By Henry Bryant
The Atlanta Preservation Center’s 18th annual award-winning event, Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Atlanta’s Historic Sites, is currently taking place through Sunday, March 28. The Porch Press posted details about the event last month on Facebook, but there is still time to take advantage of the offerings since this issue may arrive at your doorstep before April 1. Due to the pandemic, Phoenix Flies 2021 will be a smaller and different celebration from previous years. Events this year have been a mix that includes in-person tours following social distancing protocols as well as pre-recorded and live virtual tours and presentations. A majority of the in-person events will take place outdoors and some partners will offer both in-person and virtual options. Some past partners who have opted out of this year’s celebration due to COVID concerns remain involved in the program as “Partner Spotlights.”
The three-week event celebrating Atlanta’s cultural and historic resources is a showcase that involves over 50 participating Preservation Partners offering close to 100 separate events all over the city, including quite a few in the Porch Press neighborhoods. The activities are all available to the public free of charge.
Virtual lectures and presentations include the University of Georgia’s Hargrett Library exhibit on state convict labor, the Rialto Center’s 100-year retrospective film, a history of Oglethorpe University, South Downtown’s history and current redevelopment, a forum on current preservation projects in the Atlanta metro region, old house maintenance tips, an overview of the Atlanta Studies Network, and historical overviews on U.S. currency and Civil War photography.
All events are free to the public but in some cases reservations or registration are required. Details are available at the Atlanta Preservation Center website at www.atlantapreservationcenter.com/phoenix_flies, or contact the Center at 404-688-3353 or phoenixflies@preserveatlanta.com.
The Atlanta Preservation Center serves as the city’s private non-profit preservation organization. It was founded in 1979 to promote the preservation of Atlanta’s architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings, neighborhoods, and landscapes through education and advocacy. The Center’s walking tours of historic neighborhoods and sites, school programs, workshops and the Phoenix Flies annual celebration illustrate the value of protecting and reusing Atlanta’s landmark buildings. To learn more about its work, visit www.atlantapreservationcenter.com.
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