Dr. Ben Grace
A native of the state of Georgia, Dr. Ben Grace has been a volunteer leader in historic preservation at the local, state and national levels. After helping to found an award-winning local preservation organization, Ben served as a trustee of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and as a valued longtime member of the National Trust's Board of Advisors. But his commitment to the cause of preservation goes well beyond volunteerism: He has also restored historic properties in Savannah, Albany and Thomasville.
Recognizing that the establishment of the Georgia Preservation Fund represented an opportunity to help perpetuate his interest in protecting Georgia's historic places, Ben generously donated his historic residence, the Burbank Cottage (c. 1890) to the National Trust through the Gifts of Heritage program, retaining a life estate. Today, Ben still lives in his beloved home, satisfied knowing that the house will be protected in perpetuity by preservation easements with the National Trust, and that proceeds from its eventual sale will benefit the Georgia Preservation Fund, supporting preservation projects across the state he calls home.
