Americus’ Lee House highlight of Georgia Trust Fall Ramble

AMERICUS — Americus and Sumter County’s most historic homes and sites will be open for tours during the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s Fall Ramble Oct. 11-13. The event will offer visitors and residents alike a rare opportunity to explore private homes not usually open to the public and go behind the scenes of historically significant sites.

The Fall Ramble is a unique way to explore Americus and Sumter County’s historic architectural treasures. History enthusiasts will be charmed by historic sites and rarely-open-to-the-public private homes in the area. Friday and Saturday’s Ramble will feature historic residences and buildings in the Americus Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sunday’s Ramble will give “Ramblers” an opportunity to venture out to explore Sumter County’s rich history.

The Ramble also includes special dining experiences held at historic sites throughout the weekend. After Friday’s Ramble, guests can enjoy dinner and cocktails at Georgia Southwestern State University’s Wheatley Administration Building, a Georgia Trust Preservation Award winner. Saturday morning, guests will be served breakfast at the historic Carnegie Library. On Saturday night, guests will enjoy dinner and cocktails at the meticulously restored Lee Council House. Finally, a Sunday brunch will be held at the historic home of Mark Minick.

A wide variety of registration options are available. To learn more or purchase tickets, visit GeorgiaTrust.org.

Rambles feature tours and social events in historic properties not usually open to the public. Tours of historic homes and buildings are self-guided, and guests provide their own transportation. These trips attract hundreds of participants per Ramble and are offered two weekends each year in the fall and spring. Recent Rambles have included Athens, Madison and Atlanta.

Founded in 1973, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation works for the preservation and revitalization of Georgia’s diverse historic resources and advocates their appreciation, protection and use.

As one of the country’s leading statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations, the Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund and raises awareness of other endangered historic resources through an annual listing of Georgia’s “Places in Peril.” The Trust honors preservation projects and individuals with its annual Preservation Awards and recognizes students and professionals with the Neel Reid Prize and Liz Lyon Fellowship.

The Trust offers a variety of educational programs for adults and children, provides technical assistance to property owners and historic communities, advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts, and manages two house museums in Atlanta (Rhodes Hall) and Macon (Hay House). To learn more, visit georgiatrust.org.