THOMASVILLE — A Thomasville couple and their restored home are among the subjects to be featured on “Saving America,” a show premiering on HGTV Saturday afternoon.

Brandon and Ashley Godwin will be featured in a showcase of historic homes being restored in small American cities.

“The show is a mixture of historic preservation, small-town life and young local residents —a perfect fit for Thomasville,” said Karen Smith, City of Thomasville Tourism & Main Street executive director.

Brandon and Ashley Godwin bought their 222 E. Monroe St. home in September 2014.

The house, built between 1885 and 1890, was transformed during the Victorian period. “It’s kind of a Queen Anne Cottage,” said Mr. Godwin, an architect.

The Godwins added space at the rear of the house, which today is 2,500 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths.

By the time Godwin and his wife, a Cairo High School biology teacher, signed on with HGTV, they had done a lot of work on the house. With HGTV, the project became a team effort.

Before HGTV arrived, Godwin had gutted half of the structure. “It was in such bad shape,” he explained.

Restoration happened quickly after HGTV arrived. Said Godwin, “Everything is going twice as fast as it normally would.”

The interior of the house is designed for a modern family. Walls were removed, and old bathrooms were ripped out.

The Godwins chose wood trim, cabinets and hardware appropriate for the period in which the house was built.

“We preserved as much of the old character as we could,” Godwin explained.

The Godwin home is in an historic district, which has strict rules for restorations. Godwin ensured HGTV crews adhered to the guidelines.

The Saturday show featuring the Godwins and their house will be aired between 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday. During the same hour, a house restoration in Dothan, Ala., will be featured.

The Godwins will view the show for the first time at Thomasville Municipal Auditorium. The viewing is open to the public.

The event begins at 1 p.m., when the Godwins will be available to answer questions about the process of being selected for the show and to describe the filming experience.

After the premier, a meet-and-greet will be held in the breezeway outside the auditorium.

The event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets may be obtained at the Thomasville Visitors Center, 144 E. Jackson St. between 8 and 5 p.m. today and Friday, and beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday. Tickets will be available at the door Saturday while supplies last.

More information may be obtained by calling (229) 228-7977.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-240, ext. 1820.