Preservation South Carolina Year-End Review
Over the last year, your support has allowed us to continue our mission of preserving and protecting South Carolina's historic buildings and places, advocating for their productive use, and promoting the state's diverse cultural legacy. Here are a few highlights from this year, made possible with your support.
01
Community Projects
Taveau Church in Berkeley County, The Dawkins House in Union County, and The Pottersville House in Edgefield County
02
Events
Recap of events from 2025!
03
Join Our Cause
Support one of our projects or our operational fund and make a tangible impact in safeguarding South Carolina's rich history.
TAVEAU CHURCH
By the early 1840s, enslaved men and women who worked on the plantations of the Cooper River were attending worship at Taveau, a stately wooden church built on Clermont Plantation under the direction of Martha Caroline Swinton Ball Taveau. Even though the United Methodist Conference closed its doors in 1974 to merge its congregation within another nearby church, Taveau, incredibly, still stands, a credit to the local Cordesville community who for 50 years reached into personal pockets to preserve “their church.”
But there comes a time in the life of any old building, whether it’s in downtown Charleston or in tiny Cordesville, where the preservation costs become so great that outside help is needed to restore what should not be lost. In June 2023, we purchased then dilapidated Taveau from the United Methodist Conference.
$336,000
This is the amount need to finished our permanent stabilization measures, ensuring the building will remain standing for another 125 years. This will specifically support:
- Restoration of windows (11 of 12 original windows survive)
- Shutter restoration (11 of 12 remain)
- Restoration of all 4 doors, repair/replacement of siding and trim
- Restoration of portico and portico columns
- New metal roof and repainting of the exterior
- The existing interior gallery will be restored/repaired and reinforced as part of this
phase as well.
DAWKINS HOUSE
In 2023, Preservation SC purchased the then-dilapidated Dawkins House at a delinquent tax sale, with the goal of stabilizing and preserving the historical house for future productive use and study. Situated prominently on USC Union’s campus, USC Union will become the house’s long-term steward after Preservation SC’s stabilization work has been completed and will maintain and utilize the house as an Alumni and Corporate Center.
Built in 1845 as a large addition to a small pre-existing house, the Dawkins House is most notably regarded as the former home of Judge Thomas N. Dawkins and his second wife, Mary Poulton Dawkins. Initially named "the Shrubs" after Mary Poulton's childhood home in England, this two-story, clapboard “terminus” building has five bedrooms, a library/study, two parlors, and eight fireplaces. Portions of the pre-existing structure date back to the 1790s making it one of Union's oldest surviving homes, existing during the time of George Washington’s and John Adams’ presidencies.
$500,000
This is the amount needed to finished our EMERGENCY stabilization measures. This phase will be much more extensive and expensive, enabling Preservation SC to hand over the house to the university for finishing and customization. This will specifically support:
-- Installation of new piers on concrete footings in the crawlspace;
-- Strengthening of porch, first and second floor framings, the roof system and all walls;
-- Installation of the required framing for a new interior staircase where the original historic, spiral staircase was located in the central hall. This will entail strengthening the floors and walls in this area, including any necessary new footings in the crawlspace.
POTTERSVILLE HOUSE
Edgefield, South Carolina is rooted in significant historic and cultural treasures; the Town aims to further leverage these resources to attract tourists and their respective spending, enhancing Edgefield’s designation as “The Gateway to Southern History.”
Located on the outskirts of Edgefield is a property known as the Pottersville House.
Built in 1845 as a large addition to a small pre-existing house, the Dawkins House is most notably regarded as the former home of Judge Thomas N. Dawkins and his second wife, Mary Poulton Dawkins. Initially named "the Shrubs" after Mary Poulton's childhood home in England, this two-story, clapboard “terminus” building has five bedrooms, a library/study, two parlors, and eight fireplaces. Portions of the pre-existing structure date back to the 1790s making it one of Union's oldest surviving homes, existing during the time of George Washington’s and John Adams’ presidencies.
$100,000
This is the amount needed to conduct an important archaeological survey of the property and support Phase II emergency stabilization measures.
Message from Chairman, John Hildreth
"As you reflect on these achievements, I urge you to recognize the critical role you play in our continued success. Preservation South Carolina’s programs depend on the generosity of members who understand the value of our shared heritage. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or advocacy, your involvement makes all the difference.
Please consider renewing your support for Preservation South Carolina today. Together, we can continue to rescue endangered landmarks, protect irreplaceable sites, and inspire new generations to value the legacy we share. Your donation, your time, and your voice are vital to our mission.
Thank you for all you have done and all you will do. With your help, Preservation South Carolina can remain a vital force in seeing that historic preservation works to enrich the lives of all South Carolinians."
Events from 2025
This year, we partnered with various organizations across the state to host a range of successful events! Stay tuned for more events in 2026.
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