 09/20/2025: Henderson Avenue with Gary Bertsch Saturday, September 20, 2025
2-4 pm
Henderson Avenue is a peaceful residential enclave with stately, overhanging oaks set amidst the Milledge Avenue/Baxter Street corridors. The Henderson neighborhood consists of a very small portion of the 633-acre tract purchased by John Milledge in 1801 and given to the trustees of the University of Georgia. In 1845 William A. Carr purchased a significant parcel of this land from UGA. In 1860 a portion of the Carr property was purchased by Alfred Long Dearing. Southern Rights (or States Rights Street), the forerunner of Henderson Avenue, was then cut to divide the Dearing property from that of Carr. The earliest houses on Henderson date from this period, but the period of most significant development occurred from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries due to the streetcar which ran from Milledge Ave to downtown. The residences include examples of Folk Victorian, Queen Anne, and early 20th century Craftsman design. In addition to its designation as an Athens-Clarke County Local Historic District, Henderson Avenue is part of the Dearing Street National Historic District.
Gary Bertsch is a longtime resident of Henderson Avenue and UGA faculty from 1969-2010. After serving as an undergraduate adviser in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and undergraduate director and graduate director in the political science department, he became the founding director in 1987 of the Center for International Trade and Security, a UGA-based program conducting international research, teaching, and outreach to promote economic prosperity, international peace, and security. | $25.75 ($25.00 + $0.75 fee) Price and availability may vary |
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 10/11/2025: Oconee Hill Cemetery with Luis Vicente-VazquezSaturday, October 11, 2025
2-4 pm
Known for its charm and beauty, historic Oconee Hill Cemetery is located in Athens, Georgia adjacent to the University of Georgia campus. Established in 1856 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Oconee Hill is significant for its landscape architecture, decorative funerary markers, distinctive cast-iron fencing, a rare through-truss bridge, and a Sexton's House of architectural significance. The grassy and rolling terrain with woods, flowing water and scenic vistas makes Oconee Hill a beautiful place to visit and stroll among the graves of many notable Georgians including governors, University presidents, veterans, and Congressmen, including figures like Crawford W. Long and Ricky Wilson of the B-52s.
History enthusiast and tour guide Luis Vicente-Vazquez will be leading the tour, and has been a beloved tour guide at the Historic Athens Welcome Center for years. | $25.75 ($25.00 + $0.75 fee) Price and availability may vary |
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10/12/2025: Oconee Hill Cemetery with Luis Vicente-VazquezSunday, October 12, 2025
2-4 pm
Known for its charm and beauty, historic Oconee Hill Cemetery is located in Athens, Georgia adjacent to the University of Georgia campus. Established in 1856 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Oconee Hill is significant for its landscape architecture, decorative funerary markers, distinctive cast-iron fencing, a rare through-truss bridge, and a Sexton's House of architectural significance. The grassy and rolling terrain with woods, flowing water and scenic vistas makes Oconee Hill a beautiful place to visit and stroll among the graves of many notable Georgians including governors, University presidents, veterans, and Congressmen, including figures like Crawford W. Long and Ricky Wilson of the B-52s.
History enthusiast and tour guide Luis Vicente-Vazquez will be leading the tour, and has been a beloved tour guide at the Historic Athens Welcome Center for years. | $25.75 ($25.00 + $0.75 fee) Price and availability may vary |
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 10/26/25: Brooklyn Cemetery with Linda HillSunday October 26, 2025
2-4 pm
Experience the beauty and resilience of Athens’ Black community as you tour the historic African American Brooklyn Cemetery with Linda Elder Davis, co-founder of the Friends of Brooklyn Cemetery (FOBC). Formerly known as the Bethlehem Cemetery, the Brooklyn Cemetery was one of the first Black cemeteries in Athens, Georgia. Established in 1882, the cemetery served as a final resting place for many of the residents of the Brooklyn/Hawthorne area, located on the western side of Athens. Nature and time have laid claim to much of the cemetery, but efforts to restore and preserve have transformed the landscape. The restoration of the cemetery began in 2006. FOBC’s goal is to rebuild and commemorate not only the cemetery grounds but, more importantly, the individuals laid to rest there. This tour will last approximately 2 hours.
As a long-time resident, Linda has been deeply involved in various community initiatives. She serves as a board member for the Clarke County School District and is a founding member of the Friends of Brooklyn Cemetery, dedicated to the restoration and commemoration of one of Georgia's first African American cemeteries. Linda's commitment to community preservation and service has earned her the prestigious Phinizy Spalding Award. | |
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