Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) will host a special discussion about “Evolving the Revolving Fund” on Thursday, September 19 at the HSF headquarters, located at 321 E. York St., as part of the 2024 Historic Savannah Foundation Lecture Series, “The People, Places and Stories That Define Savannah.” Attendees are invited to a wine reception at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will start at 6 p.m.

This event will feature Historic Savannah Foundation Director of Preservation and Historic Properties Ellie Isaacs discussing HSF’s Revolving Fund and Easement programs, which have saved more than 420 historic properties across Savannah. She will explore the history of HSF’s Revolving Fund, share success stories and discuss the future of the Revolving Fund.

The HSF Revolving Fund raises private money to purchase vacant, endangered historic properties; stabilizes them; and sells them to preservation-minded buyers. The money from each sale goes back into the Revolving Fund to purchase the next endangered property. Since its inception, the HSF Revolving Fund has become one of the most respected programs of its kind and continues to serve as the model for similar programs in cities across the county.

 “The Revolving Fund is our primary tool for saving and protecting endangered historic properties throughout the Savannah area,” said Historic Savannah Foundation CEO and President Sue Adler. “Ellie’s lecture will offer an inspiring look at the history of the Revolving Fund as well as a fascinating glimpse into the future of historic preservation in Savannah.”  

 Isaacs will also discuss how HSF is currently working to evolve the Revolving Fund program through strategic expansion into new sectors, such as acquiring commercial properties with the goal of bringing much-needed services to neighborhoods, utilizing the active real estate market and expanding programs to surrounding communities through strategic partnerships.

 Isaacs joined HSF in January 2024 and has more than a decade of experience in historic preservation. She previously worked at a local preservation construction company and as a historic preservation specialist for an award-winning architecture firm in Savannah, Ga. A former HSF summer intern, she earned a B.F.A. in Historic Preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and meets the Professional Qualifications for Architectural History by the Secretary of the Interior.

 Dedicated to giving back to the community, Isaacs previously served as the Chair of the Savannah Historic District Board of Review and was a board member for more than five years. She also served as a member of HSF’s Architectural Review Committee for three years, reviewing projects prior to their submission to the Historic Preservation Commission.

 The next speaker in HSF’s 2024 Lecture Series will be the Coastal Heritage Society’s Chief Curator Catherine Duffy discussing “Revolutionary Savannah: The Story of the 19 Revolutionary War Cannons Recovered from the Savannah River” on October 10. For more information about the HSF Lecture Series, please visit myhsf.org.

Historic Savannah Foundation’s 2024 Lecture Series is open to the public. Reservations are recommended, as space is limited. Attendance is free for Historic Savannah Foundation members and $15 for non-members. Members and non-members may RSVP by emailing Kendall Graham at [email protected] or calling 912-233-7787, ext. 109.