THOMASVILLE — The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, in partnership with The 1772 Foundation, recently awarded Thomasville Center for the Arts with a $10,000 historic preservation grant.
The center was one of 10 private non-profit organizations in Georgia to receive a one-for-one matching grant to support maintenance of historic sites, the center said in a press release. The center was awarded the maximum amount as a result of a competitive grant process.
The center’s current home on East Washington Street originally opened as East Side School in 1915 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The $10,000 grant funds were combined with a Cultural Facilities Grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts to complete several major projects, the arts center said. The improvements included replacing rotting window soffits, reglazing the center’s iconic fanlight paned windows, repainting all exterior trim on the building, and replacing several cracked windows. Additional protection against the elements, such as mold-resistant paint, was used to provide greater long-term protection.
The center’s executive director, Erin Wolfe Bell, expressed her gratitude for the funding.
“We are honored to receive this grant to support the maintenance and preservation of our facility,” she said. “Our building is a much loved community asset, not only as Thomasville’s current hub for arts and culture, but as an important piece of Thomasville’s history for over a century.”
The historic, 36,000-square-foot facility is utilized year-round not only by the center, but also by Thomasville Entertainment Foundation, South Georgia Ballet, and many other local organizations.
With its fresh, new appearance, the center looks forward to offering many expanded and enhanced programs beginning in August. New classes and workshops for adults, children, and families will be at the center of its lineup. More information on exhibitions and events can be found at thomasvillearts.org.