News Release
Photo courtesy of Georgia College
News Release Date: February 24, 2022
Contact: NewsMedia@nps.gov
WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS) today announced the designation of Andalusia Farm in Milledgeville, Georgia, as a National Historic Landmark (NHL) for its nationally significant association with Flannery O’Connor, one of the most influential American authors of the mid-twentieth century.
From 1951 until her death in 1964, O’Connor completed the bulk of her work at this home, which ultimately totaled two novels, 32 short stories and over 100 literary critiques. Now owned by the Georgia College and State University Foundation, the house has undergone only minor alterations since her death. Many of the personalities and environs in and around Andalusia served as the inspiration for the places or characters within her works.
“It’s so important that the places we deem nationally significant represent the diversity of the American experience. O’Connor’s contributions represent a unique space in American literature and her works continue to inspire new generations,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “Through technical assistance and grant programs, the National Park Service supports community efforts to identify and nominate locally important sites worthy of national recognition. Without robust community support, like the efforts made here with Andalusia Farm, many of these stories might go unnoticed.”
O’Connor moved to Andalusia with her mother in 1951 after being diagnosed with lupus. Her unorthodox combination of religious themes, violence, and the grotesque challenged expectations of both religious and Southern gothic literature. Many American writers and artists cite her work as an important influence, and her work continues to attract scholarly attention. O’Connor’s observations of the people of Andalusia Farm inspired many of her stories and characters, and the farm’s buildings and landscapes are recognizable in much of her fiction.
“We are so pleased that Flannery O’Connor’s home has gained national attention through this distinction,” said Cathy Cox, president of Georgia College. “A notable figure in the literary world, her creative works continue to impact many of our students and aspiring authors throughout the world. We are honored to be able to preserve this pivotal part of Flannery’s legacy here at Georgia College.”
Properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the National Historic Landmarks program are eligible for several federal preservation benefits, including preservation grants and investment tax credits. Nominations typically begin with private individuals and organizations, local governments, and American Indian tribes. To help shepherd this process, the NPS offers technical assistance in drafting nominations and competitive grants to support the inclusion of stories like O’Connor’s.
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About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
Last updated: February 24, 2022