Juile O'Connor

Preservation South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and the Governor’s Office, are proud to recognize Julie O'Connor, founder of Save Our Structures Charleston (SOS Charleston), with the 2026 Preservation Service Award for her visionary leadership in documenting, protecting, and advocating for Charleston's vulnerable historic buildings. Through her innovative, community-driven approach to preservation, O'Connor has created a powerful model for how research, technology, and public engagement can work together to safeguard South Carolina's architectural heritage.

In 2018, recognizing the growing threat that development and neglect posed to Charleston's historic neighborhoods, O'Connor launched SOS Charleston to identify and document endangered historic buildings throughout the Charleston peninsula. Beginning with a survey of more than 150 at-risk properties, she assembled a dedicated team of volunteers, interns, and community partners to create a comprehensive record of vulnerable structures—particularly modest vernacular buildings that often receive less attention but are essential to Charleston's historic character. The survey has been updated regularly, creating an invaluable record that tracks changes in building conditions, identifies preservation priorities, and informs efforts to prevent unnecessary demolition.

O'Connor's greatest innovation came through transforming this research into a publicly accessible resource. In partnership with the Preservation Society of Charleston and GIS consultant SymGEO, SOS Charleston launched SOSchs.com, an interactive online map that allows residents, preservation advocates, and policymakers to explore historic properties by neighborhood, architectural style, building type, and preservation status. More than a static database, the platform is a living preservation tool that encourages community participation while making critical preservation information accessible to everyone.

The impact of SOS Charleston extends far beyond documentation. Survey data has become an important resource in evaluating demolition requests before Charleston's Board of Architectural Review, providing historic documentation that informs preservation decisions and, in some cases, guides the accurate reconstruction of endangered buildings. The project has also demonstrated how preservation can support broader community priorities, including neighborhood revitalization, legacy homeownership, and housing, reinforcing the important role that historic buildings play in creating vibrant and sustainable communities.


Built largely through volunteer effort and grassroots collaboration, SOS Charleston has overcome the challenges of limited funding and fragmented historical records to become one of the state's most innovative preservation initiatives. O'Connor's leadership has shown that thoughtful documentation is not simply about recording what has been lost, but about providing communities with the knowledge and tools needed to protect what remains. Her collaborative work with the Preservation Society of Charleston, the City of Charleston, and countless volunteers has created a model that can be replicated in communities across South Carolina.

Through her dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to preservation, Julie O'Connor has transformed the way Charleston identifies, understands, and protects its historic built environment. Her work has empowered citizens, strengthened preservation advocacy, and ensured that the stories embodied in South Carolina's historic buildings will continue to be recognized and preserved for generations to come.
To explore the Save Our Structures Charleston interactive database and learn more about vulnerable historic properties on the Charleston peninsula, visit SOSchs.com Interactive Map.