Hi,  my name is Nick Sakas, and I am a grad student in the Heritage Preservation Program at Georgia State. My focus is in Public History. I am originally from Atlanta, growing up on the Southside in Riverdale near the airport. I currently reside in Grayson Georgia with my wife Paula and my son Jason. I am particularly interested in historical interpretation, and hope to start a career in interpretation with the National Park Service, however I am open to all influences. My undergrad degree is also in history from Georgia State.

I became interested in history at a young age when my father would often take me to historical sites. These experiences allowed me to feel the power of history in a place. This love of history has only grown as I have gotten older, and I wish to pass the passion I have for history down to others if possible. My favorite historical focus is on Native American history, and I have worked on several projects relating to this subject.

My initial thoughts on digital history are varied. On the one hand digital history has opened up history to a greater audience with blogging, online exhibits, and virtual museums. However, growing up slightly before the digital age has made catching on to this new source of creating and sharing history somewhat intimidating.

Research Topic:

For my research project I have chosen to research the history of the Bellwood Quarry. I have a interest in natural history, and this element of the beltline project lends itself to this kind of research. The plans for the Quarry are to create a new Atlanta Park that will cover almost three times the acreage of the current largest park, Piedmont Park. The quarry was operational for over 100 years. It has also been used as a set for films and television shows. Additionally it was the dumping grounds for the debris created from the removal of the old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. I am interested in researching what the quarry was used for before its days as a quarry, its current uses, and how it will be transformed into Atlanta’s largest park.