Buckhead Events
Buckhead Heritage sponsors a variety of events throughout the year that relate to the history of Buckhead. Active Members are given priority of attendance, but most events will be open to the public when space is available. Join our E-vent email list by clicking here, and be the first to know what’s coming.
Upcoming Events
Speaker Series: Geri & Wade Coleman Sharing Memories about the Carters
Thursday, October 17th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Geri and Wade Coleman share “Personal Memoirs of the Carters”. They were both the Carters’ gubernatorial and presidential campaign managers in Valdosta for Lowndes County.
Everyone with a personal Carter story is invited to share it in our assembly following the Coleman’s presentation.
Peachtree Heights East: Movers, Shakers and Heartbreakers Walking Tour
Saturday, November 9th at 10am
Buckhead Heritage presents this tour in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center
Caleb Brown and Richard Waterhouse offer a fascinating tour of this hidden neighborhood near Peachtree Road and Lindbergh. With approximately 330 homes, Peachtree Heights East includes early 20th century American two-story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, and Ranch to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of these on the tour. The mile-and-a-half route is hilly and will last about an hour-and-a-half. We will meet at the Duckpond’s historical marker and stay on the road during the tour.
To register, please contact Executive Director Richard Waterhouse at rwaterhouse@
Speaker Series: Jeff Clemmons – Sharing the History of Westview Cemetery
Thursday, November 14th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
In 1884, several leading citizens purchased 577 acres to open Atlanta’s Westview Cemetery. The rolling terrain, part of which was a site in the Civil War battle of Ezra Church, became the final resting place for more than 125,000 people. Prominent locals buried here include Grant Park namesake L.P. Grant, author Joel Chandler Harris, High Museum benefactor Harriet High, Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler Sr., Havertys founder J.J. Haverty, and Civil Rights icons Donald Lee Hollowell and Rev. Joseph Lowery. The cemetery’s Westview Abbey mausoleum is one of the nation’s largest, with more than eleven thousand crypts. Throughout its history, Westview dabbled in other business ventures, including a cafeteria, a funeral home and an ambulance service. And for decades, the cemetery’s Westview Floral Company sold flowers to lot owners and local businesses, leading to its own advice column in the Atlanta Constitution. Author Jeff Clemmons traces the complete history of this treasured necropolis.
Speaker Series: Peter Sasgen – talking about his book Hellcats
Thursday, January 23rd, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
The story described in the book HELLCATS had a significant impact on a Buckhead family. One of our presenters is part of that family, and the other is the author.
A heart-stopping true tale of a submarine mission aimed at destroying Japan’s merchant marine lifeline and ending World War II. By 1945, the U.S. Navy’s submarine force in the Pacific had sunk over a thousand enemy cargo ships and tankers supplying the food, weapons, and oil Japan needed to continue to fight. Yet this once mighty merchant fleet continued to thrive in the Sea of Japan, where, protected from American submarines by a seemingly impenetrable barrier of deadly minefields, they provided a tenuous lifeline for the Japanese. Senior American commanders believed that if these enemy ships were sunk, Japan would be forced to surrender. Here is the incredible story of Operation Barney, the daring plot to penetrate those minefields and decimate the enemy fleet. The brainchild of the dedicated sub commander Vice Admiral Charles Lockwood, the mission would hinge on a new experimental sonar system that would, with luck, guide American submarines safely past the mines and into the open sea.
Speaker Series: Rick Allen presenting his book Reckoning with Race: An Unfinished Journey
**postponed to future date**
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
In his fifty-year career as an award-winning journalist, CNN commentator, and author of multiple books, Rick Allen has had a front-row seat on dramatic change in race relations in America. In Reckoning with Race, a collection of eighteen essays, he explores his ongoing efforts to understand the struggle of black and white Americans to navigate a shared history at once wicked and intimate, full of love and hate, as they seek to level an uneven playing field. Allen examines issues from the era of Reconstruction through Jim Crow, the Civil Rights movement, the rhythms of resistance and progress, into today’s contentious debates over redlining, reparations, and critical race theory.
Rick was a reporter and political columnist with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 1972 to 1987, when he joined CNN as chief analyst and commentator covering the 1988 presidential contest. His essays for the program “Inside Politics” earned CNN a Cable Ace Award, and Allen was cited as best political analyst by the editors of The Hotline.
Peachtree Heights East: Movers, Shakers and Heartbreakers Walking Tour
Saturday, September 28th at 10am
Buckhead Heritage presents this tour in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center
Caleb Brown and Richard Waterhouse offer a fascinating tour of this hidden neighborhood near Peachtree Road and Lindbergh. With approximately 330 homes, Peachtree Heights East includes early 20th century American two-story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, and Ranch to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of these on the tour. The mile-and-a-half route is hilly and will last about an hour-and-a-half. We will meet at the Duckpond’s historical marker and stay on the road during the tour.
