Sumter Historic Trust

Home
United States
Americus, GA
Sumter Historic Trust

Support the Sumter Historic Trust by becoming a member: https://www.sumterhistorictrust.org/electronic-membership-form.html
President: Meredith Owen Board of Directors: Bunny Byrne Leila Case Charles F. Crisp II Kim Christmas Chet Crowley James Edgemon Angie Flegel Hope Henderson Marylynne V Joiner Lee Kinnamon Amanda Kutlzer Mark Minick Tara Mitchell Nick Owens Faith Pinnell Kathleen Tucker Brenda Tyson Meredith Owen Jessica Simmons John Stovall Meg Scott Usrey
(2)

02/02/2020

Book today!!!

01/20/2020

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Explore some of the historic places that shaped him—places that continue to educate, challenge, and inspire us today.

01/13/2020

Did you say “Yes” over the holidays? Looking for the perfect location for your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and/or reception? No matter your wedding style taste, we believe The Lee Council House is the perfect location.

This is wild. Wedding season is almost here 😂

01/09/2020

Americus Hot Glass Craft Beer Festival

This year, we are excited to announce that we will continue the Volunteer Challenge! The organization with the most volunteers will receive a $500 donation to their organization. The link to sign up is included below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49a5a823a5f49-4thannual

01/01/2020

If you were one of the many celebrants who were at the Lee Council House last evening and find yourself minus some jewelry today, please call/text 813-967-6448 to claim.

Thanks to all who came out to help us celebrate the new year and support the Sumter Historic Trust.We hope 2020 brings j...

01/01/2020

Become a Member — Sumter Historic Trust

Thanks to all who came out to help us celebrate the new year and support the Sumter Historic Trust.

We hope 2020 brings joy and prosperity to you, and that you will join us in our mission to preserve and promote the heritage of Sumter County, Georgia. Follow us to stay updated on events and activities.

We would love to have your further support through annual membership. Visit our website for more information.

https://www.sumterhistorictrust.org/become-a-member

Trust Members care about the preservation of the fabric of Americus and Sumter County. We are from all walks of life but we share a common goal. This place matters to us.

12/25/2019

Wishing all of our members, friends, and followers who celebrate a Merry Christmas!

12/22/2019

Wishing all of our members, friends, and followers who celebrate a Happy Hanukkah!

With just under two weeks left in 2019, the Sumter Historic Trust is looking forward to a prosperous 2020! We rely on m...

12/18/2019

Become a Member — Sumter Historic Trust

With just under two weeks left in 2019, the Sumter Historic Trust is looking forward to a prosperous 2020! We rely on members to help us grow and expand our programming, and membership dues go directly into supporting our mission of preservation and education. End the year by supporting your local historical trust and help make 2020 our best year yet! Membership comes with several benefits and will last until December 31, 2020.

See our website for more info on membership levels, benefits, and payment options.

Also, keep the Sumter Historic Trust in mind as you are planning your year end giving. Designated as well as undesignated gifts are welcome and greatly appreciated.

https://www.sumterhistorictrust.org/become-a-member

Trust Members care about the preservation of the fabric of Americus and Sumter County. We are from all walks of life but we share a common goal. This place matters to us.

11/28/2019

We are thankful for our members, friends and followers!

11/20/2019

Consider The Lee Council House for your next event. Message us today!

11/20/2019

Congratulations to our very own Archivist and Board Member, Lee Kinnamon, on being named Sumter County Schools Teacher of the Year. Very well deserved and earned!

#historyteacher #teacheroftheyear #APUSH

Congratulations to Lee Kinnamon, Sumter County Schools Teacher of the Year

11/13/2019

Kim Christmas, incoming president of Sumter Historic Trust for 2020, shared her expectations for the coming year and thanked out going president Meredith Owen for her leadership and the board members for their hard work.

11/13/2019

President Meredith Owen gave the state of the trust report at last night's Sumter Historic Trust Annual Meeting.

11/13/2019

At the 2019 Sumter Historic Trust Annual Meeting last night Judge Rucker Smith served as emcee and installed the 2020 Board of Directors.

11/13/2019

At the 2019 annual meeting last night, Sam Mahone, Chairman of the Americus-Sumter County Movement Remembered Committee, Inc. provided an update on several projects around Sumter County, including the Civil Rights Center/Museum initiative.

