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Milton accepts donation of McConnell Chadwick House; city and volunteers outline stabilization, preservation plan
Summary
The city of Milton and the Milton Historical Society marked the donation of the McConnell Chadwick House by Larry Chadwick and described early preservation steps, outreach and grant work to stabilize and restore the nearly 200‑year‑old property.
Mayor Payton Jamieson and members of the Milton Historical Society publicly recognized the donation of the McConnell Chadwick House to the city and outlined initial preservation work and next steps.
Why it matters: The McConnell Chadwick House is a locally significant Greek Revival farmhouse that volunteers and preservation experts say is at risk of further deterioration without immediate stabilizing work. The preservation effort could unlock state and federal grant opportunities and shape a future community use for the property.
At the council meeting, Bill Lehi, representing the Milton Historical Society, described the society’s long effort to document and preserve local structures and announced the society’s Preservationist Award and the donation by Larry Chadwick. Joan Borzilier, a Milton Historical Society board member, summarized the multi‑year advocacy and volunteer work behind the donation and said the city has already begun stabilization steps. She listed volunteers, architects and preservation professionals involved in researching the house and preparing documentation for the National Register of Historic Places.
Swati Jayakumar, introduced as a graduate student in historic preservation at Georgia State University, presented a condition survey and 3‑D scans showing deteriorated roof cladding, broken windows and foundation issues. Jayakumar said exterior stabilization — sealing the roof, repairing cladding and securing the foundation — should come first to stop water intrusion and preserve interior features.
Carl Jackson, who spoke after the presentation, and other Historical Society members emphasized the house’s role as a gateway feature on Route 140 and said the society hopes to pursue adaptive reuse options such as an interpretive site about Cherokee removal and local history.
City staff and the Historical Society said they have sought pro bono preservation help from a consulting firm and plan to submit a National Register application focused on architecture, after earlier attempts to list the property under multiple criteria were unsuccessful. The society also noted awards and recognition that have supported its work, and described community outreach including a public survey produced with high‑school students that will inform potential future uses of the site.
Ending: The council presented a proclamation thanking Larry Chadwick. No formal ordinance or funding vote was recorded at the meeting; the Historical Society and city staff said they will advance grant applications and design work and return to council with proposed contracts and funding requests as the stabilization and restoration plan is developed.
