Hands ON History Symposium 2026, in the spirit of the Henry D. Green Symposium and sponsored by Artful Hands and the Material Culture and Arts Foundation (MCAF), is a two-day symposium in Athens, Georgia, focused on preservation in action — the craftsmanship, decisions, collaboration, and determination required to restore historic places and preserve the decorative arts, traditional craftsmanship, and material culture that give them character and meaning.
Through real-world examples and shared experiences, the symposium looks beyond the finished result to explore the hands-on work of preservation — from architecture and restoration to the objects, finishes, furnishings, and skilled trades that help tell the story of a place. Together, we’ll consider what preservation takes, why it matters, and what is at risk when we choose not to act.
Friday, November 6
Registration at Athens Cotton Press and Keynote.
Evening at the historic Taylor-Grady House with cocktails, a tour of the house, and dinner cooked over the fire in the restored 1844 kitchen.
Saturday, November 7
Coffee and danishes at Athens Cotton Press
Three morning presentations
Lunch with time to see the on-site exhibitions or take the trolly to Taylor-Grady House or GMOA
Three afternoon presentations
Southern Supper at The Donald-Epting House in honor of The Greens
Two-Day Symposium Pass — $199 fees included (+ $15.92 sales tax)
Includes full access to both Friday and Saturday symposium programming, as well as dinner at Taylor-Grady House on Friday evening and a Southern Supper at the Donald-Epting House on Saturday evening.
Community-Supported Pass — $275 fees included (+ $22.00 sales tax)
Attend the full symposium while helping make Hands ON History Symposium 2026 accessible to students.
Includes all the benefits of the Two-Day Symposium Pass, with an additional contribution to provide reduced-price or complimentary access for students to attend the Saturday lectures.
To register and pay by credit card or check, click the link below. To place your ticket order by phone, contact Megan Hendrix at 706-353-1913.
Hands ON History Symposium 2026 Program
FRIDAY, November 6th
REGISTRATION LOCATION & TIME: Athens Cotton Press, 149 Oneta Street, Athens, GA 30601, 12:00-5:00 PM.
Attendees are invited to take in the Making Place pottery & iron works exhibition, talks and demonstrations in The Trade Room.
KEYNOTE: Rebuilding from the Inside Out
LOCATION: Athens Cotton Press, 5:30 PM
Karen A. Phillips, Ocilla, Georgia. Co-founder of Harlem Abyssinian Development Corporation
Karen A. Phillips is a pioneering American landscape architect, urban planner, and community development leader. She is widely recognized as a central driving force behind the Second Harlem Renaissance, dedicating her career to rebuilding economically distressed urban communities through cultural preservation and sustainable development. Karen will open the symposium with a powerful look at preservation as an active, environmental choice. A central-driving force behind the Second Harlem Renaissance, she asks the question - Who decides what gets saved and who does the saving?
COCKTAILS & DINNER
LOCATION: Taylor-Grady House, 634 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA 30601, 7:00 PM
Hands on History Symposium 2026 guests are invited to experience two truly unique dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings, catered by Lee Epting of Epting Events. Each will offer a memorable setting, thoughtfully prepared food, and an experience that brings the spirit of Hands on History to life beyond the day’s programs.
On Friday evening, please join us for a special evening of cocktails and dinner at the historic Taylor-Grady House. Guests will tour the main house and restored servants’ quarters before gathering for a period dinner featuring locally sourced foods, prepared using traditional methods over the fire in the newly restored 1844 kitchen. This most unique experience offers a rare opportunity to step into the past and experience the history, foodways, and traditions of the period firsthand.
SATURDAY, November 7th
MORNING
LATE REGISTRATION & MORNING REFRESHMENTS
LOCATION: Athens Cotton Press, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Begin the day with a coffee and danishes while connecting with fellow attendees before the symposium gets underway. It’s a relaxed opportunity to settle in, catch up with friends, and gather for the morning’s first session which begins at 9:00 AM.
1,200 Miles and 175 Years: Restoring the Quincy Hotel, 9:00 AM
Betsy Dorminey, Athens, Georgia / Enosburg Falls, Vermont
Betsy Dorminey’s story spans both generations and geography. Her connection to the 1850 Quincy Hotel is deeply personal—a place already woven into her family’s history long before she took on its restoration. In this session, Dorminey will share how family memory and a sense of stewardship have guided the preservation of the property, shaping decisions rooted not in investment, but in inheritance, history, and a lasting connection to place.
Seen/Unseen: The Story of Aggy Carter
Randy Reid, Athens, Georgia
Randy Reid, co-author of Seen/Unseen, will explore the life of Aggy Carter, an enslaved woman whose story has been brought more fully into the historical record through extensive research in the Cobb-Lamar family papers. Drawing from letters and other primary sources, Reid will consider Aggy’s daily life, responsibilities, relationships, and the ways she navigated the difficult realities of enslavement. He will also touch on the everyday objects and tools she may have used and lived among, offering another way to understand her experiences and, most importantly, to recognize the individual life and humanity behind the historical record.
