POSTED: May 26, 2009 Access News & Events page

Partnership to restore Sallie Ellis Davis House

A partnership between Georgia College & State University and the Sallie Ellis Davis Foundation will renovate one of Milledgevilles historic homes - The Sallie Ellis Davis House - and transform it into an AfricanAmerican Cultural Center.

Through this partnership we will work to preserve the

legacy of a great educator who committed herself to nourishing the minds of the communitys AfricanAmerican youth at a time when true equality was still many years off, said Georgia College President Dorothy Leland. Through the creation of this cultural center, we will seek to sustain the inspiration that Sallie Davis gave to all of those she touched during her remarkable life. Leland and Carolyn Thomas, Chair of the Sallie Ellis Davis Foundation, announced in 2008 shortly after The Georgia Trust added the house on its Places in Peril list due to the structures deteriorated condition. The cost to renovate and restore this historic home is an estimated $379,950. To date $15,000 has been raised toward the initial $25,000 needed to complete the stabilization phase of the renovation. The GCSU Foundation is working with a steering committee to identify other funding opportunities for this worthwhile project. The Sallie Ellis Davis House was built in 1890 and served as Davis residence from 1912 until her death in 1950. The house was used as a residence until 1989, when the Board of Regents purchased it. In 2003, the City of Milledgeville received a grant to pay for an assessment of the house and develop a rehabilitation plan. Coinciding with the Places in Peril designation, was Georgia College's announcement to form a partnership with the Sallie Davis Foundation comprised of a group of her former students to renovate the house and open it as a cultural center. On June 5 Georgia College and The Georgia Trust will co-host a spotlight event at the Sallie Ellis Davis House to bring the community together and discuss the vision for this important piece of local history. Community members and Georgia College alumni and friends are invited to attend the event and help make a difference. If you would like additional information about the June 5 spotlight event or would like to make a gift toward the campaign please contact Lee Snelling at (478) 445-8129 or lee.snelling@gcsu.edu.

Access News & Events page For more information, contact Judy Bailey in University Communications at (478) 445-4477.