Blakely’s Powell Opera House makes list of ‘Places in Peril’

Cynthia L. Jennings

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation released its 2025 list of 10 Places in Peril in the state and a little known Early County landmark has made the list. Thanks to the diligent efforts of Early County’s Executive Director of Economic Development Susanne Reynolds, and the cooperation of the Collier and Watson families (property owners), the renovation of the Powell Opera House in Blakely might one day be a reality...

Places in Peril is designed to raise awareness about Georgia’s significant historic, archaeological and cultural resources, including buildings, structures, districts, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes that are threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy...

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 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).

Read more at The Early County News.