Louisville, Ga. to Kevin and Laine Berry, who will be rehabilitating the historic residence. Severely deteriorated and vacant for many years, the house was sold through the Trust’s Revolving Fund program, which works to save historic buildings across the state by providing effective alternatives to demolition or neglect of architecturally and historically significant properties by promoting their rehabilitation and monitoring their preservation in perpetuity.
Located a block from Louisville’s historic commercial district, the Little House is a rare grand example of residential Gothic Revival construction in Georgia. Believed to have been built in the mid-19th century with a significant alteration to its current style in 1876, the 5,200 square-foot house sits on two-thirds of an acre and features remarkable detailing inside and out.
The house maintains many of its original details including a dramatic central stair with a curved handrail, fireplace mantels, 15-foot ceilings, etched glass transoms over interior doors, and full height windows that open onto a full wrap-around porch.
“The Georgia Trust is so pleased to have saved the Little House and to have found such great buyers in Laine and Kevin Berry. We want to thank the Louisville Downtown Development Authority and countless others who were involved in making this happen. The new homeowners have previous experience in rehabilitating older homes, and we have great faith in their abilities to transform this architecturally significant house,” said Georgia Trust President and CEO Mark C. McDonald.
About the Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund Program
The Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund Program was established in 1990 to provide effective alternatives to demolition or neglect of architecturally and historically significant properties by promoting their rehabilitation and enabling owners of endangered historic properties to connect with buyers who will rehabilitate their properties.
The Georgia Trust accomplishes this goal by either accepting property donations or by purchasing options on endangered historic properties. The properties are then marketed nationally to locate buyers who agree to preserve and maintain the structures. Protective covenants are attached to the deeds to ensure that the historic integrity of each property is retained, and purchasers are required to sign rehabilitation agreements based on the work to be performed on the structure.
About the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation
Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.
As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust recognizes preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and oversees the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit georgiatrust.org.
