Upstate Preservation Trust (UPT) is a nonprofit 501c3 organization founded in 2020 as a reaction to the urgent threat posed to Upstate South Carolina’s most important historic places. UPT grounds its work in the belief that once a historic place is destroyed, a piece of our shared cultural history is lost forever. Founded by leading preservation experts in the Upstate, UPT works with communities to help save valuable historic resources.
UPT was established with the mission to protect historic places through advocacy, education, and stewardship. Through advocacy, UPT can give a voice and heightened awareness to history that may otherwise go unnoticed. Education is an integral part of our work because only through knowledge can we help people take action to preserve history. And through the continual maintenance and monitoring of properties, we ensure that they will remain for generations to come.
To date, UPT has embarked on the ambitious effort to preserve endangered places in the Upstate, to establish a preservation easement program, and to support the continuous effort to recognize important places through historic designations.
UPT needs your support to help save the valuable history of our beloved Upstate.
Do you want to consider making an in-kind contribution or having your employees volunteer with UPT? Send us an email at upstatepreservationtrust@gmail.com.
Individual Sponsorship Levels
$2,500 - Gold
Benefits:
● Verbal recognition at all Upstate Preservation Trust events
● Business name included on event invitations, signage, and website
● Acknowledgment in event press releases sent to media and on social media, as well as e-newsletters
● Exclusive access to events for your organization
$1,000 -Silver
Benefits:
● Business name included on all event invitations, signage, and website
● Acknowledgment on social media and quarterly e-newsletters
$500 -Bronze
Benefits:
● Business name and logo included as a primary sponsor on one event of your choosing
● Acknowledged on website, social media
Current Initiatives
Preservation Easements
UPT is actively working with several property owners to acquire preservation easements on their properties. A preservation easement is a voluntary program where the property owner donates development rights to Upstate Preservation Trust. To cover legal fees and other costs associated with establishing UPT’s easement program, we are soliciting funds that will serve as the foundation for our large-scale easement program.
Historic Designations
Historic designations are one of the most important tools we can use to protect properties. UPT is striving to increase the number of local historic designations which provide protection to historic sites and National Register of Historic Places designations which establishes eligibility for tax credits and honors our local history at the national level.
Endangered Places
● Bethel AME Church: UPT is collaborating with the congregation of the church, along with the city of Seneca to create a long-term preservation plan for the property. UPT has co-authored two grants that would provide funds for the initial preservation efforts and is seeking additional support for the stabilization of the building.
● New Hope School: UPT is collaborating with developer Pacolet Milliken to establish a long-range plan for the movement and restoration of the school. The 2023 goal for UPT is to have the school listed as a local and national landmark.
● Edwards Mill: UPT is working with the private property owners to establish a long-term redevelopment plan for the mill. Initial projects include ensuring the mill is not vandalized and seeking a state historic marker to better recognize the history of the site.