Second Annual Summer FUN-raiser
Sunday, August 18th: 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Atlanta International School Auditorium
Guests are encouraged once again to bring a favorite small item of Buckhead memorabilia to display on the “Memory Lane Table” (maybe an ashtray from a former restaurant, a postcard, or a program from an event). There will be wine, beer, and other refreshments all afternoon along with a sit-down, “Summer Supper”, consisting of fried chicken and all the trimmings, topped off with a seasonal dessert.
Peachtree Heights East: Movers, Shakers and Heartbreakers Walking Tour
Saturday, July 20th at 2pm
Buckhead Heritage presents this tour in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center
Caleb Brown and Richard Waterhouse offer a fascinating tour of this hidden neighborhood near Peachtree Road and Lindbergh. With approximately 330 homes, Peachtree Heights East includes early 20th century American two-story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, and Ranch to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of these on the tour. The mile-and-a-half route is hilly and will last about an hour-and-a-half. We will meet at the Duckpond’s historical marker and stay on the road during the tour.
Speaker Series: Prolific Atlanta artist, Steve Steinman, recaps his 50-year career
Thursday, July 18th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Steve Steinman is celebrating 50 years as one of the city’s most prolific artists. Hear him speak on how he has integrated a range of mediums, from sculpture to photography, creating some of the city’s most enduring pieces, including the colorful repeating sculpture patterns viewed by millions who pass through the Buckhead Marta station, as well as the Monument to Slain Police Officers in Woodruff Park.
Originally from New Jersey, Steinman began pursuing art at an early age. Known for his quick wit and humor, one of his earliest accomplishments was winning a competition by satirically drawing a “Draw Me” match book in Andy Warhol style. He would go on to develop his talent at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and the Pratt Institute, where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees, before relocating to Atlanta to continue his career as both a working artist and an educator. Earning a doctorate in education from Capella University, Steinman also served as International Dean of the School of Design at the American InterContinental University in Buckhead, where he worked for 33 years.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Steve Steinman recap the key milestones of his career and the significant contributions he has made to the Atlanta community.
Speaker Series: Secret Atlanta: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
Thursday, June 20th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Back by popular demand, Jonah McDonald will talk about his book Secret Atlanta: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Beyond standard Atlanta tourist attractions, visitors and natives alike will find a city full of secrets – in history, art, culture, nature, and places that are just plain weird. Tour the most hidden spots in the metro, or see the famous sites through a new lens.
2024 Garden Party
Sunday, May 19th
Garden of Nancy & Joe Wilen
This year’s Garden Party was very successful. 5 Corporate Sponsors, 14 Patrons, 24 Host Committee Members, and 43 ticket holders supported us. 115 attendees participated and we raised over $30,000 so we can continue to fulfill our mission. We so appreciate Nancy and Joe Wilen for allowing us to use their beautiful garden.
Buckhead Heritage appreciates our sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor
Peachtree Hills Place
Gold Sponsor
Arrow Exterminators
Silver Sponsors
Ansley Real Estate – Hil Harper
Arbormedics
Home Real Estate – Kathy Olmstead
Patrons
Betsy and Scott Akers
Ann and John Beach
Suzette and Stan Brading
Robb Bunnen
Sherri and Jesse Crawford
Sandy and Dave Ferguson
Judy Gray
Mrs. Frank H. Maier, Jr.
Mrs. Sam Massell
Antonia and Wright Mitchell
Ginna Seitz
Dean and Bronson Smith
Lisa and John Snodgrass
Host Committee Members
Beckie and John Amos
Tamara and Ken Bazzle
Howard Benson
Margo Owens Boden
Marcie Brown
Dana and Tres Carpenter
Carol J. Clark
Bonnie and George Cooke
Marcia and John Donnell
Katharine and Alan Elsas
Buffie and Mark Feidler
Carol Grady
Penny and George Hart
John J. Kelley III
Lori and Thornton Kennedy
Alfred Kennedy and Bill Kenny
Alec Michaelides and Kenneth Lemm
Carter and Hampton Morris
Lee Morris and Marilyn Morgan
Sonny and Christy Morris
Mary and Felton Norwood
Becky and Mark Riley
Anne and David Stacy
Linda DeFoor Wickham
Speaker Series: Bobby Jones Then and Now: The Evolution of Atlanta Memorial Park
Thursday, May 16th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Child Hall – FREE
Atlanta Memorial Park went from being a long overlooked city park with fading facilities and constant flooding to one of the most popular in Atlanta in just a few years.
Learn how it happened, what’s happening now and what the future holds for Buckhead’s oldest park from the individuals who led the turnaround.
We’ll be joined by Marty Elgison, the President and Founder of the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation, Catherine Spillman, the Executive Director of the Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy, and Pete Pellegrini, the Senior Project Manager with the PATH Foundation. The distinguished panel will discuss how the legacy of one of the most influential figures in golf, a historic flood and the BeltLine converged to transform the 200-acre park.
