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| | | (JENNIFER BROCK/www.northfulton.com) - Cheryl Bowlin and Joan Compton comb through newspapers and clothes in the Green General Store at Autrey Mill. The nature preserve plans to open the store to the public during its spring celebration May 17. (click for larger version) | |
May 06, 2008
JOHNS CREEK -- After more than six months pounding nails, painting walls and combing through piles of historical artifacts, Autrey Mill Nature Preserve is ready to roll out the red carpet to welcome residents, history buffs and nature enthusiasts to its newly renovated site.
The nature preserve will host its spring celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17. The event will include music, crafts, quilters, a petting zoo and tours of the renovated historic village.
Autrey Mill, off Old Alabama Road, has been under construction since November. Fresh coats of paint were applied to the Warsaw Church, which also received new stained-glass windows and a new porch.
The church will be home to Autrey Mill's first wedding celebration on May 10.
"The renovations have been a massive project," said Joan Compton, an Autrey Mill board member. "We've always thought it'd be a good event place or destination and then we got the church and just knew it would be special."
The Summerour House was also freshened up with paint and decorative touches. But inside lies possibly the most sentimental part of Autrey Mill – Margaret Krueger's furniture from her estate. Krueger, who many consider the person who saved Autrey Mill, passed away in January.
"She wanted to donate them for the longest time," said Cheryl Bowlin, an Autrey Mill board member.
The Green General Store received some renovations to its exterior and the store will be open for tours to visitors during the celebration.
Bowlin said the store was stacked to the ceiling with newspapers, clothing and other historical artifacts left inside. Several artifacts will be on display for visitors to see during the celebration.
Autrey Mill will also show a 10-minute video of recorded history featuring interviews of local Johns Creek residents – past and present – who recall the nature preserve's history.
"It's been amazing," said Compton. "People TV included us in their grant so we have been able to accomplish this."
The video will be shown at the Central Library in downtown Atlanta and eventually will make its home at the Atlanta History Center.
"It tells the story of Autrey Mill and the buildings and shows the relevance to the community today," said Compton.
The "star" of the project will be Jane Davis, a woman whose family resided in three of the homes that now sit on Autrey Mill's property. Other interviewees include ancestors of former Autrey Mill and Johns Creek residents.
A full restoration to the Warsaw Church and improvements to the Summerour House were made possible through a $269,000 grant from Speaker Pro Tempore Mark Burkhalter and a $50,000 grant from Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley, respectively.
Autrey Mill is funded by donations. While the city of Johns Creek pays the bill for the site's garbage disposal and lawn mowing maintenance, it could be several years before Autrey Mill is included in the city's budget, according to board members.
Currently, Autrey Mill board members are brainstorming ways to obtain more funding for programs and activities at the nature center. Larry Buckles, a board member, said the board will seek volunteers and input from the community to submit their ideas for future projects and funding.
Bowlin said Autrey Mill will be seeking volunteers to work as docents and will be creating a training program where they will be able to tell the nature preserve's history.
While Autrey Mill plans to host more events, the focus hasn't shifted too far from what the site actually is – a nature preserve.
"It's still going to be a park place and the nature trails will still be here," said Compton. "We want to increase the programs for kids and adults – we have a lot of ideas."
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