Albany scavenger hunt aims to connect residents with city’s historic identity

ALBANY — Historic preservation is about more than saving old buildings. In communities like Albany, preservationists say it is about protecting the stories, struggles and identities tied to the places that shaped the city — and making sure future generations understand where they came from.

That message sits at the center of this year’s National Preservation Month theme, “All People Are Created Equal,” which coincides with the approaching 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The theme encourages communities to recognize historic places that reflect the nation’s ongoing pursuit of equality and a “more perfect union,” while also acknowledging the complicated and incomplete history behind those ideals.

Locally, the Albany/Dougherty Historic Preservation Commission is marking Preservation Month with a communitywide scavenger hunt designed to introduce residents to Albany’s historic landmarks, neighborhoods and cultural sites while encouraging people to rediscover the city’s architectural and historical identity.

During the commission’s May meeting, commissioners described the scavenger hunt as both educational and community-driven. 

“The theme that has been set for this year is ‘All People Are Created Equal,’ and it’s going along with the 250th celebration of America,” a spokesperson said during a report to the commission. “It’s just a way for people to go to the buildings and learn more about Albany.” 

The scavenger hunt includes 30 historical challenges tied to Albany landmarks and preservation sites. Forms are available through several partner organizations, including the Albany Area Arts Council, Albany Civil Rights Institute, Thronateeska Heritage Center and the Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau. Participants who complete and return the forms by May 31 will be entered to win a prize.

Organizers of the event described Preservation Month as “a moment to honor the places that spark joy, inspire wonder, and connect us to our shared story,” adding that “the places that make us who we are deserve to be celebrated and protected.”

The statement also connects this year’s preservation efforts to the nation’s approaching semiquincentennial celebration.

“As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we’re reflecting on the places that bring its most powerful promise to life, that ‘all people are created equal,’” the release states. “These historic spaces tell the story of who we are and how far we’ve come on our journey toward a more perfect union.”

The South Georgia Archives, which partnered with the preservation commission on the scavenger hunt, described the monthlong event as an opportunity for residents to “explore Albany’s history, rediscover local landmarks, and celebrate the people working to preserve them.”

Commissioners said the effort is intended to create more public engagement with historic preservation at a time when many communities struggle to balance growth, redevelopment and maintaining historic character.

“How can we achieve more community engagement?” one commissioner asked while discussing ways to expand awareness of the scavenger hunt through local businesses and downtown partnerships. 

Commissioners also pointed to the role preservation can play in economic development and revitalization efforts downtown. Throughout the meeting, preservation standards were discussed, not as barriers to development, but as tools intended to maintain the character and authenticity that make historic districts distinct.

That balance has become increasingly important as Albany continues to redevelop older commercial buildings, recruit new businesses downtown and restore long-neglected properties.

For preservation advocates, initiatives like the scavenger hunt offer a way to make those conversations accessible to the broader public — particularly younger residents who may not realize the historical significance tied to familiar streets, storefronts and neighborhoods.

This year’s national theme also carries particular weight in Albany, a city deeply tied to the Civil Rights Movement and broader struggles surrounding equality, voting rights and access.

By encouraging residents to physically visit historic locations, organizers hope the scavenger hunt transforms preservation from an abstract concept into something personal and visible.