The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation is seeking a new leader as Amy Kissane, who has led the organization for the past 16 years, left her postion on March 2.
The nonprofit organization's board of trustees will announce its next steps in the coming weeks. During the transition period, the board's executive committee is serving as a temporary transition team.
Kissane has worked to increase the foundation's involvement in the protection and preservation of local African-American historic resources, beginning with a $10,000 grant to Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery in the early 2000s and the designation of the Reese Street Local Historic District in 2008.
Current efforts include partnering with Greater Bethel A.ME. to save the historic American Legion Building and working to save the historic Mack-Burney House (once home to prominent African-American educator Annie Burney) on Reese Street.
Historic preservation projects such as the renovations at Southern Mill and the Oconee Street School began thanks in large part to programs and extensive advocacy by ACHF.
Programs such as Athens Heritage Walks, Preservation Awards and the Heritage Holiday Gala have become highly anticipated community events. And last year, Kissane led a series of events celebrating the organization's 50th anniversary.Long-time