THOMASVILLE — Nancy Tinker has held important historic preservation positions and resided in big U.S. cities, but her dream has been to live in — and return to — Thomasville.

“Thomasville’s home, and I always hoped there would be an opportunity to return here,” Tinker said.  “There is no place like it.”

Tinker has returned not only to Thomasville, but to a position she held from 1986 to 1994 — Thomasville Landmarks Inc. executive director.

Upon the resignation of Mary Lawrence Lilly Lang as Landmarks exec, Tinker, who was living in Atlanta, was asked to help identify potential individuals to fill the position.

Tinker interviewed for the position. Landmarks made her an offer.

Before returning to Thomasville, Tinker was employed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Charleston, South Carolina, for 20 years before being asked five years ago to open an Atlanta field office for the preservation organization.

During Tinker’s employment with the National Trust, she was well-known for her ability to form collaborative relationships enabling projects important to historic preservation to be completed. Prior to her employment with the National Trust, Tinker was employed from 1994 to 1998, as an architectural historian with Thomason and Associates, a preservation planning firm based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tinker holds a master of arts in historic preservation from Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where she graduated summa cum laude.

“(Nancy) Tinker brings a wealth of experience, ideas and excitement to Thomasville Landmarks as she relocates from Atlanta and ‘again’ makes Thomasville her home,” said Ben McCollum, Landmarks board chairman. “Her vast preservation experience at a national level, along with her strong community ties at the local level, combine to make her the ideal candidate to execute and expand the organization’s mission.”

Said Bill Edwards, Landmarks vice president for programs and president-elect, “We are very grateful for the many accomplishments of (Mary Lawrence Lilly) Lang, outgoing executive director, and we are excited about Landmarks’ future with Nancy with her seasoned knowledge, as well as strong additions we are making to our board, filling open positions left from very active board members whose terms are expiring.” 

Tinker’s first order of business will be to arrange safe events, taking into consideration the COVID-19 pandemic. Landmarks’ popular annual picnic will take place in a socially-distanced arrangement in the fall.

Local preservation award recipients have been selected and will be announced in September or October.

“We want to re-engage the community,” Tinker said.

In addition to Charleston, Tinker, who grew up on Smyrna, Tennessee, has lived in Nashville, Tennessee, and Providence, Rhode Island, cities she described as “wonderful places.”

Thomasville has changed since she left 26 years ago, Tinker said. 

“This time period is for re-engaging and asking good questions,” she said.

Tinker is back where she wanted to be.

“The people are so absolutely welcoming, clear-thinking and fun,” Tinker said. “If you’re bored in Thomasville, Georgia, it’s your own fault.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820