Can These Dry Bones Live? Our Journey to Historic Preservation and Community Revival
Barrett Hanson, Chairman, Friends of Cherry Grove School House, Wilkes County, Georgia
The remarkable journey of the Cherry Grove Schoolhouse—from forgotten ruin to a celebrated landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. A testament to community, perseverance, and the power of preservation.
This presentation will cover the restoration and rehabilitation of a circa 1910 rural, one-room African American schoolhouse in Wilkes County, GA. After five years of labor, the achievements and recognition on the National Register of Historic Places, culminating in the 2023 Preservation Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation from the Georgia Trust.
LUNCH, 12:00 - 2:00PM
Enjoy lunch as part of a leisurely two-hour midday break. Attendees may dine on-site at the Athens Cotton Press while exploring the Making Place exhibition or take lunch along and board the Athens Trolley for a visit to the Taylor-Grady House Fall Festival or the Georgia Museum of Art to visit our decorative arts galleries.
The extended break offers a chance to enjoy lunch while experiencing a little more of Athens’ art, history, and culture before returning for the afternoon symposium sessions.
AFTERNOON
The Hand that Painted the Mantle, 2:00 PM
Ann Patterson and Colonel Anderson, Sandy Springs and Tignall, Georgia
Ann Patterson and Colonal Anderson’s session begins not with a historic building, but with a single painted (faux marble) mantle and the unknown artisan whose hand created it. Through this remarkable object, Patterson and Anderson will explore the importance of recognizing and preserving the work of makers whose names have been lost to history. Their talk considers how an everyday architectural element can become a work of art—and how one object can open a much larger conversation about craftsmanship, preservation, and the often-unrecognized people whose labor helped create the historic places we value today.
Saving a Blacksmith Shop
Patrick G. Blount, Washington, Georgia
Certified artist blacksmith Patrick Blount will talk about single-handedly, saving a historic blacksmith shop in Washington, Georgia, and bringing it back to doing what it was meant to do, being a blacksmith shop. In addition to this, he will speak about traditional ironwork as it applies to preservation and restoration of historic sites.
Built to Last: Preservation Through Adaptive Reuse
Chad Brown, owner of The Athenian, Athens, Georgia
Marie Brumby Foster, owner of The Bell Hotel, Athens, Georgia
Candice Treadway, owner of The Rushmore, Athens, Georgia
Tommy Valentine, Executive Director of Historic Athens, Athens, Georgia
This session brings together the owners of three distinctive Athens properties—The Athenian, The Rushmore, and The Bell Hotel—for a conversation about giving historic buildings new purpose. Each will share the story behind their property’s renovation, from recognizing its potential to navigating the decisions, challenges, and craftsmanship involved in adapting an older structure for contemporary use while respecting its history and character. Moderated by Tommy Valentine, Executive Director of Historic Athens, the discussion will explore how thoughtful adaptive reuse can preserve meaningful places while contributing to the vitality and evolving story of Athens.
COCKTAILS & DINNER
LOCATION: The Hill, 1800 Crescent Lane, Athens, GA 30607, 7:00 PM
A Southern Supper at The Donald-Epting House: In memory of Henry and Fran Green
Join us for a memorable evening of Southern hospitality, great food, fellowship and a tour of The Donald-Epting House as we celebrate the legacy of The Greens and close out a weekend devoted to the people and places that keep history alive.
Symposium Registration and Program Location
Registration and the Symposium will take place at the Athens Cotton Press, located at 149 Oneta Street in the historic Chase Park Warehouses, just about a mile from downtown Athens and a short walk from the Boulevard neighborhood. The restored early-1900s industrial space offers convenient on-site parking and easy access to the heart of Athens.
Athens Cotton Press, 149 Oneta Street, Athens GA 30601
Accommodations
Athens area hotels offering special rates for the Hands on History Symposium 2026 include: The Athenian, The Rushmore, The Bell Hotel, and Hotel Indigo. Please contact the hotel directly and mention Hands on History Symposium 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime by email info@artfulhands.org.
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We welcome support from individuals, businesses, and organizations who share our interest in historic preservation, traditional craft, and cultural heritage. Please contact info@artfulhands.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities or making a donation.
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Absolutely! We welcome volunteers to help with hospitality, registration, and general event support. It’s a great way to be part of Hands on History while helping us create a warm and welcoming experience for our guests. Please follow this link to sign up.
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We welcome those who would like to help make Hands on History accessible to students and others who may not otherwise be able to attend. Scholarship tickets may be purchased and donated to support attendance for a deserving participant. When purchasing your own ticket, you will be given the option of purchasing a scholarship ticket at the same time.
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We are always interested in hearing from knowledgeable and engaging presenters whose work aligns with the mission of Hands on History. Please email info@artfulhands.org with a brief introduction, your area of expertise, and information about a potential presentation.
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We are committed to making Hands on History welcoming and accessible to all guests. Accessibility varies among our historic venues, so please contact us in advance with any specific mobility or accessibility needs, and we will be happy to provide information and assistance.
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Due to contractual agreements with vendors, location, and staffing, we will not issue refunds if the event takes place and you are unable to attend. Though we cannot refund these passes, you are able to transfer your registration to another person up to 7 days prior to the event. Please contact us at info@artfulhands.org if you need assistance.