Georgia College’s Andalusia was recently given national recognition as a Distinctive Destination by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Home of famed author and Georgia College alumna Flannery O’Conner, the site is now one of 180 historic destinations throughout the United States and Caribbean to achieve this ranking.

Last year, Georgia College’s Old Governor’s Mansion was also recognized as a national Distinctive Destination. The application for national recognition includes description of a site’s history and architecture, as well as photographs.
 
“These recognitions provide a uniqueness for the college,” said Matt Davis, director of Historic Museums. “This validates the preservation work occurring at the Andalusia site. It opens new audiences for the museum and provides greater national recognition for Andalusia, as well as the university.”
 
The O’Connor farmhouse and land was gifted to Georgia College in 2017. Andalusia was first settled in 1814 as a cotton plantation. It was purchased in 1931 by O’Connor’s uncle, Dr. Bernard Cline, and used for dairy and beef farming. The farm environment influenced many settings in O’Connor’s writings which include two novels, 39 short stories and more than 100 literary critiques.  
 
After a diagnosis of lupus in 1951, the prolific writer lived at the property under the care of her mother, Regina Cline O’Connor. She died in 1964.
 
Since obtaining the property, Georgia College has completed a full conservation and stabilization project of the main house’s foundation and windows. Improvements include installation of a new gutter system, restoring several rooms to original use, bringing back original collections, landscaping, restoring original fencing and improving the property entrance.

On display currently at Andalusia is "Black Hats," a collection of 14 black hats that belonged to O’Connor and her mother. The headwear shows a variety of mid-20th century styles—berets, skippers and chaplets.
 
The exhibit will be at Andalusia through Dec. 22. Tours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $2 for non-GC students.