A historic Buckhead building that helped shape one of Atlanta’s earliest planned neighborhoods will soon serve a new purpose as the headquarters of Buckhead Heritage under an agreement with Atlanta Public Schools.
The preservation nonprofit announced it has reached an agreement with APS to relocate its headquarters to the small building at the corner of Peachtree Road and Peachtree Battle Avenue, known over the years as both the E. Rivers Lodge and Mrs. Bloodworth’s Kindergarten.
Buckhead Heritage, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, said it will partner with the Peachtree Battle Alliance to invest nearly $100,000 in privately funded improvements to the building and surrounding grounds. No public funds will be used for the project, according to a press release.
“This is one of the most historic buildings in Buckhead and the city of Atlanta,” said Ivan Allen, who helped oversee the agreement for Buckhead Heritage. “We don’t have many 115-year-old buildings.”
Built in 1911, the three-room structure originally served as the sales office for the Peachtree Heights Development Co., led by developer Eretus Rivers. The office played a key role in marketing what became the Peachtree Heights West neighborhood, one of Buckhead’s most prominent residential communities.
The building was designed by the New York architectural firm Carrère and Hastings, whose work includes the New York Public Library and other nationally recognized landmarks.
The site later became closely associated with education in Buckhead. The E. Rivers Land Development Co. donated the property to E. Rivers School with deed restrictions requiring it be used for educational, museum or similar community purposes. Those restrictions remain in effect.
From 1929 through the 1950s, the building housed Mrs. Bloodworth’s Kindergarten, serving generations of Buckhead children. It sits directly across from today’s E. Rivers Elementary School.
Buckhead Heritage officials said the new headquarters will provide space for educational programming, community gatherings and preservation initiatives. The nonprofit currently maintains several historic cemeteries, partners with the Atlanta History Center on an oral history project and hosts monthly public lectures.
Board member Frank Virgin said the project aligns with the organization’s mission of preserving significant community landmarks while making them accessible to residents.
“This is exactly the kind of project Buckhead Heritage was created to champion,” Virgin said.
Founded in 2006, Buckhead Heritage works to preserve the area’s historic resources and cultural landmarks as the community continues to grow. Organization leaders said they plan to seek community support through memberships, sponsorships and donations to help fund the building’s preservation and future programming.