Speaker Series: Thomas D. Hills
Thursday, April 18th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Our April Speaker will be Thomas D. Hills, a participant in State of Georgia governance and close observer of politics.
He witnessed the transition in early 2000’s from Democratic control of Governor’s office and both houses of the state legislature for 130 years until Sonny Perdue was elected Governor in 2002 and the political layout of Georgia changed “literally “ overnight. He set out to inculcate “bureaucracy with a business brain” into state government. Who were the “players” in that transition, what was “changed” and what was sustained? Many of the decisions made in the Perdue administration laid the foundation for some of the political changes and differences in the priorities of state government over the next several years and up to the current days.
Mr. Hills is a Native Atlantan. He was born at Piedmont Hospital and has been a resident of Buckhead for all of his adult life. He was Former Atlanta City President of Wachovia Bank – worked with that bank and predecessor (First Atlanta) 36 years. He was CFO State of Georgia 2003-2010 and State of Georgia Treasurer 2010 -2011. He is active on many community boards. He has a BA and MA in History and J.D. from Emory Law School. He is author of Red State Rising – Triumph of the Republican Party in Georgia published in 2009.
Speaker Series: Carolyn & Bill Curry
Caroyln’s book: Sudden Death
Bill’s book: Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle
Thursday, March 21st, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Child Hall – FREE
Dr. Carolyn Curry Ph.D. is an author, historian, and teacher. In 2014 she published Suffer and Grow Strong: The Life of Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas 1834-1907 which won Georgia Author of the Year Award and was selected as One of the Books All Georgians Should Read by the Center for the Book. In 2019 she published her first novel, Sudden Death, which is a murder mystery set in the world of football. Whether writing about the past or present, her primary interest is the well-being of women. She will discuss Sudden Death during the program.
In 2002, Carolyn also founded a non-profit foundation, Women Alone Together®, which she has directed for twenty years. Through seminars, book programs, and special events, the goal is to help women who are alone because of death of spouse, divorce from spouse, alone by choice, or alone because of separation, disease or estrangement, however, all women are invited.
Bill Curry has spent his entire adult life as a leader and communicator. His NFL career included two Super Bowl titles and a stint as the President of the NFL Players Association. Bill served as head football coach for Georgia Tech (’80-’86), the University of Alabama (’87-’89), and the University of Kentucky (’90-’96). In 1989, Bill was recognized as the nation’s top coach with the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year Award.
In June 2008, Bill was selected to be the inaugural head coach of Georgia State University’s new football program. Bill’s book – Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle – was released in August 2008 by ESPN books and was praised by author Pat Conroy as “the best book about the NFL” that he ever read. An updated tenth anniversary edition was just released in December 2018. Bill will talk about his book during the program.
Speaker Series: Nina and Jacob Elsas
The Legacy of Jacob Elsas: A Man’s Commitment to Atlanta
Thursday, February 15th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Nina and Jacob Elsas – Co-Founders of The Patch Works Art & History Center in Cabbagetown – will present “The Legacy of Jacob Elsas: A Man’s Commitment to Atlanta.” They will discuss his transition from a 19th-century, working-class European-Jewish immigrant into one of the United States’ most successful industrialists. Guests will hear how Jacob’s long-held beliefs defined his ultimate goal: to help reshape war-torn Atlanta into a world-class and competitive metropolis. His philanthropic efforts, many of which revolved around education and healthcare, continue to provide Atlantans with their services to this day.
Speaker Series: Sara A. H. Butler
Fortune and Folly: The Weird and Wonderful Life of The South’s Most Eccentric Millionaire
Thursday, January 25th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Sara A. H. Butler will talk about her new book Fortune and Folly: The Weird and Wonderful Life of the South’s Most Eccentric Millionaire. She will share the fascinating life of Asa Candler, Jr. including the Speedway and the Zoo. She will also show iconic places around the city that he had a hand in. The book will be available for sale and to be signed.
Sara A. H. Butler is director of product marketing at Cox Automotive. She lives in Roswell, Georgia.
2023 Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Home of Mary and Tom Watson
We are excited to announce that our 2023 Holiday Party, December 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., will carry on our tradition of cocktails, buffet, and music in the home of Mary and Tom Watson. Their home at 3181 Chatham Road is believed to have been built in 1940 by Frank G. Lake, the owner of Frank Lake Lumber. Previous owners were Marjorie and Hampton Daughtry, Gail and Ed Ettinger, and Karen and Byron Tsinikas. There have been numerous additions and renovations through the years including one by Norman Askins. Mary and Tom bought the house in 2004, did a major renovation designed by Keith Summerour and constructed by Ladisic Fine Homes in 2008. Landscaping was done by Alex Smith Garden Design, Ltd.
