Spartanburg County Foundation

Preservation South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and the Governor’s Office, are proud to recognize Walnut Grove Plantation with the 2026 Stewardship Award for the exemplary restoration and long-term preservation of one of South Carolina's most significant Revolutionary-era landmarks.

Established around 1765, Walnut Grove Plantation is home to one of the state's few remaining Revolutionary-era log houses and stands as a rare example of an eighteenth-century Upstate working farm. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970, the Manor House offers an extraordinary connection to South Carolina's colonial and Revolutionary history. The Moore family, who owned the plantation during the American Revolution, played an important role in the Patriot cause, and local tradition places the property at the center of events leading up to the Battle of Cowpens.

By the early 2020s, the historic Manor House faced significant structural deterioration that threatened its long-term survival. Thanks to a collaborative preservation effort led by the Spartanburg County Foundation, supported by a fundraising campaign and a grant from the South Carolina Historic Preservation Office, approximately $1.5 million was invested to stabilize and restore the property. The restoration required exceptional craftsmanship and specialized preservation techniques to address the challenges of restoring one of the state's rare unchinked log structures concealed beneath historic lap siding.

The project carefully preserved the building's historic integrity while overcoming extensive structural deterioration caused by age, insect damage, and failing timber joinery. Original timber framing was reinforced wherever possible, unstable masonry fireplaces were painstakingly dismantled and reconstructed using their original bricks, and the house was carefully lifted to install new masonry piers without compromising its historic fabric. During the restoration, conservators uncovered original grain-painted finishes and eighteenth-century hardware, providing remarkable insight into the craftsmanship and daily life of the Moore family. These discoveries were meticulously documented and incorporated into the restoration, ensuring visitors experience the house much as it appeared more than 250 years ago.

Reopened to the public in October 2025, Walnut Grove once again serves as a vibrant educational resource for Spartanburg County and the state. The restoration has expanded opportunities for school programs, heritage tourism, and public interpretation, allowing thousands of visitors each year to experience areas of the home that had long been inaccessible. The project fulfills the original vision of the property's donor by preserving Walnut Grove as an immersive educational destination where South Carolina's Revolutionary history comes alive for future generations.

Walnut Grove Plantation exemplifies the highest standards of historic preservation through its careful balance of technical excellence, historical authenticity, and community engagement. Its restoration not only saved an irreplaceable architectural landmark but also strengthened one of South Carolina's most important places for learning, reflection, and appreciation of the state's rich Revolutionary heritage.