11/13/2019

The Sumter Historic Trust officers and board of directors were elected and installed at the Annual Meeting last night. Officers for 2020 are: Kim Christmas - President, Meredith Owen- Immediate Past President, Tara Mitchell - Corresponding Secretary, Meg Usrey - Recording Secretary, Chet Crowley - Parliamentarian, Lee Kinnamon - Archivist, Kathleen Tucker - Treasurer. Board Directors are: Marylynne Joiner, Nick Owens, Hope Henderson. Amanda Kutzler, Angie Flegel, James Edgemon, Charles Crisp, Brenda Tyson.

We thank the following directors for their service who are rolling off the board: Jessi Simmons - Past President, Leila Case, Faith Pinnell, John Stovall, Bunny Byrne, Mark Minick.

11/12/2019

Sumter Historic Trust

ICYMI...we love our ad in today's Americus Times-Recorder! Join us tomorrow for the Sumter Historic Trust 2019 Porch Tour beginning at 2pm. If you haven't purchased your tickets, you may do so online or at The LOOK Salon Studio ($25) in Downtown Americus - Main Street or tomorrow at the event ($30).

#exploregeorgia #visitamericus #seesumter #history #architecture #tour #historic #preservation #getinvolved

11/12/2019

11/11/2019

Please join us tomorrow night at 7 for our annual meeting, I know it going to be rainy and cold but bundle up and come hear about some wonderful things going on in the Historic area

ICYMI...we love our ad in today's Americus Times-Recorder! Join us tomorrow for the Sumter Historic Trust 2019 Porch To...

11/02/2019

11/01/2019

Don't miss these exciting upcoming events!

#exploregeorgia #visitamericus #seesumter #history #architecture #tour #historic #preservation #getinvolved

10/31/2019

Mark your calendar, and join us for these exciting upcoming events!

If you have not already purchased your tickets for the Sumter Historic Trust 2019 Porch Tour, this Sunday, do so today! Porch Tour tickets are $25 in advance or $30 day of the event. Tickets may be purchased online, at The LOOK Salon Studio in Downtown Americus - Main Street, or the day of the event for $30 at 501 S. Lee St. beginning at 2pm.

#exploregeorgia #history #architecture #tour #historic #preservation #getinvolved

10/24/2019

Call or text us for a 2019 Weekend Deal. (Marylynne 938-3534 or Nick 886-9612) #theleecouncilhouse

10/23/2019

Porch tour tickets available at The Look Salon Studio on Jackson St or from any active Trust board member.

10/15/2019

It’s getting closer!!!

Hurry! Get your tickets!

Porch Tour tickets now available online.

https://www.sumterhistorictrust.org/shop

09/28/2019

Hurry! Get your tickets!

Porch Tour tickets now available online.

https://www.sumterhistorictrust.org/shop

09/25/2019

Fall is here which means Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will soon follow. The weekend of October 12th is still available if you would like to throw the best HALLOWEEN PARTY in town. November is perfect for family reunions & THANKSGIVING gatherings. Use our kitchen to prepare your meal, our beautiful stained glass windows for your family portrait...all while the children play cornhole in the front yard. Looking for the perfect place for your office CHRISTMAS party or that family gathering that you don't want to have at your house? The Lee Council House offers the perfect location! Call or text Nick Owens (229/886-9612) or Marylynne Vasbinder (229/938-3534) to reserve your date! #theleecouncilhouse

07/12/2019

***DISCOUNT OFFER AVAILABLE !***
We are offering 20% off weekend rentals (Friday-Sunday) that are booked for SEPTEMBER or DECEMBER. Please call/text Nick Owens (229-886-9613) or Marylynne Vasbinder (229-938-3534) for more information. Offer expires 08/31/19.
*Applies to new rentals only**

06/27/2019

By Leila Sisson Case

The Lee Council House at 308 East Church St. has a storied past that dates to the turn of the 20th century.

The historic house today is headquarters of the Sumter Historic Trust but it has served in several capacities for more than 115 years. It was originally the private residence of Mr. and Mrs. Lee George Council for more than 40 years, then for the next three decades it served as the Americus Elks Club until the Sumter Historical Society, as the organization was then known, purchased it on August 25, 1978, for $52,000.

