Cobb Landmarks is proud to share that the recently completed Nellie Mae Rowe project received an award from the Georgia Association of Museums during its annual conference on February 6th. Cobb Landmarks partnered with the Vinings Village HOA and Kennesaw State University to create this new pocket park in Vinings, which honors the legacy of celebrated folk artist Nellie Mae Rowe. Located near Hotel Indigo at the former site of Rowe's home, the park and outdoor exhibit space serve as a tribute to her life and artistic vision.

Nellie Mae Rowe was born in Fayette County, Georgia, in 1900. Her father, who was formerly enslaved, was a blacksmith and farmer, and her mother was a seamstress. From her home in Vinings, Nellie used a variety of discarded materials to create paintings, drawings, sculptures, and outdoor decorations. “When other people have things that they don’t want, they throw them away, but not me; I’m going to make something,” she said.
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The project was supported by the Vinings Village Homeowners Association, Georgia State Representative Sheila Jones, Nellie Mae Rowe family members Cheryl Mashack and Cathi Perry, the High Museum of Art, and The Judith Alexander Foundation. Funding for the project was provided by individual donors and Georgia Humanities, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, through funding from the Georgia General Assembly.

We are happy to share an update on the preservation of the historic Power-Jackson Cabin as the project moves into a critical phase of restoration. The Power-Jackson Cabin is a rare single-pen log house that recently faced threats of neglect and site development. Cobb Landmarks advocated for the Power-Jackson Cabin's preservation. Our efforts included meeting with Cobb County Commissioners, speaking at Cobb County Planning Commission Zoning Hearings, and securing an expert evaluation of the cabin. After acquiring the cabin from the property owner, Cobb Landmarks and Cobb County PARKS reached an agreement in 2023 to relocate the cabin to Hyde Farm Park. On April 9, 2024, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved the use of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds to reconstruct the cabin at Hyde Farm Park.  

To ensure the cabin is restored with the highest level of craftsmanship and historical accuracy, the logs have now been temporarily relocated to Tennessee. There, the experts at Leatherwood, Inc. will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the structure. During this specialized process, each log will be inspected to determine which original timbers and boards remain sound and which pieces require careful replacement due to weathering and deterioration. This meticulous review is essential for the long-term stability of what could be the oldest existing structure in Cobb County. Once Leatherwood has completed the restoration of the individual components, the cabin will return to Hyde Farm Park for reconstruction.  

We look forward to seeing this rare piece of Georgia history standing alongside the other two historic Power family cabins at Hyde Farm. Stay tuned for more updates as the cabin makes its journey from restoration to reconstruction!