Speaker Series: Jeff Clemmons
Rich’s: A Southern Institution
Thursday, November 16th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Jeff Clemmons has a degree in business administration from Reinhardt University and a degree in creative writing and theater from Georgia State University. He created and conducts walking tours for the Atlanta Preservation Center, serves on the board of the East Point Historical Society, and is a cofounder of Marthasville, an Atlanta-based writing salon. In addition to writing two books – Rich’s: A Southern Institution and Atlanta’s Historic Westview Cemetery – and a screenplay, Jeff, along with three others, was nominated for an Emmy Award for producing Georgia Public Television’s “Rich’s Remembered.” He is currently at work on his third book, a biography of forgotten Atlanta avant-garde novelist Frances Newman, who gained national attention alongside Hemingway and others in the 1920s.
Speaker Series: David Moore
Buckhead Residents Buried at Oakland and Other Stories About the History of Oakland Cemetery
Thursday, October 19th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Speaker Series: Jim Langford
Standing Peachtree: What We Know and Don’t Know – Yet
Thursday, September 21st, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
James B. Langford serves as president of the Coosawattee Foundation, a non-profit organization he created in 1987 to promote the conservation of Native American occupation sites and related Indigenous lands. In that role and as president of the Society for Georgia Archaeology, he worked closely with multiple tribal groups to research and author two landmark pieces of legislation that protect human remains and culturally significant sites in Georgia. The Coosawattee Foundation also works to educate the public and dispel stereotypes about Native American cultures.
Mr. Langford is a frequent lecturer about the early inhabitants of Georgia. He is the author and co-author of academic research related to the Mississippian period and early Spanish contact in Georgia. His co-authored work on Mississippian period ceramics has been used for more than 30 years as the definitive research and laboratory ceramics guide for professional archaeologists and the general public.
Speaker Series: Don Rooney, co-author of “Lost Atlanta”
Thursday, August 17th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Don Rooney, who co-authored the book Lost Atlanta with Michael Rose and Paul Crater, looks at the cherished places of the city that time, tragedy, and progress have swept aside. In addition to demolished treasures, Lost Atlanta also investigates buildings and cityscapes that have changed function, design, style, or form.
Don Rooney is former Director of Exhibitions of the Atlanta History Center. He is currently National Register Specialist of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
2023 Summer FUN-raiser
On Sunday, August 13th, 2023, Buckhead Heritage will present its “Summer Fun-raiser” at the Atlanta International School Auditorium, 2890 N. Fulton Drive, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Come join us to see the fruits of Board Secretary, Frank Virgin’s research revealing old photographs of what was there “Then” juxtaposed with his photographs of what is there “Now”. You will also enjoy a trivia game which will challenge your knowledge of Buckhead’s significant heritage.
Guests are encouraged to bring a favorite small item of Buckhead memorabilia to display on the “Memory Lane Table” (maybe an ashtray from a former restaurant, a postcard, or a program from an event). There will be a full bar all afternoon along with a sit-down, “Summer Supper” of fried chicken with all the trimmings, topped off with a seasonal dessert.
We hope you will support this fundraiser by being a sponsor:
Host Committee $500
- Two tickets
- Additional tickets at member rates
- Invitation to the 2023 Donor Appreciation event in October
- Name listed on email invitations, on the Buckhead Heritage web site and event signage.
Patron – $750
- Patron receives two more tickets and all the above.
Tickets are available as well:
Non-member ($175.00)
Member ($150.00)
Speaker Series: Robert Ratonyi, “From Darkness into Light – My Journey through Nazism, Fascism, and Communism to Freedom”
Thursday, July 20th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Robert Ratonyi will talk about "From Darkness into Light – My Journey through Nazism, Fascism, and
Communism to Freedom.” He published a book on this subject as well in 2020. Click here to view the
book.
Robert is a childhood Holocaust survivor, born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1938. He grew up under
communist dictatorship and was a freshman at the Technical University of Budapest when he was
caught up in the bloody uprising in October, 1956 against the communist regime and the Russian forces
stationed in Hungary. After the Russians crushed the uprising he managed to escape to Austria and
eventually ended up as an immigrant in Montreal, Canada, in February, 1957.
As a child survivor of the Holocaust he is a regular speaker to Middle and High School students on behalf
of The Breman Holocaust Museum since 2011. He is also a regular speaker on behalf of the Georgia
Commission on the Holocaust, and speaks to educational institutions, churches and civic organizations
throughout Georgia.
Speaker Series: John Pruitt, Tell it True.
Thursday, June 15th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
John Pruitt will talk about his debut novel Tell it True. In the opening pages of his book, an African
American serviceman is gunned down on a rural Georgia road in July 1964. This shocking murder
ensnares a wide range of characters including the journalists who cover it, the lawmen who must solve
it, the civil rights leaders who capitalize upon it, the politicians who exploit it, and the Atlanta magnate
who fears its impact on the New South image he desperately wants to protect.
John Pruitt began his journalism career in 1964 as a television reporter-cameraman and eventually rose
to top anchor at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. For a half-century he covered the civil rights movement,
Georgia politics, and the major news figures of the day. His reporting has been honored with multiple
awards including induction into the Atlanta Press Club and Georgia Association of Broadcasters Halls of
Fame.
