Mission and Services
Good Hope Baptist Church, Eastover
About Preservation South Carolina
Preservation South Carolina preserves and protects South Carolina's historic buildings and places, advocating for their productive use, and promoting the state's diverse cultural legacy.
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Established in 1990, Preservation South Carolina is South Carolina’s only statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation. For more than 30 years, Preservation SC has developed programs and undertaken initiatives that have preserved a variety of our state’s historic landmarks.
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Preservation South Carolina works for:
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​The advocacy of historic preservation, with an active voice raised to state government leaders on behalf of preservation legislation, and in community efforts to save historic properties.
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The education about our state’s history and culture, by talking with individuals and groups in South Carolina communities that harbor historic properties in need of preserving.
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The funding of historic preservation efforts, by providing assistance to communities, organizations and individuals that are dedicated to preserving our state’s rich and diverse past.
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The preservation of properties, with real input in acquiring, stabilizing, and reselling historic buildings for proper rehabilitation and reuse.
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The networking of passionate and talented preservationists who can work together to professionally preserve our state.
Impact
South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Tax Credit
Preservation SC played the key advocacy role in developing the Abandoned Buildings Tax Credit in 2013. Since its inception, the act has successfully rehabilitated over 2,200 buildings, generating more than $385 million in statewide investments. In 2024, South Carolina legislature passed both an expansion and extension of the act.
Protecting Historic Properties
We hold preservation easements on 45 historic properties located in 21 different counties across. Our easement program is designed to preserve the distinctive historic or architectural features of the historic buildings in South Carolina.
Properties that are protected range from large rural estates, to Main Street commercial buildings and historic homes.
Endangered Properties
Our organization has purchased and resold 24 threatened historic buildings in 12 different counties.
Places saved include the Wilkins House in Greenville, abandoned churches in Richland and Newberry County, and Red Doe Plantation in Florence County. Current projects include the Edgefield Hotel on the town square in Edgefield and the E.T. West House in Darlington.
State Historic Preservation Awards
Since 1995 Preservation SC has partnered with the Governor’s Office and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History in recognizing outstanding projects and individuals in the field of historic preservation. As the nonprofit partner, Preservation SC organizes and executes the submission and jury process while also coordinating the program with both of our public and private sector partners. To date, more than 300 individuals, organizations and projects have been recognized through this program, including 29 recipients of the Governor’s Award.
