Community Highlights: Meet David Yoakley Mitchell of Atlanta Preservation Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Yoakley Mitchell.

Hi David Yoakley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
David Yoakley Mitchell graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA-96) and studied photography and anthropology. Attending ART School was transformative and set the course for my life in every way.

He is the Executive Director of the Atlanta Preservation Center. During his tenure he has been able to participate in the preservation of 229 Auburn Avenue – Atlanta State Savings Bank and 250 Auburn Avenue – the Oddfellows Building. He has also assisted in getting both South View Cemetery, the Constitution Building and Tuxedo Park on the National Register. Finally, he has partnered in the processes that have seen St. Mark AME Church, Pershing Point Park, Chastain Arts Centre, the Ormewood Avenue Bridge, Peachtree Circle Local Landmark District and the Randolph-Lucas-Jones Home being locally landmarked and protected.
He has also donated and worked with the University of Georgia Special Collections Library, Georgia State Special Collections Library, Georgia Tech Special Collections Library, Mercer University Special Collections Library, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections Library, North Carolina State University Special Collections Research Center (SCRC), Special Collections Research Center
George Mason University, the Auburn Avenue Research Library, the DeKalb History Center, the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, High Museum of Art and the Breman Museum and Cultural Center to expand their collections.

He is the Chair of the Penn Center, in Beaufort, South Carolina – which is the campus of the former Penn School, one of the nation’s first schools for formerly enslaved people and is one of the most significant African American institutions in existence today. This historic and cultural institution is a National Historic Landmark District and comprises two of the four sites in Reconstruction Era National Park, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been hard as HELL!

Historic Preservation exemplifies how to better appreciate the value of America’s historic places as definers of our national character. We should be advocating/encouraging thoughtful preservation of Atlanta- now more than ever. Historic Preservation is accepted as a key component for a thriving livable community that can support varied and rich experiences. Understanding how to retain historic character and cultural diversity, should be embraced as a universal goal, and we are all indebted to those who had the foresight and self-determination to protect and steward the interests of the citizens of Atlanta and all its contributing and significant neighborhoods.

Getting this to be understood is lifetime goal – and NOT EASY!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The mission of the Atlanta Preservation Center is to promote the preservation of Atlanta’s architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings, neighborhoods and landscapes through education and advocacy.

As the oldest non-profit for Historic Preservation in Atlanta – I feel that we do it in a way that is both altruistic, emphatic and thoughtfully – which is the groundwork for sustainability and success for the future.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Time with my Father –

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.atlantapreservationcenter.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preserveatl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtlantaPreservationCenter