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GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Gwinnett County officials held an open house on Saturday, Oct. 18, to kick off a series of community meetings to gain public input on the restoration of the historic Maguire-Livsey Family Big House in Snellville.
The Big House was primarily occupied by two families central to Gwinnett’s history — the Maguires, who were Irish, during the 19th century and the Livseys, who were black, in the 20th century. Thomas Maguire, an Irish immigrant, bought the plantation and owned it until his death in 1886, after which the property was subdivided and later purchased by the Livsey family, descendants of slaves in the 1920s.
Photos via Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett County had purchased the historic home and four adjacent properties in 2017 to preserve it and was planning to acquire more surrounding property when the county clashed with the Livseys over the county’s plans to build replica slave quarters, alongside other buildings on the site. In 2023, the county backed off a plan to take the property by imminent domain after the Livseys announced their thoughts about preserving the family’s legacy and rich history as a thriving black community with its own businesses that became known as the Promised Land. The family said that it wanted the community and other stakeholders to provide input on the project.
While the home’s past is complex, the county has said that its restoration effort aims to honor the legacy of those who lived and labored there by ensuring the project reflects the community’s collective vision. Gwinnett County is continuing its work with New South Associates on those efforts. New South, which offers historic preservation planning, already has conducted archaeological and historic surveys of the Maguire-Livsey Family Big House, as well as oral interviews for narrative history of the house. The firm is now working with county officials to gather ideas from residents and stakeholders.
Stakeholders are encouraged to share their perspectives and ideas during the following upcoming sessions:
Monday, Oct. 20 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Anderson-Livsey Elementary School
4521 Centerville Highway, Snellville
Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Virtual meeting — register online in advance
Saturday, Nov. 8 | Noon – 4 p.m.
Grounds of the Maguire-Livsey Family Big House
4530 Anderson-Livsey Lane, Snellville
Photos via New South Associates, Facebook page.