Speaker Series: Dan Chapman, A Road Running Southward: Following John Muir’s Journey Through an Endangered Land
Thursday, May 18th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Dan Chapman will talk about his new book A Road Running Southward: Following John Muir's Journey
Through an Endangered Land.
In 1867, John Muir set out on foot to explore the botanical wonders of the South, keeping a detailed
journal of his adventures as he traipsed from Kentucky southward to Florida. One hundred and fifty
years later, on a similar whim, veteran Atlanta reporter Dan Chapman, distressed by sprawl-driven
environmental ills in a region he loves, recreated Muir’s journey to see for himself how nature has fared
since Muir’s time.
Channeling Muir, he uses humor, keen observation, and a deep love of place to celebrate the South’s
natural riches. But he laments that a treasured way of life for generations of Southerners is endangered
as long-simmering struggles intensify over misused and dwindling resources. Chapman seeks to discover
how Southerners might balance surging population growth with protecting the natural beauty Muir
found so special. Copies of the book will be for sale at the lecture.
Walking Tour: Peachtree Heights East Movers, Shakers and Heartbreakers
Saturday, May 6th at 10am
Buckhead Heritage presents this tour in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center
Caleb Brown and Richard Waterhouse offer a fascinating tour of this hidden neighborhood near
Peachtree Road and Lindbergh. With approximately 330 homes, Peachtree Heights East includes early
20th century American two-story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, and Ranch
to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of these on the tour. The mile-and-a-half
route is hilly and will last about an hour-and-a-half. We will meet at the Duckpond’s historical marker
and stay on the road during the tour.
Speaker Series: Jim Morgens, History of the Beltline and it connection to Buckhead
Thursday, April 20th, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room
Come join us to hear about the history of the Belltline and its connection to Buckhead. Jim Morgens is a Life Member of the Georgia State Advisory Board of the Trust for Public Land and has served as chair of the board (2008-10). He helped seed the funding of the 2004 TPL Beltline study, “The Beltline Emerald Necklace” by Alex Garvin, and served on the study’s steering committee, and later served on the committee overseeing TPL’s acquisition of $44 million of property for the Beltline. Subsequently, he served on the board of the Atlanta Beltline Partnership (chair of the Finance Committee (2015-18)). Jim received an MBA degree from Harvard Business School in 1968 and a BA from Stanford University in 1965.
Speaker Series: Martha Tate, Why she spent 4 years pursuing the truth about a 50-year old society murder.
Thursday, March 23rd, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room
Come hear why Buckhead resident Martha Tate – longtime garden columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, co-creator and producer of the HGTV series A Gardener’s Diary, and former editor of Peachtree Papers, magazine of the Junior League of Atlanta–spent four years pursuing the truth about a 50-year-old society murder that rocked the wealthy enclave of Nashville’s Belle Meade and held the entire city spellbound for two years. This best-selling true-crime story took place in racially-charged Nashville, just weeks after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but its universal themes of greed and deceit are universal. The story could have taken place anywhe
Buckhead Heritage Participates in Phoenix Flies
Hidden Neighborhood: A Walking Tour of Peachtree Heights East
Saturday, March 18th at 10am
Discover former residents — including movie star Susan Hayward; Helen Douglas Mankin, the first female U.S. Congresswoman; and Hamilton Douglas, Jr., who established the first Boy Scout Troop in Atlanta — who quietly shaped Atlanta and beyond. The unique neighborhood, begun in 1909 by Eretus E. (“Petie”) Rivers, includes approximately 330 homes. Its house styles range from early 20th century American two story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor, Ranch to 21st century home styles. The tour includes a stop at the neighborhood’s beloved duck pond, which resides on 7.5 acres of green space and is home to more than 40 species of birds. Meet at 81 Lakeview Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.
AtlZoning 2.0: An update on the first comprehensive re-write of Atlanta’s 1982 Zoning Code with Mary Norwood
Thursday, February 16, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Speaker Series: Dr David Apple, History of Shepard Spinal Center
Thursday, January 19, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room
David F. Apple, Jr., M.D., served as medical director of Shepherd Center since the hospital’s inception in 1975 until 2005, and now holds the position of medical director emeritus. He will share with us the fascinating history of this incredible medical facility, which is such a vital part of Buckhead.
During the summer of 1996, Dr. Apple served as co-chair of the doping committee for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games and as chief medical officer of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. He was the team physician of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks for 30 years.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of Shepherd Center and has been the principal investigator on many grants concerned with spinal cord injuries. He and his wife Jane have four children.
2022 Award Winners
Winner of the 2022 Belle Turner Lynch Preservation Award: English and Matt Norman
John Beach, Past President, announced the award to English and Matt Norman, our hosts for this year’s Holiday Party. The Normans spent over 6 years restoring The Meredith House at 417 Hillside Drive, created an outstanding website dedicated to their efforts, and successfully listed the house on the National Register. Matt is an evangelist for local preservation, included giving a Buckhead Heritage Speaker Series lecture last year.
