A Nonprofit Membership Organization Working for South Carolinians Since 1990.

Headlines + Happenings

July 14, 2026

In 2019, I spoke to a small audience at the Huguenot Church in Charleston about my new book, South Carolina’s Sacred Spaces. After my talk, a woman in her mid-80s approached me and said that she also loved our state’s rural historic churches. Her name was Gaye Sanders Fisher.

If the phrase, “Renaissance Woman” ever appears in Western civilization - and I don’t think it will - Gaye, a writer, watercolor artist, organist, businesswoman, and philanthropist, should be in its inaugural class. But I remember Gaye less for her talents and more for her joie de vivre.

I ask you, how many women in their late 80s would drive from Charleston to Travelers Rest in a sporty yellow jeep so that they could spend a weekend visiting forgotten rural churches in the rain and fog of a cold Upstate weekend? And no, Gaye did not collapse after our first long day, she wished instead to chat about the day over a vodka or two before heading downtown for dinner at a fine downtown Greenville restaurant. Let’s do it again tomorrow, she said, before turning in for the night.

In early 2024, I visited Gaye for what I knew would be the last time. I walked past the yellow jeep that had not been driven for months, knocked on the door of her Myrtle Beach home, and was soon in the living room with Gaye and her live-in nurse. How are you coming along with restoring Taveau, Gaye asked. Gaye, we are going to restore that church, I promise you! Well, good, I look forward to seeing it! We talked for a few more minutes but seeing her tire I knew it best to leave. Gaye, I will see you in a month or two, I said, not for a minute believing what I had just said.

Two months later she was gone. I paid my respects at the well-attended funeral and thought that was the end of the Gaye Sanders Fisher story. I was so wrong. A few months later, Joanna called me.

Bill, did you know a Gaye Sanders Fisher? Yes, she was a dear friend, the grandmother I wished I had as a kid. Well, you’re not going to believe this, but I just received a call from her estate attorney. In her will, she left a significant amount of money to Preservation South Carolina’s Sacred Spaces Fund. Did she ever tell you that she was going to do this? No! Absolutely not! Oh, this is all so Gaye!

Gaye’s generous gift has allowed us to move forward with the exterior work at her beloved Taveau. There should also be ample funds remaining from her gift to help us preserve a few more of our state’s rural churches. Some may call it a coincidence that she and I met, some might say it was destiny, others God’s will, but all I know is that I am grateful that Gaye and I met, and for the brief, meaningful, and inspirational time that we had together.

Work included in Phase II consists of:

• Restoration of the church's original windows, shutters, and doors

• Repair and replacement of deteriorated siding and trim

• Restoration of the front portico and its columns

• Installation of a new standing-seam metal roof

• Repainting of the exterior

• Restoration and structural reinforcement of the historic interior gallery

We're pleased to report that the windows, shutters, and doors are currently being restored in the workshop of our preservation contractor, Meadors, Inc. Installation is scheduled to begin in July 2026, bringing another visible milestone in Taveau's preservation.

Why Taveau Matters

Built around 1840, Taveau Church occupies a unique place in South Carolina history. Located along the Cooper River, the church served enslaved worshippers through the Methodist Mission, later becoming a Reconstruction-era schoolhouse for formerly enslaved children. Taveau remained an active congregation for more than 130 years. Today, it stands as an important place where the history of faith, slavery, freedom, and community can be preserved and shared.

Looking Ahead

Preservation News

- The National Trust for Historic Preservation elected Brent Leggs as its 11th president and CEO. Leggs, the founder of the Trust's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, succeeds former president Carol Quillen. Learn more here. 

- 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. View database here.

- The South Carolina Archives and History Foundation will host the 5th Annual Preserving Historic Cemeteries Workshop at the South Carolina Archives and History Center in Columbia on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Early-bird registration is $50, with the schedule and registration available on the Foundation’s website here.

-The WeGOJA Foundation, in partnership with the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, is hosting a Preservation Night School, an after-hours virtual series with tips on how to manage preservation projects. Learn more and register here.

-The Town of Winnsboro is establishing an Architectural Review Board to help preserve its historic character while supporting thoughtful growth and development. Volunteers are needed to serve on the board - Questions? Contact: (803) 635-6364 or chris.clauson@townofwinnsboro.sc.gov | View volunteer application here. 

- Legislation concerning the Abandoned Building Tax Credit passed the South Carolina General Assembly and has been signed by Governor Henry McMaster. This important legislation provides needed clarification and protection for one of South Carolina’s most impactful redevelopment incentives. Learn more here. 

-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. Learn more here.

- The 9th Annual Slave Dwelling Project Conference is October 1–3, 2026 in North Charleston. The conference theme is "250 Years and Counting: Reckoning, Resilience, and Remembrance." More information can be found here.

- View recently added South Carolina sites, districts, and properties to the National Register of Historic Places here.

Built in the mid-19th century and once known as "The Shrubs," the Dawkins House stands at the end of Church Street on the USC Union campus as an important reminder of Union County's complex history. The grant will fund critical structural improvements, including the installation of new foundation piers, reinforcement of the home's framing and roof system, and construction of a new interior staircase in the location of the original historic spiral staircase.

Beyond preserving an important historic landmark, the project will create new opportunities for education and community engagement. Beginning in fall 2026, USC Union plans to offer a genealogical and archives course centered on the history of the Dawkins House, its occupants, and the approximately 30 enslaved individuals documented as living on the property before the Civil War. The course will invite students and community members to explore local history, ancestry, and archival research while working to identify individuals who are currently known only through historical records.

Once restoration is complete, the building will be known as The Willie and Mary Jeffries Commons at Dawkins House, honoring the extraordinary legacy of Coach Willie Jeffries and Mrs. Mary Jeffries, whose lifelong commitment to education, leadership, mentorship, and community service has inspired generations. The name preserves the historic identity of the Dawkins House while reflecting its renewed purpose as a welcoming gathering place for students, alumni, faculty, corporate partners, and the broader community. The second floor will serve as office space for USC Union, while the first floor will host alumni events, community gatherings, professional meetings, and other special events.

The Timken Foundation's investment marks an important milestone in preserving one of Union's historic treasures while ensuring that The Willie and Mary Jeffries Commons at Dawkins House will serve as a place for learning, reflection, collaboration, and community connection.

View the restoration campaign and learn about ways to get involved, here. 

The ET West House Welcomes a New Steward 

Darlington, SC

In 2024, the ET West House was acquired through the Preservation SC Revolving Fund as a part of our Endangered Places Program. Our goal was to restore the deteriorated front facade before locating a preservation-minded buyer to be the steward of the property.

Before and after restoration of the front facade. Photos courtesy of Anna Garrison.

Thank you to our Business Members!

Preservation South Carolina

1109 Broad Street, 2H

Camden, SC 29020

803.729.7782

You are receiving this email as you signed up for our newsletters.

Want to change how you receive these emails?

You can Unsubscribe or Update your preferences