ATLANTA — The historic building at 202 South Broad Street in Thomasville and the Bentley House in Quitman received statewide preservation awards from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation at a ceremony in Brunswick April 26.

202 South Broad Street in Thomasville received an award for Excellence in Rehabilitation, which recognizes projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value. This year the Trust presented 10 Excellence in Rehabilitation awards.

Long vacant and deteriorating, 202 South Broad Street in downtown Thomasville was revitalized through a thoughtful rehabilitation led by local owners Heather and Kelly Abbott. Originally constructed in 1873 with an expansion in 1926, the building is a contributing resource in the Thomasville Commercial Historic District. Utilizing historic tax credits, the Abbotts replaced all mechanical systems, restored historic windows and doors, and repaired masonry and flooring. Endorsed by the local historic preservation commission, a previously modernized façade was replaced to resemble historic photos of the structure, and a collapsed rear garage was reconstructed with historically appropriate detailing. The building now houses three retail spaces and twelve upper-floor offices, energizing a once-abandoned intersection and helping to reinvigorate this commercial district.

The Bentley House in Quitman received an award for Excellence in Restoration, which recognizes the exemplary restoration of historic structures that accurately restore the form, features, and character of a historic building as it appeared during a particular period. This year the Trust presented only one Excellence in Restoration award.

Built c.1860 and designed by renowned architect John Wind, the Bentley House in Quitman is a striking example of Greek Revival architecture with Palladian elements. Originally home to merchant Benjamin Bentley, the cottage’s historic and architectural significance lies in Wind’s design, a hallmark of southwest Georgia. Over more than a decade, the current owner — guided by a historic architectural consultant — has meticulously restored the home to reflect its original construction. The project included rebuilding porches and piers, restoring chimneys and fireplaces, and reintroducing missing decorative elements. Nine-over-nine windows were reglazed, and historic features like rim locks, faux-grained doors, and period-style wallpaper were carefully revived. Non-historic additions were removed, and the house now serves as a time capsule illustrating life in South Georgia during the 1860s. This hands-on restoration is a powerful example of private stewardship, breathing new life into one of Quitman’s architectural treasures.

For more than 45 years, the Trust has recognized preservation projects and individuals throughout Georgia who have made significant contributions to the field of historic preservation. Awards are presented on the basis of the contributions of the person or project to the community and/or state and on compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.