Historical foundation is funding restoration of Wilkes Co. markers
Weather-worn historic markers will be refurbished thanks to the efforts of the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation. Faded and rusty historical markers across Wilkes County will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to money raised by members and supporters of the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation.
“With these funds, every historical marker in the county will be cleaned and repainted by the state at a cost of $750 per marker,” said foundation President Stephanie Macchia, “starting with the Wilkes County marker and the Jefferson Davis marker at the courthouse, along with the Old Inn Site marker on The Square and the Tupper House marker on West Robert Toombs.”
As funding allows, she said, other historical markers throughout the county will be refurbished in the coming years. “There are about 40 historical markers throughout the county, and we are committed to refurbishing four or five every year, as funding allows, until they’re all done,” she said.
In addition to the restoration of historical markers, the Washington- Wilkes Historical Foundation has raised and donated $2,000 to the Robert Toombs House Historic Site for window blinds to protect artifacts from sun damage, and $3,000 to the Washington Historical Museum for a new sign in front of the museum at East Robert Toombs Avenue.
The foundation also donated $300 to the “Resthaven Revisited” dramatic cemetery tour, and will pay the entrance fee for all four Wilkes County public schools to participate in the 2012 Christmas Parade of Lights, Macchia said. In addition, money is being set aside for a new Markers and Monuments of Wilkes County book and also a new cemetery book, both of which are in planning stages.
The historical foundation raises funds from the membership dues of their 76 members, along with proceeds from the annual Christmas Tour of Homes, and grants from the Sara Giles Moore Foundation.
For information on joining the Washington-Wilkes Historic Foundation, call 706-678-5001, email historical@washingtonwilkes.org or see the foundation’s web site HistoryofWilkes.org.