Winner of the 2022 Bob Helget Award for Outstanding Volunteerism: Ivan Allen, IV
Tamara Bazzle, Board Member Emeritus, announced the award to Ivan Allen, IV. Over many months, Ivan’s singular focus was working with neighbors of New Hope AME Church, members of Buckhead Heritage, foundations, and the general public to raise tens of thousands of dollars to complete the fencing surrounding the cemetery, restore existing monuments, and mark a large number of unmarked graves. This was an arduous, complicated, and sensitive effort. Ivan eventually worked with DL Henderson, an expert of African American cemeteries to help the congregation decide how they wanted to honor those buried in unmarked graves. This process is ongoing.
Ivan worked to ensure that Pastor David Richards and the members of New Hope AME Church knew that their wishes were paramount.
Ivan also worked closely with Beth Cook and Mike Ivey from PRUMC, which has a long history of volunteering at New Hope AME Church, in planning a major work day in the spring of 2021. He consulted closely with Ashley Shares of Oakland Cemetery to prioritize the restoration of monuments at New Hope Cemetery, and they had training sessions for volunteers who were interested in learning how to execute some monument restoration themselves.
Walking Tour: Peachtree Heights East Movers, Shakers and Heartbreakers
Saturday, December 3rd at 10am
Buckhead Heritage presents this tour in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center
Caleb Brown and Richard Waterhouse offer this tour of hidden neighborhood off Peachtree
With approximately 330 homes within this unique neighborhood, houses in Peachtree Heights East include early 20th century American two story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, and Ranch to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of those on the tour. The mile and a half route tour is hilly and the tour will last about an hour and a half. We ask participants to meet at the Duckpond historical marker and stay on the road during the tour.
To register, please contact Executive Director Richard Waterhouse at rwaterhouse@buckheadheritage.com or (404) 467-9447.
Speaker Series: Gordon Mathis, History of the Chattahoochee Brick Company
Thursday, November 17, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Gordon Mathis, Galloway School Head of Community Engagement, will talk about the history of the Chattahoochee Brick Company. It was located in North Atlanta, on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Founded by Atlanta Mayor James W. English in 1878, the company used extensive convict lease labor. It closed in 2011 and the city of Atlanta has just recently purchased the land.
Mr. Mathis has degrees from the University of the South and Georgia State University. He speaks extensively about art exhibitions at the High Museum of Art.
Harmony Grove Cemetery Clean-up
Sunday, October 23, 2022 10:00am – 12:00pm
If you are interested in participating in this cemetery clean-up, please bring garden items: rake, clippers, gloves, and leaf bags. You may also want to bring some bottled water.
Buckhead Heritage’s work toward the rehabilitation of Harmony Grove Cemetery, located at the southwest corner of West Paces Ferry and Chatham roads, was awarded the 2009 Preservation Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. For more Information on this cemetery, please go to our website by clicking here.
Mount Olive Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony
Sunday, October 9, 5:00 pm
Buckhead Home
Free
Frankie Allen Park, 100 Bagley St NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Join Buckhead Heritage at Mt. Olive Cemetery for a Wreath Laying Ceremony, accompanied by a new poem about Black Buckhead from Atlanta’s poet laureate Pearl Cleage, and a performance from OKCello.
Remarks will be by:
- Camille Russell Love, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
- Pastor David F. Richards III of New Hope AME Church
- Atlanta City Council member Howard Shook
- Charlotte Margolin, Buckhead Heritage Board President,
- Elon Butts Osby, Granddaughter of William and Ida Bagley.
This ceremony is the closing event of ELEVATE: OPEN SPACES which has been taking place on weekends from September 16 through October 9 in some of Atlanta’s most interesting and beautiful places, from parks and patios to galleries, museums, and performance venues in communities across Atlanta.
Mount Olive Cemetery is one of the last remnants of Buckhead’s African American heritage. Mount Olive Methodist Episcopal Church (founded 1870) was located where the office building is now. The church’s congregation was made up of former slaves. Over several decades a community of over 400 residents grew around it and thrived. In 2020, Atlanta City Council passed a resolution making Buckhead Heritage caretaker of the cemetery.
Book Club Meeting: A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe
Wednesday, September 21, 6:30pm
Buckhead Home
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Walking Tour: Peachtree Heights East Movers, Shakers and Heartbreakers
Saturday, September 10th at 10am
Buckhead Heritage presents this tour in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center
Caleb Brown and Richard Waterhouse will offer a fascinating tour of this hidden neighborhood near Peachtree Road and Lindbergh.
With approximately 330 homes within this unique neighborhood, houses in Peachtree Heights East include early 20th century American two story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, and Ranch to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of those on the tour. The mile and a half route tour is hilly and the tour will last about an hour and a half. We ask participants to meet at the Duckpond historical marker and stay on the road during the tour.
