Community Corner

Group Wants to Save Historic Milton Barn

The Friends of Milton Library wants to save one of two barns on the old Dinsmore Farm property.

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Kristal Dixon, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

A nonprofit organization tasked with help develop programs for the new Milton library wants to preserve a piece of history on the property.

Friends of the Milton Library, Inc. wants to save one of two barns on the Dinsmore Farm site and are hoping to raise at least $75,000, which will be used to pour a concrete pad, relocate the barn to the backside of the property and restore the structure, said FOML secretary Kim Gauger.

The barn will be restored to house books and host special events organized by FOML, Gauger added. The second barn on the site is too dilapidated for the organization to save, she added.

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The Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System is planning to open the new Milton at 855 Mayfield Road, at the intersection of Mayfields and Charlotte roads. A groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 1. 

The proposed 25,000-square-foot facility is slated to have a collection of over 100,000 materials including books, DVDs, CDs and audiobooks. 

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It will also have computers with high-speed Internet access; wireless access; a separate children’s area; an area for adult seating; a space for teens; a browsing area of new and popular materials; as well as a general collection; reference services; and self-checkout units.

Gauger said the library system is also planning to salvage material from an old house on the property to be incorporated in the new facility's structure.

FOML had a book sale on Aug. 10 and their next book sale will be held on Oct. 5 outside Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub. 

"Our first sale was a success and we have already collected 5,000 books for the upcoming sale," she said, adding books are mostly sold at $3 or less.  

Gauger added she hopes people take an interest in their project. However, she did note she believed they will be able to achieve their task.

"Preserving the barn is just a reflection on the local community and the history of this area," she added.

Checks can be made out to the Friends of the Milton Library, Inc. and can be sent to Attn: Kim Gauger, 12220 Birmingham Hwy, Building 30, Milton, GA  30004.

FOML's current leadership includes: Matt Kunz, president; David Shannon, vice president; Karen Thurman, treasurer; Kim Gauger, secretary; and board members Bill Lusk, Bob Meyers, Gordon Hunter, Gwen Harris, Mercy Vennel and Paul Kaplan. 

The organization has several drop-off locations for books: 
  • Milton City Hall, 13000 Deerfield Parkway Suite 107; (678) 252-2400
  • Milton Fire Station #43, 750 Hickory Flat Road; (770) 777-6952
  • Shannondale Farm, 2395 Birmingham Road; (770) 569-9555
  • Urban Farmhouse, 12680 Crabapple Road; (770) 410-1112
For more information on FOML and how to join, contact Kunz at mkunz59@hotmail.com. 

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