Historic Augusta Inc. hopes its latest project will bring more people downtown.
Since March, the organization has been developing walking tour maps for self-guided excursions of the city's historic sites along Telfair, Greene, Broad and Reynolds streets.
"The city itself is a museum," said Erick Montgomery, Historic Augusta's executive director. "It's here for us to explore, and now there's a guide for everyone to create their own tour of it."
Each block has its own map detailing historical facts about its sites. The maps also contain information on monuments, green spaces and historical events that took place downtown.
"Augusta has a rich historical and architectural legacy, especially in downtown, so this can be used as an educational tool for everyone," Mr. Montgomery said. "In addition to the educational value, I think it will get more people interested in preserving these buildings and sites."
The city will benefit from the tours as well, said Julia Jackson, Historic Augusta's programs and marketing director.
"When people come downtown for the tours, we hope that they will also go to the restaurants and shop in the stores, which will benefit the city's economy," she said. "This is an opportunity for people to take advantage of everything downtown has to offer, from its historical sites to its businesses."
Historic Augusta was chosen as consultants for the project by the city, which received an $8,580 Historic Preservation Fund grant administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Augusta Downtown Development Authority also contributed funds. The total cost of the project is $9,600.
Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.
TAKE THE TOUR
Maps can be accessed at www.historicaugusta.org. They are available for the 400 through 1100 blocks of Telfair Street and the 600 south block and the 700 north and south blocks of Broad Street. Historic Augusta plans to work on maps for Reynolds and Greene streets and the rest of Broad Street.
Highlights of the Telfair Street tour include:
WARE'S FOLLY
At 506 Telfair St., the building was constructed in 1818 as a residence for Nicholas Ware at a reported cost of $40,000. It was renovated in 1937 and now is home to the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art.
OLD MEDICAL COLLEGE BUILDING
At 598 Telfair St., it was constructed in 1835 as the first permanent home of the Medical College of Georgia.
BOYHOOD HOME OF WOODROW WILSON
At 419 Seventh St., this building was owned by First Presbyterian Church as a home for its pastor, Joseph Ruggles WIlson, the father of Thomas Woodrow Wilson.
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