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LOCAL BUZZ National Preservation Month MAY IS A SPECIAL MONTH for Historic Macon Foundation — and for preservationists across the country. It's National Preservation Month, a time when local preservation groups, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations celebrate the social and economic benefits of historic preservation with events that highlight historic places and the people who look after them. Preservation Month actually began as National Preservation Week in 1973. A presidential proclamation designating the occasion said in part, "As the pace of change accelerates in the world around us, Americans more than ever need a lively awareness of our roots and origins in the past on which to base our sense of identity in the present and our directions for the future." That statement is even more true today. In 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation extended the celebration to the entire month of May to provide more opportunities to recognize the diverse heritage of our country's cities and states. This year's Preservation Month theme is "People Saving Places," a salute to those who are doing the great work of saving places — in ways big and small — and inspiring others to do so too. Historic Macon is a national leader when it comes to community revitalization through preservation efforts. Look no further than the Beall's Hill neighborhood near Mercer University, where Historic Macon has worked with several partners for nearly 20 years. Historic Macon has led the state in the number of historic tax credit projects and has helped rehabilitate dozens of properties in Macon's historic districts in recent years. Macon has a wide array of historic structures from all periods and styles. Building by building, neighborhood by neighborhood, we are helping transform Macon, and our historic structures are finding new uses. That's why we're proud to say "Macon is Preservation." Historic Macon will celebrate preservation during May with a series of events, including its annual meeting and Preservation Awards. Those awards recognize ambitious projects and honor members of the community who lead by example in preserving, restoring, or rehabilitating a property. And it's a great time to become a member of Historic Macon to help us reach our goal of 200 new members in observance of Macon's 200th birthday. Look under the "Support" heading on our website, historicmacon.org. Here are Historic Macon's major events during Preservation Month in May: • Thursday, May 4: annual meeting and Preservation Awards, JBA, 425 Cherry St. • Friday, May 12: Preservation Pub Crawl with Rock Candy Tours (and in partnership with NewTown Macon), 6 - 8 p.m. First stop is the Rookery. • Monday, May 15: Sidney's Salon: "Macon Turns 100, and Things Get Weird: Native History in Centennial Celebrations." Reception at 5:30 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m., HMF office, Fire Hall No. 4, 950 Third St. • Tuesday, May 23: Major Donors reception. • Friday, May 26: Preservation Walking Tour with Elliot Fernandez. — HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION PICTURED: HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION'S 2022 ANNUAL MEETING AT GRANT'S LOUNGE. 32 maconmagazine.com | APRIL/MAY 2023