Canton Couple Wins Excellence In Preservation Service Award

CANTON, GA — Two well-known Canton residents have been recognized for their commitment to historic preservation in the community. Nell and Bill Magruder received an award for Excellence in Preservation Service from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Magruders were recognized at the organization's 41st annual Preservation Awards ceremony held April 27 in Columbus. The Georgia Trust notes the Magruders' commitment to their cause is evident, as they have restored their Canton home and have advocated for the protection of the old Canton Grammar School from demolition.

The Magruder home, constructed by William Gresham, has remained in Nell Magruder's family since it was built in 1841, the organization added. In addition to Nell Magruder’s service on The Georgia Trust’s Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2004, the Magruders are strong supporters of the Georgia Trust’s Revolving Fund, donating a property to the Trust in 1997, and have also contributed to a number of Trust programs, including the 2012 Ramble in Roswell and 2018 Expedition in Canton.

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Awards in the Excellence in Preservation Service category recognize people, groups, businesses or government entities demonstrating exemplary activities and promoting awareness in the field of historic preservation. The scope of work may be of local, regional or statewide significance. Other Excellence in Preservation Service winners were Marvin and Phyllis Hughes of Gwinnett County and William B. Peard of Atlanta.

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of the state’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use. The Georgia Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.”

The Trust recognizes preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and awards students and young professionals with academic scholarships, the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship. It offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House).

To learn more about The Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards, visit its website.

Photo: Bill and Nell Magruder. Credit: The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation