Buckhead Heritage Secures Historic 1911 Building for Headquarters

Buckhead Heritage, a grassroots historic preservation and cultural resource organization now celebrating 20 years of serving the Buckhead community, has reached an agreement with Atlanta Public Schools to relocate its headquarters into one of Buckhead’s most storied structures, the small building at the corner of Peachtree Road and Peachtree Battle Avenue known to several generations as E.Rivers Lodge and Mrs. Bloodworth’s Kindergarten.

In partnership with the Peachtree Battle Alliance, Buckhead Heritage will invest almost $100,000 in improvements to the building and surrounding grounds, funded entirely through private support, with no taxpayer dollars used.

“This is one of the most historic buildings in Buckhead and the city of Atlanta. We don’t have many 115-year-old buildings,” said Ivan Allen, who oversaw the agreement on behalf of the organization. “I want to personally thank Chelsea Montgomery, Senior Advisor of Operational Efficiency, and Daniel Drake, Senior Executive Director, Facilities Services with APS for their hard work on this important agreement.”

“Buckhead Heritage will open this building up for the community, preserve and improve it, and create a space for residents and visitors to learn Buckhead’s history,” said Frank Virgin, Buckhead Heritage board member. “This is exactly the kind of project Buckhead Heritage was created to champion: preserving a meaningful place while giving it new life as a resource for the entire community. As we celebrate our 20th year serving Buckhead, we see this as a catalyst for broader engagement, preservation, and growth for the next 20 years and beyond.”

The modest three-room structure has played an outsized role in the neighborhood’s development. Built in 1911 as the sales office for the Peachtree Heights Development Company led by developer Eretus Rivers, the building helped launch what would become one of Atlanta’s most revered neighborhoods, Peachtree Heights West.

Renowned New York architectural firm Carrère and Hastings, whose portfolio includes the New York Public Library and other nationally recognized landmarks, designed the building.

The building later became closely tied to education in Buckhead. E.Rivers Land Development Company donated the property and building to E.Rivers School with perpetual deed restrictions requiring the site be used for educational, museum or similar community purposes — protections that remain in place today and align closely with Buckhead Heritage’s mission for the property.

From 1929 through the 1950s, it served as Mrs. Bloodworth’s Kindergarten, where generations of children began their education. The site is directly across from what is now E.Rivers Elementary School.

The property traces its roots back even further to the early 19th century, when pioneer settler Meredith Collier established a farm that stretched along Peachtree Road. In 1910, the Peachtree Heights Development Company acquired the 483-acre estate, laying the foundation for the Buckhead we know today.

Founded in 2006, Buckhead Heritage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created by residents committed to protecting the area’s historic resources. As Buckhead continues to grow, the organization plays a vital role in ensuring that its stories, structures, and cultural landmarks are not lost. The organization maintains several historic cemeteries, partners with the Atlanta History Center on an oral history program, hosts free monthly lectures, and organizes community fundraising events. The new headquarters will allow Buckhead Heritage to expand these efforts, creating a dedicated space for programming, education, and community gatherings.

With the agreement in place, Buckhead Heritage is inviting residents, businesses, and community leaders to support the next chapter of this historic site. Opportunities include membership, sponsorship, and direct contributions toward preservation and programming. “This building has served Buckhead for more than a century,” Allen said. “With the community’s support, it will continue to do so for generations to come.”