The Old Clinton Historical Society celebrated 50 years of historic preservation with an open house that included the opening of the newly renovated Johnson Law Office.
Other historic buildings featured in the open house were the Red Barn, which has recently undergone repairs, and the McCarthy- Pope House.
David Yoakley Mitchell, executive director of the Atlanta Preservation Center and a board member of the Old Clinton Historical Society, spoke at the Nov. 16 event that started in the renovated law office.
Jones Countian Patsy Childs was also in attendance at the open house. Childs is the connection to Judge Richard Johnson. The law office is one of the oldest in the south.
Mitchell noted that the law office was the only historic building in his recollection that had been moved twice.
The law office was donated in 2016 by Robert and Shirley Billue. The building is thought to have been constructed between 1830-40, and its restoration had been a longrange project of the OCHS.
It was moved from its original location in 2016 to the Holsenback property, which is owned by OCHS, and placed next to the Pine Ridge one-room schoolhouse. It was moved again in 2021 to its current location on Madison Street.
Mitchell said, as the world is changing, it’s good to realize there are things that stay the same.
“That’s community, identity and a place that has purpose. This building really resonates that,” he said.
The speaker said the renovation was made possible due the endowment of William Lamar Cawthorn Jr., who died March 16, 2016.
Cawthorn was a noted attorney and historian who dedicated much of his career to the study of Clinton. He lived in Eufaula, Ala., but he was one of the founding members of the Old Clinton Historical Society.
The historian was a descendant of some of the early families of Clinton, and it appeared that the town was never far from his heart.
Mitchell was the co-executor of Cawthon’s estate that contained funds dedicated to the restoration of the Johnson Law Office and oversaw the restoration.
He explained the breadth of the renovation, including the foundation and general frame of the building, siding, windows, exterior doors and trim, front and side stairs, chimney, roof, floors, walls and ceilings.
“This place had many experiences, challenges and opportunities to defy historic disruption,” he said. “This building is filled with memories, love, affection and a lot of Clinton. What has been done here is another reason why Middle Georgia matters.”
Mitchell introduced Childs, who is the closest living relative of Judge Richard Johnson.
Childs said she was floored with all the friends who were in attendance.
“I’m really overwhelmed, but it’s a wonderful day. Thank you for loving Clinton like I do,” she said.
Mitchell noted that the OCHS would not be here without its president, Earlene Hamilton, and her mother before her, making sure Clinton was not forgotten.
“One great thing about being southern is we are living in the shadow of those who came before us,” he said.
Hamilton said there was no better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of OCHS than recognizing the preservation of Clinton.
The president later explained the reason the law office was moved to its location at 426 Madison St.
Hamilton said, when the building was moved in 2016 to save it from demolition, OCHS did not own the Madison Street property. When that property was acquired, which is within two lots of its original location, the decision was made to move it to the spot that is more historically correct, relative to the courthouse square.
An additional benefit to the Madison Street location was direct access to power and water without having to encroach on the historic tan yard property.
Following the Nov. 16 ceremony in the law office, the group was led on a tour of Clinton by Mitchell.
The tour included the Red Barn that had recent repairs partially funded by donations and volunteer labor of the 16th Georgia members and the McCarthy- Pope House that is partially funded by a grant from the 1772 Foundation, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and a grant from the Watson Brown Foundation.
