Submitted by Sammy Smith (sammy@thesga.org)

The Phoenix Flies unites a community of Preservation Partners to enhance Atlanta and promote its heritage. The name comes from the mythical bird that consumed itself by fire and then rose anew from the ashes. This has been Atlanta’s nickname since the Civil War, and has been featured on the city seal since 1887. As the Phoenix Flies website notes:

In 1978 the dramatic rescue of the Fox Theatre changed Atlanta’s attitude toward its historic buildings and became the inspiration for many other successful projects that saved more of Atlanta’s historic structures, neighborhoods and sites. In 2003, as part of The Atlanta Preservation Center’s 25th anniversary celebration of the saving of the Fox, we recognized the city’s other historic attractions with our ground-breaking event, The Phoenix Flies: A Citywide Celebration of Living Landmarks.

During the seventeen days, from Saturday, March 6th, through Monday, March 22nd, of the 2010 Phoenix Flies, over forty-five historic sites will offer over 160 FREE events including guided walking tours, bicycle tours, bus tours, to lectures and storytelling, to open houses, and more! The 2010 Phoenix Flies events are listed online here.

Posted online on Saturday, March 6th, 2010