Letter From the President
My connection with the Trust from my early days in Americus began with my frequent ad hoc meetings at Floyd’s in the Windsor Hotel with then members of the Sumter Historic Trust board. It definitely helped develop me into someone who loves Americus, and I fell in love with the Lee Council House during my first visit to a Spring Party. I loved the story about the transformation from the Elks Club, and I listened to the people who literally scraped paint and performed other tasks to turn it into what we have today. Because of this, I’ve always felt my first duty to the Trust is to protect and maintain the Lee Council House. With the new interior paint job, I have never seen it look better.
We have other important projects as well. Charles Crisp had a vision several years ago that we should be in the business of preservation in the historic district, and he has led his committee to complete several high-profile projects in the past. Recently, he refocused the committee’s vision to purchase or accept historic properties, try to stabilize them, and convince local investors to finish the projects. I think the progress, and continuing progress, on South Jackson Street will prove his committee is making changes that are important to the preservation of the historic district in Americus.
Professor Glenn Robins is leading the Education and Outreach Committee to re- establish “History Camp” during the summer break from school. He presented his plan to the Board last meeting, and the combination of learning about Sumter County and fun activities for the kids will certainly mean continued success for the program after a 4-year hiatus.
One of my severest critics on the Board, Amber Stovall, is putting together a newly revamped Spring Party on April 27. Instead of a picnic, she is planning an evening of live music, silent auction, and fun that will run from 7 to 10 pm. Tickets are $30 each.
Hailey Henderson is taking over long-time pool guru James Edgemon running the pool in the back of the Lee Council House. This is a very important project for us because we have a really large pool in our backyard, and it would cost a fortune to fill it in. Additionally, it has been a very important conduit to get younger people to become active in the Trust while also taking over the expenses of the pool. It was closed last year while we were considering our options, and by a large margin, opening it is good for the Trust.
The Council Club, a monthly group who met at the Lee Council House, decided to change gears and stop meeting as of this spring. Over the years, they have been very supportive by contributing an ice maker and hundreds of memberships that provided the Trust with financial support. The Council Club generously donated all of their remaining funds to the Trust. We have decided to begin a speaker series in their honor with the first event to be held in June. Details for this event will be forthcoming.
Our biggest event this year will be the Georgia Trust “Ramble” October 11th, 12th, and 13th . Amber, Charles and I visited the Ramble in Madison this past Fall. I expected most of the crowd to be from Atlanta but was surprised at the number of people who attended coming from as far away as Portland, Oregon. This is the 4 th Ramble we have hosted over 40 years, and the organizers are confident that we could have 400 to 500 guests visit Americus during the event in October. We need more venues and volunteers, and I hope we can count on many of you to help.
I hope you will consider supporting the Sumter Historic Trust.
-John Stovall, Sumter Historic Trust President
Lee Council House Update
As we welcome the New Year, we often reflect on what happened in the previous year. Well, for the Lee Council House, 2023 was a particularly busy one! As with years past, the LCH hosted its share of weddings, parties, graduation celebrations, a prom, engagement parties, and many other spectacular events.
It was also a year of getting some much-needed work completed on the House. As many of you know, maintaining a 100+ year old historic property is not for the faint of heart. It is a job that you must be passionate about or else it could drive you crazy (maybe that has already happened?!).
Various projects completed include repairs to the roof, leaks sealed, rotted wood replaced, construction of a new handicapped assessable ramp, pocket doors restored to their original functionality and most notably – the entire interior of the House was painted from top to bottom! We are all over the moon excited about this as it really makes the House shine!
We would like to thank all of you who have donated generously to the Sumter Historic Trust because these donations are so important to the Organization and the upkeep of the Lee Council House. Please be sure to attend the various events that the Trust hosts throughout the year so that you can see what your donations are helping to get accomplished – again we thank you and look forward to seeing you at Trust events this year!
-SHT House Committee