Speaker Series: Dr. Matthew Norman, “One Developer’s Trash is Our Treasure: Matt Norman and the Kenneth and Hazel Meredith House”
Thursday, August 18, 7pm
Cathedral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Dr. Matthew Norman will talk about his painstaking preservation and restoration of the Meredith House. Designed by architect James C. Wise and built in 1938, the two-story brick home occupies a wooded 3.5-acre property. It is located in the Chastain Park neighborhood and includes a garage/servants’ quarters, an original stone barbecue pit and patio, and substantial remnants of William L. Monroe’s landscape. Dr. Norman will share the history of the house, the process of having it listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and offer insight into local residential preservation.
Speaker Series: Elon Osby, History of Bagley Park and Mount Olive Cemetery
Thursday, July 21, 7pm
Catherdral of Saint Phillip, Gould Room – FREE
Elon Osby, Buckhead Heritage Board Member, will talk about Bagley Park and Mount Olive Cemetery which is where Franklin Allen Park is located today.
Bagley Park, was named after one of its well-known and respected residents, William Bagley, who was considered the “mayor” of Bagley Park. He was also the grandfather of Elon’s. Mount Olive Methodist Episcopal Church (founded 1870) was located where the LandPlus building is currently located. The church’s congregation was made up of former slaves and domestic workers to Buckhead’s wealthy residents, and over the next few decades, Bagley Park was a thriving community of over 400 residents. The only part of this thriving community left is Mount Olive Cemetery. Elon will share memories of Bagley Park and Mount Olive Cemetery and explain what happened to the neighborhood and community in the late 1940s—early 1950s.
Walking Tour: Peachtree Heights East Movers, Shakers and Heartbreakers
Saturday, July 2, 10am
Buckhead Heritage presents this tour in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center
Caleb Brown and Richard Waterhouse will offer a fascinating tour of this hidden neighborhood near Peachtree Road and Lindbergh.
With approximately 330 homes within this unique neighborhood, houses in Peachtree Heights East include early 20th century American two story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, and Ranch to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of those on the tour. The mile and a half route tour is hilly and the tour will last about an hour and a half. We ask participants to meet at the Duckpond historical marker and stay on the road during the tour.
To register, please contact Executive Director Richard Waterhouse at rwaterhouse@buckheadheritage.com or (404) 467-9447.
Speaker Series: Edward Hatfield, New Georgia Encyclopedia Buckhead Entries
June 16, 7pm
St Philip Cathedral Gould Room
2744 Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA 30305
Edward Hatfield, The University of Georgia, New Georgia Encyclopedia, Managing Editor, will talk about the purpose of the New Georgia Encyclopedia. He will lead participatory discussion of what the group might include in a Buckhead entry – how would it address the area’s development, built environment, history, and local landmarks?
He has a Ph.D. History, Emory University, a M.A. History, University of Georgia, and a B.A. History, Centre College.
June 12, 2022 Garden Party
3:00 – 6:30 pm at the Swann Garden
Buckhead Heritage so appreciates you support of our 2022 Garden Party at the charming garden of Debbie and Don Swann. We had 84 participants and raised over $16,000.00 Special thanks to our Sponsors listed below and the Programs and Events Committee, under the leadership of Fay Pearce.
Presenting Sponsor
Arrow Exterminators
Patrons
Ann and John Beach
Sherri and Jesse Crawford
Elizabeth and Mark Feidler
Sandy and Dave Ferguson
Mrs. Frank H. Maier, Jr.
Charlotte and Bob Margolin
Antonia and Wright Mitchell
Mary Lu and Wade Mitchell
Ann and Fay Pearce
Host Committee
Beckie and John Amos
Tamara and Ken Bazzle
Margo and Bill Boden
Amanda and Greg Gregory
Penny and George Hart
Alfred Kennedy and Bill Kenny
Lee Morris and Marilyn Morgan
Clair M. Muller
Mary and Felton Norwood
Blair and James Robbins
Linda Defoor Wickham
Pamela Isdell
Book Club Gathering: Unique Eats and Eateries of Atlanta
Wednesday May 11, 7pm
Mathieson Lofts
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Buckhead Heritage’s Walking Tour of Peachtree Heights East
May 7, 2022 10 – 11:30 am
Requires Registration – Free for Buckhead Heritage Members
Tour will start at the Peachtree Heights East Historical Marker located on Lakeview Avenue near the Duck Pond.
Buckhead Heritage Executive Director Richard Waterhouse and Caleb Brown will offer a fascinating tour of this hidden neighborhood near Peachtree Road and Lindbergh Drive. With approximately 330 homes within this unique neighborhood, houses in Peachtree Heights East range from early 20th century American two story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, Mission Revival, and Ranch to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of those on the tour. The mile and a half tour route is very hilly and the tour will last about an hour and a half. We ask participants to stay on the road during the tour. This tour is being given in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center. To register please contact rwaterhouse@buckheadheritage.com. This tour may fill, so please register early!
