The Historic Preservation Society of Social Circle was founded in 1981 as a non-profit organization with the mission of preserving the community's heritage through education about and conservation of our historic resources. The Society is made up of volunteers who are dedicated to the achievement of this mission. The Society has worked toward achieving two main objectives.
(1) Acquire and restore a significant historic property to serve as a Community History Center.(2) Develop a broad-based membership to grow the Society in order to provide community-based programs.
In 1990, the Society had the good fortune to obtain the Nebhut-Akridge-Gunter House. Now known as Gunter Hall, this historic home is the current Headquarters of the Historic Preservation Society and serves as a museum, education center, and for special events. The original owner, Eberhardt Nebhut, who always signed his name "E", came to Social Circle in the late 1840's and bought the entire block south of the First Baptist Church property and north of the business block in 1852. In the middle of the lot, he built his house, said by some to be Georgia's finest example of Federal architecture. Mr. Nebhut was a publisher, and three of his volumes, dated 1858, 1859, 1870, are now part of a special collection in Social Circle's public library. Present-day citizens of Social Circle do not know Mr. Nebhut's fate. However, Mr. Nebhut’s house was sold first to William Akridge, and before the turn of the century, the house was sold to the Gunter Family, in whose possession it remained until 1990.
In 1992, Gunter Hall was moved to its present location, adjacent to W. H. Stanton Library on West Hightower Trail in the city of Social Circle. The Society is supported from fundraising events not only to restore and maintain Gunter Hall as a historic asset but to achieve its mission and objectives. Out of these fundraising efforts evolved one of the most popular events: Tour of Homes.
The Tour of Homes is an annual event occurring the third Saturday in September. The tour accomplishes a celebration of Social Circle’s history and the Society’s dedication to educate the community about historic properties and the people who currently live in these dwellings that have now become spokespersons to share stories and legends from past owners. This event is also an opportunity see within a historic milieu, a variety of architectural styles, landscapes, and decoration from homes dating as far back as the pre-Civil War period.
For more information about the Tour of Homes, other events, or to contribute to the Society’s efforts, please send your tax-deductible donations to:
The Historic Preservation Society of Social Circle, Inc.
P.O. Box 832
Social Circle, Georgia 30025
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