Mimosa Hall Named To 'Places in Peril' List

ROSWELL, GA -- The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation has released its 2017 list of ten Places in Peril across the state, and a well-known Roswell home has made the list.

Sites on the list include: Atlanta Central Library in Atlanta; Calvary Episcopal Church and Lee Street Bridge in Americus; Dublin's Chivers House; Marble YMCA Building in Columbus; Gaines Hall, Furber Cottage, Towns House and Hamilton House in Atlanta; John Rountree Log House in Twin City; Lyon Farmhouse in Lithonia; Mimosa Hall in Roswell; Charles T. Walker House in Augusta; and Old Zebulon Elementary School building in Pike County.

Mark McDonald, president and CEO of Georgia Trust, said this installment was the organization's 12th annual roundup of places they fear could be lost forever due to an array of issues.

"We hope the list will continue to bring preservation solutions to Georgia's imperiled historic resources by highlighting ten representative sites," he added.

Places in Peril is designed to raise awareness about Georgia's significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes that are "threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy."

The organization uses the list to encourage owners and individuals, organizations and communities to employ proven preservation tools, financial resources and partnerships in order to reclaim, restore and revitalize historic properties that are in peril.

Mimosa Hall, a Greek Revival-style home, was built in 1840 and reconstructed in 1847 following a fire. It was named for its many mimosa trees by a later owner, General A. J. Hansell, prior to being purchased in 1916 by Atlanta architect Neel Reid, who renovated the house and its iconic gardens.

After Reid's death, ownership of the property stayed with his family until 1937. In 1947, Granger Hansell, great-grandson of the home's former owner, purchased Mimosa Hall and it has remained in the Hansell family ever since.

Mimosa Hall, along with 21 undeveloped acres, is currently on the market. The significant acreage of the estate in historic downtown Roswell creates "an elevated threat of development," Georgia Trust argues.

It added it hopes it can work with the owners in locating a buyer who "will respect the property's historic significance and to provide free technical assistance to potential buyers, ensuring the preservation of Mimosa Hall, its lush landscape and exquisite gardens for years to come."

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia's diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use. As one of the country's leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the 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 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).

Image via Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation