Preservation South Carolina

06/09/2026

JOIN US July 30, 2026 at the South Carolina State House as we honor the recipients of the 2026 Historic Preservation Awards. The ceremony will take place from 3:30pm - 4:30pm.

Now in its 31st year, the awards program recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the preservation, rehabilitation, and interpretation of South Carolina’s architectural and cultural heritage.

This year, 32 individuals will be recognized for their work on 13 projects throughout the state. Following the ceremony, guests are invited to attend a reception at the Taylor House, a 2025 Honor Award recipient, located at 1501 Senate Street.

06/04/2026

FOR SALE: An opportunity to restore and steward a piece of South Carolina history.

The Connor–Hodges House in Cokesbury, South Carolina, is a former Preservation South Carolina Revolving Fund property awaiting its next chapter. Built in 1850 by Francis A. Connor, the first president of the Cokesbury Masonic Female College, this home stands as a testament to the history, craftsmanship, and architectural legacy of one of South Carolina’s earliest planned communities.

With its columned façade and grand, timeworn presence, the house remains a quiet witness to generations of stories and change. Located near the historic Cokesbury College site and Mount Ariel Church, the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers an opportunity for restoration and preservation.

Cokesbury was established in 1824 and played a significant role in the educational and religious history of the region. Francis A. Connor and his wife, Frances G. Hodges, raised their family here, contributing to the legacy of the community.

Property Details:
• 3,135 square feet
• 3 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms

While the house has unfortunately lost some of its historic fabric, it remains an important historic resource due to its history and connection to the development of Cokesbury. Restoration often involves preserving what remains, repairing damage, and, where appropriate, rehabilitating lost features based on historical documentation.

We hope this property can find a steward who appreciates its history.

PRICE: $95,000
ZILLOW: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/504-Asbury-Rd-Hodges-SC-29653/125791209_zpid/

05/28/2026

Preservation News! We are excited to see the Town of Winnsboro implementing an Architectural Review Board to help preserve and guide the character of the community. This is an important step in protecting the town’s historic fabric while encouraging thoughtful growth and development.

05/28/2026

The National Trust for Historic Preservation released its 39th annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, and among the sites recognized is an important piece of South Carolina’s Revolutionary War history.

05/26/2026

South Carolina’s preservation community will gather at the State House on Thursday, July 30, 2026, as Gov. Henry McMaster, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, and Preservation South Carolina honor the recipients of the 2026 Historic Preservation Awards. The ceremony will take place from 3:30pm - 4:30pm at the South Carolina State House.

Now in its 31st year, the awards program recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the preservation, rehabilitation, and interpretation of South Carolina’s architectural and cultural heritage. Preservation South Carolina is honored to co-sponsor this program alongside the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and the Office of the Governor, recognizing the extraordinary preservation efforts taking place in communities across the state.

This year, 32 individuals will be recognized for their work on 13 projects throughout the state. Following the ceremony, guests are invited to attend a reception at the Taylor House, a 2025 Honor Award recipient, located at 1501 Senate Street.

Both the ceremony and reception are open to the public. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the reception. Information on sponsorship can be found here.
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:c0ef5440-c99a-41ac-a4db-3520339556ef

05/20/2026

Today the National Trust for Historic Preservation released its 39th annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, and among the sites recognized is an important piece of South Carolina’s Revolutionary War history.

The Battle of Hanging Rock site in Heath Springs commemorates the August 6, 1780 battle in which Patriot militia forces led by Thomas Sumter, alongside many Catawba warriors, fought British and Loyalist troops commanded by John Cruger. The battle occurred just months after the fall of Charleston and was part of a broader campaign to challenge British outposts across the South Carolina backcountry.

Today, visitors to Hanging Rock Battlefield can explore a 0.7-mile interpretive trail featuring eight stops that highlight the history and significance of the site. However, only a small portion of the original 600-acre battlefield has been preserved. Rapid population growth and ongoing development pressures threaten to fragment the battlefield’s remaining core acreage, underscoring the urgent need for additional land acquisition, park development, and long-term stewardship efforts.

A coalition led by the American Battlefield Trust — including the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, South Carolina 250 Commission, South Carolina State Parks, and Friends of Hanging Rock — has been actively working to protect key portions of the battlefield and improve public access through enhanced signage, walking tours, and preservation initiatives.

Now in its 39th year, the National Trust’s endangered places program continues to be one of the nation’s most effective tools for raising awareness about threatened historic resources. Since its inception, the initiative has helped galvanize public support for more than 350 historic sites across the country, with only a small number ultimately lost.

In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this year’s list highlights eleven places that reflect the enduring principle that all people are created equal. For the first time, each featured site will also receive a one-time $25,000 grant from the National Trust to support ongoing preservation efforts.

View the full list and learn how you can help protect these endangered historic places, here:

https://savingplaces.org/americas-most-endangered-historic-places

05/18/2026

🏛️ Preservation News!

The South Carolina Historic Properties Record (SCHPR) has launched a newly updated website with faster search capabilities and enhanced features — including the ability to search within document text.

SCHPR serves as a searchable database of online records for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as above-ground properties documented in the Statewide Survey of Historic Properties.

The updated platform provides access to scanned copies of National Register nominations from across South Carolina, complete with representative historic photographs.

This improved resource will make researching and exploring South Carolina’s historic places more accessible than ever for preservationists, researchers, students, and community advocates alike.

Learn more and explore the database here:

https://schpr.sc.gov/

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05/18/2026

05/14/2026

ADVOCACY UPDATE

We are pleased to share that S. 853, legislation concerning the Abandoned Building Tax Credit, passed the South Carolina General Assembly today and now heads to Governor Henry McMaster for signature.

This important legislation provides needed clarification and protection for one of South Carolina’s most impactful redevelopment incentives. Its passage reflects a strong statewide effort involving preservation advocates, local governments, developers, community leaders, and stakeholders across South Carolina.

S. 853 clarifies legislative intent and strengthens the program by:
• Removing the income-producing requirement
• Clarifying eligibility for state-owned buildings
• Establishing local government certification of abandonment as the final authority
• Prohibiting tax credits from being used as loan collateral

The Abandoned Building Tax Credit continues to play a critical role in encouraging investment in historic and vacant properties, supporting community revitalization, creating jobs, and preserving South Carolina’s built heritage.

Thank you to everyone who engaged in this advocacy effort!

📸Ellison Flour Mill, Fountain Inn

05/14/2026

We are excited to see the Pottersville Project featured in this week’s edition of The Edgefield Advertiser!

The article highlights the growing momentum behind the restoration of the Pottersville House and the plans for a heritage tourism site that presents the nationally significant story of Edgefield pottery and its artisans.

Preservation South Carolina is proud to support this effort through advocacy and grant assistance focused on stabilizing the historic Pottersville House and helping the Town of Edgefield advance a long-term vision for the site.

As noted in the article, future plans for Pottersville may include heritage tourism opportunities, educational programming, a living history component, and expanded interpretation of Edgefield’s pottery tradition.

We are grateful to the Town of Edgefield, Mayor Ken Durham, the advisory committee, community partners, and all those working to share this piece of South Carolina history.