Lee George Council built the mansion as a wedding gift for his bride, the former Florence Hildreth of Long Island, New York, following their marriage in Live Oak, Florida, on October 9, 1900. The couple moved into their home described as a “palatial mansion” by the Americus Times-Recorder on February 21, 1902.

Council was among the city’s most wealthy residents. He was a distinguished and successful business leader, serving simultaneously as the president of Planters Bank, owner of the Windsor Hotel and publisher of The Americus Times-Recorder.

The Council’s home was situated in a choice residential section that was beginning to flourish with fine, substantially built homes featuring architectural designs reflecting the era and incorporating the comforts and conveniences of modern life.

The house had electricity, a power line having been connected from their home to the Windsor Hotel, perhaps an advantage of Council’s hotel ownership. They also had indoor plumbing, another convenience not often seen in private residences in that era.

And the regular route of the Americus street trolley, Georgia's first chartered electric street car system, at one time went in front of the Council’s home. One of the restored street cars is on permanent display at the Lake Blackshear Regional Library’s children’s reading room, a gift from the Robert T. and Gladys Crabb family who acquired the car in the 1940s.

Council was the oldest of three brothers. He assisted his father in the organization of Planter’s Bank that opened for business in February 1892, in a modest building on Forsyth Street but outgrew that quarters, moving in 1900 into the four story stone and brick building at the corner of Forsyth and Lee streets that stands today, according to an August 9, 1907 article taken from The Americus Weekly Times-Recorder.

Americus was then ranked as the eighth largest city in the state, thriving in all sectors of commerce from retail businesses and financial institutions in the central business district to the agricultural community, where cotton reigned as king along with peaches and pecans.

The town started as a small planter’s seat in the 1820s, but the arrival of the railroad in the early 1850s put Americus on the map. Three decades later, local attorney Samuel H. Hawkins’ construction of the only privately financed railroad in state history, elevated Americus to a higher level and was known as the “Metropolis of Southwest Georgia,” a reflection of its status as a cotton distribution center, according to historical facts.

06/27/2019

06/20/2019

Click on over to our new website and give it a look! Link in bio.

06/17/2019

Georgia's Rural Center

The City of Dublin used Georgia's Historic Tax Credit Program to revitalize the skyscraper that has stood in downtown since 1916. Read more about the history of the building and opportunities the program brought to Dublin: http://bit.ly/ruralGAdublin

The State of Georgia's Historic Tax Credit Program provides a state income tax credit to individuals who renovate qualified historic properties. This article is one of a three-part series to highlight projects in rural areas utilizing the tax credit.

Photo (c) Timothy L. Vacula

#GeorgiaRuralCenter #ruralga

06/05/2019

Timeline Photos

05/29/2019

“Adventures Through Sumter County History” kicks off Monday, June 3, 2019 at 9am!!

There are a few spots remaining for the 2019 Sumter Historic Trust History Camp. Complete the below registration form and submit at The LOOK Salon Studio or scan and email to [email protected].

The Sumter Historic Trust presents the 2019 Summer History Camp through the generosity of the joint sponsorship of the Mix Foundation and the Charles R. Crisp Preservation Trust. We are excited to have Georgia Southwestern State University graduate, Allison Beckelhymer, leading this fun learning experience for rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Campers will explore Sumter County history and learn about the local native American Indian tribe and early settlers, the role Sumter County played in the Civil War, Post-Civil War, and the 20th Century.

Campers will experience hands-on learning in a relaxed atmosphere. Our lead educator will take the campers on an adventure where they will learn about the significant historical events that took place in Sumter County in a manner they may not have otherwise experienced.

05/23/2019

Summer is on it’s way and it’s the perfect time for weddings, reunions, and parties on the veranda! Call or text us to schedule your event. Contact Nick Owens (229-886-9612) or Marylynne Joiner (229-938-3534) for availability and details. #theleecouncilhouse

04/02/2019

If you are looking for the perfect location for your next event (wedding, bridal shower/party, family/class reunion, etc) please consider The Lee Council House. Contact Marylynne Vasbinder Joiner(229-938-3534) or Nick Owens(229-886-9612) for more information. #theleecouncilhouse