Speakers Series April 2022: The Texas by Hal Raper
April 26, 7 pm
Atlanta History Center 130 W Paces Ferry Rd, Atlanta GA 30305
Hal Raper, a train docent at the Atlanta History Center, will talk about a Buckhead Treasure, the Civil war locomotive TEXAS. Hal will share with Buckhead Heritage the history of the engine, Its role in the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase, how it came to Buckhead, and a bit about how it operates. Our members will know why the steam engine goes CHOO, CHOO, CHOO, CHOO and if time permits how to make it chug down the tracks.
Piney Grove Cemetery Cleanup Project
April 9, 2022 11am
834 Canterbury Rd, Atlanta Ga 30324, Off Lenox Road
Piney Grove Cemetery off Lenox Road is an historic African American grave site established in the 1820s. The Piney Grove Baptist Church, which once stood in front of the cemetery, dated back to 1827. It suffered structural damage and was demolished in 1996. Buckhead Heritage has supported an active group of descendants and others interested in the restoration of this historical site. The group is restoring this final resting place for the more than 300 souls buried there, some of which were slaves, allowing them to rest with dignity. Their ultimate goal is designation as a historic place by the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery is located at 834 Canterbury Rd, Atlanta Ga 30324 off Lenox Rd. The group maintains a Facebook page for cemetery news, and to help with the project please contact Audrey Collins for more information at 404-906-9465 or audrey.collins@comcast.net.
Spring 2022 Patrons Party
Sunday April 3, 3 – 5:30 pm
This is a private Buckhead Heritage Patrons only event to thank our members at the $250 and higher Patrons levels for their continued support. There is no cost for the event, and we will be touring a private museum not open to the public, while enjoying food and drinks. Members at this level will receive mailed info and email reminders for the event time and location. Please contact Richard Waterhouse at the office with questions.
New Hope AME Church Cemetery Clean Up
Saturday, April 2, 9 – 12 noon
3012 Arden Rd, Atlanta 30305
New Hope AME Church will be hosting its Spring cemetery clean-up day on Saturday, April 2, 2022. from 9 a.m.to 12 noon, For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Richard Waterhouse at (404) 467-9447 or rwaterhouse@buckheadheritage.com. The clean-up day is in conjunction with Peachtree Road United Methodist Church’s Great Day of Service.
Speaker Series: Ancestry and Lineage Societies, Ken Thomas and Christy Morris
Thursday March 24, 7pm
Peachtree Hills Place Auditorium
(2253 Virginia Place at Peachtree Hills Ave, Atlanta, GA 30305)
Ken Thomas, AJC Genealogy Columnist, will talk about researching your genealogy and how to us DNA kit information.
I’ve got my DNA results on-line, what’s next?!!” Ken’s program is interactive with the guests asking him questions. He will be showing a DNA test results page from Family Tree DNA. He walks you through the process and shows how known/unknown relatives show up on a personal page, and the percentages of ethnicity results on a world map.
Ken and Christy Morris will also discuss lineage societies like DAR and the genealogy research needed for these groups.
March Book Club: Hidden History of Old Atlanta by Mark Pifer
March 16, 2022 7 pm Free
Mathieson Exchange Lofts
The next book club discussion will be Hidden History of Old Atlanta by Mark Pifer. We have asked the author to join us. Old Atlanta may conjure images of southern belles and Civil War ruination, but the full story stretches back millennia, even before the first known residents arrived five thousand years ago. From centuries of Native American settlements that ended with the removal of the Creeks to the rough-and-ready pioneer days, the area was rich in history long before it was called Atlanta. Author Mark Pifer unfolds a complex saga, including forgotten details from the struggles of African Americans and new immigrants, while noting modern locations bursting with tales that predate the City in the Forest’s rise amid the treetops.
Buckhead Heritage’s Walking Tour of Peachtree Heights East
Phoenix Flies Event with Atlanta Preservation Center
March 12, 2022 10 – 11:30 am
Free Event – Requires Registration
Tour will start at the Peachtree Heights East Historical Marker located on Lakeview Avenue near the Duck Pond.
Buckhead Heritage Executive Director Richard Waterhouse and Caleb Brown will offer a fascinating tour of this hidden neighborhood near Peachtree Road and Lindbergh Drive. With approximately 330 homes within this unique neighborhood, houses in Peachtree Heights East range from early 20th century American two story four-square, Craftsman Bungalow, Cape Cod, Tudor Revival, Mission Revival, and Ranch to 21st century home styles. We will see examples of several of those on the tour. The mile and a half tour route is very hilly and the tour will last about an hour and a half. We ask participants to stay on the road during the tour. This tour is being given in partnership with Atlanta Preservation Center. To register please contact rwaterhouse@buckheadheritage.com. This tour may fill, so please register early!