Mary Gregory Jewett graduated from the University of Georgia in 1930 and became an outstanding leader in historic preservation in Georgia. She was a journalist, historian and public official. After joining the staff of the Georgia Historical Commission in1955, Mrs. Jewett was appointed Executive Secretary in 1960 and was later named Director of the Commission, becoming one of the first women to head a state agency. She was president of Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation which she helped establish in 1973. She was appointed State Historic Preservation Officer by Governor Lester Maddox and Governor (and later President) Jimmy Carter.

Mary was the first Georgian to serve on the Council of the American Association of State and Local History and was selected as the representative of the south eastern states on the Council of State Preservation Officers. She served on the Board of Governors of the Georgia Agricultural Development Board, the predecessor to theCommerce, Industry & Trade and Economic Development Departments. Her many other positions of leadership included membership on the Georgia Civil War Centennial Commission and the distinction of being one of the two Georgia representatives to the Bicentennial Council of the Thirteen Original States.

Mrs. Jewett was the daughter of Cleburne E. Gregory and Sarah Adelaide Collis –brother: Cleburne Earl Gregory, Jr. – sister: Adelaide Gregory Norton – son: GeorgeCleburne Jewett. Prior to receiving her BA degree in Journalism, Cum Laude, she attended Decatur High School and Agnes Scott College. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Theta Sigma Pi, Chi Omega and the Methodist Church. Her many honors included the prestigious Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History. The New Georgia Encyclopedia mentions her prominently in the material on Georgia Historical Commission.

On December 21, 1975 the Atlanta Journal & Constitution featured her in their magazine section, commending her for exceptional service and calling her a“champion of our past”. Mary Gregory Jewett is one of the most outstanding and respected historians and historic preservationists in the history of the State of Georgia. She served the State of Georgia well and provided effective assistance and guidance to local governments and organizations throughout the state.