Logo by David Sellers
BYRON HERBERT REECE SOCIETY
Brief History of the Farm Development
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Logo by David Sellers |
BYRON HERBERT REECE SOCIETY Brief History of the Farm Development |
Directory
Mission Statement & Broad Goals
Byron Herbert Reece Society Bylaws
Officers, Board of Directors & Advisory Council
Sites to Visit and Other Links
Notes from Family, Friends & Literary Admirers
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Let’s start with the acquisition of the land from the Reece family in 1987 by what was then called the Brasstown Bald Interpretive Association. 4.46 acres were purchased from T.J. Reece, administrator for Eva Mae Reece, Ms. Katherine Lane, and Ms. Jean Rispoli. Also, the adjoining tract of 4.78 acres was purchased from T.J. Reece. The persons named here were siblings of Byron Herbert Reece. These purchases were initiated by James E. Mathis, Sr. on behalf of the Brasstown Bald Interpretive Association (later renamed the Chattahoochee-Oconee Forest Interpretive Association) (COFIA) for the purpose of making it available to the US Forest Service to develop into a working farm interpretive center. Because of financial restraints within the Forest Service, this never happened. Realizing that COFIA would never have the resources to develop the farm into an interpretive center, other options were explored. Through Garland Reynolds, President of the Friends of GA State Parks & Historic Sites, Burt Weerts, the director of the Department of State Parks & Historic Sites, was contacted to determine if the State might be interested in developing the farm as a Historic Site. Bert was very much interested in the State developing the farm, and in October of 2002 a group gathered at Brasstown Valley Resort for a press conference, at which time the Chattahoochee-Oconee Forest Interpretive Association presented the farm to the Department of State Parks and Historic Sites to be developed as a Historic Site perpetuating the literary and cultural legacy of Byron Herbert Reece, Georgia’s greatest Appalachian poet, writer and intellect, and as a treasure to NE Georgia’s history and tourism. Unfortunately Burt retired as director and state revenues decreased, causing the department to release the property back to the Interpretive Association. But as a result of our partnership with the State Parks, a friends group was formed similar to other state parks like the Friends group at Vogel State Park, and Dr. John Kay, retired Young Harris College professor, was recruited to organize the Byron Herbert Reece Society. This Society began functioning in July 2003 with Dr. Kay as its chair. The need now was to find an owner/developer of the farm. Dr. Kay appointed a Farm Development Committee, chaired by Fleming Weaver, and this group developed a plan to move forward with the development of the farm venue. At the suggestion of Ben Hulsey, Director of the GA Mountains Region Development Center and a working member of the Reece Society Advisory Council, it was determined that if the Interpretive Association (COFIA) donated the property to Union County and they in turn leased it to the Reece Society through the county Development Authority for a period of fifty years, we would be able to apply for and receive state and federal monies through the Union County ownership as well as private funds through the Reece Society. Lamar Paris, Union County Commissioner and Vice Chair of the Reece Society, agreed to and enthusiastically supported this arrangement. This proposal was approved by COFIA, and on June 5, 2004 at an on site ceremony, the property was deeded to Union County and a fifty year lease was granted to the Byron Herbert Reece Society. The services of Garland Reynolds, FAIA, of Reynolds Architects of Gainesville, GA, were engaged as the board approved architect, and he designed the Reece Farm Venue that was also approved by the Reece Society Board of Directors. A Master Plan was established, and a Planned Giving program has been included to recognize contributors to the three million dollar Venue Development, including an Endowment Trust budget item for maintenance and operations. Donations and improvements to date include: First, the donation of the property by COFIA and a small house and land located at the entrance of the property by a relative of the Reece family. Additionally, $50,000 from United Community Bank in Blairsville, GA, a major in-kind donation by Union County to clear the land of its major undergrowth and other services resulting in over 3,000 person hours; the pro bono services of both architectural and civil engineering work to date; the construction of the working entrance to the farm by Georgia DOT; the relocation of the power lines by Blue Ridge Mountains EMC that cross the entire length of the farm; the countless hours provided by the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center in grant development services; the greatly reduced cost in relocating the historic Reece Studio to a safe location; the cataloging of 67 antique items of farm implements retrieved from the barns and their relocation to a safe haven by the Union County Historical Society; the securing and safe storage of a significant collection of Reece’s belongings for research and display at the Visitors Center; and the relocation of the home built by Reece for his parents to the original site of the first home. This entailed the donation of 45 Tons of #57 stone, a $2,000 contribution of concrete, a house mover, grading of the basement, and a “French Drain” installed to drain a spring uncovered by the basement excavation. This structure will be restored as our Visitors/Welcome Center.
In addition to donations, the Reece Farm Development has been successful
through the efforts of John Philips of the GA Mountain Region
Development Center, in securing a $50,000 matching grant from the
Appalachian Region Commission. This grant money and the match has been
used for the restoration of the three historic barns located on the
property, and they will house the interpretive setting for the
Appalachian Farm Culture found in the Georgia Mountains in the early
1900’s. We have also received a second ARC Grant for $50,000 which must
be matched with $50,000. This grant is for the design and implementation
of the Educational Exhibits for the Farm Buildings. The design phase has
been completed and the implementation phase will begin when we have a
caretaker on site for security.
Union County has been successful in securing a Georgia Department of Transportation, Transportation Enhancement Grant in the amount of $671,000 with a 25 percent match required and a One Georgia Grant for $175,000 designated for the renovation of the Visitors Center. As soon as the GA Department of Transportation approves our site plan, these two grants can be accessed. Because of the combined grass roots support of ALL the groups and individuals of northeast Georgia, both public and private, this educational, cultural. Historic and tourist venue WILL be successful. Updated 5/6/08
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