PTC Heritage Committee hosts GA Department of Archives Conservator

By CAROLYN CARY
ccary@TheCitizenNews.com

The Peachtree City Historic Preservation Committee, recognizing the importance of preserving historical documents and sites, invited an expert to advise them.

Hilary A. Kaplan, conservator for the Georgia Department of Archives and History, offered her expertise on preservation.

"There are a number of reasons why we preserve," she said. "It could be for historical reasons, administrative, legal or fiscal reasons. One of the most important points you need to establish up front is the importance or pertinence of the items being saved.

"Don't allow yourself to become a dumping ground. Establish the kind of value the item has to your city. If there is none, politely turn the item away."

Gerry Holt, acting committee chairman, said she realized that Peachtree City is 45 years old and that on its 50th anniversary, the city becomes "historic."

"We need to begin collecting and preserving now. We need to determine where the items will be kept, its accessibility, and environment," she said.

City librarian M. T. Allen said that the Joel Cowan Room at the library had begun a collection of pertinent papers and collections a number of years ago. "With the proper environment and instructions on care and handling," she said, "the room would be a perfect beginning."

Holt said she would like to work out a training session on preservation, inviting local librarians and historians. "Everyone would benefit and we would be sure to begin preserving our local heritage in the proper way."

Kaplan left a folder on various do's and don'ts in preservation and said she would be glad to return to conduct the training session.

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page