Preservation News 

After receiving a South Carolina Regrant for purchasing collection storage materials in 2022 for September 2022 through May 2023, the volunteers at our history museum worked diligently to purchase the materials and catalogue the collections. This work has catapulted our museum’s research capabilities beyond expectations, and educators from the University of South Carolina Upstate have joined in this work by providing interns and beginning research relating to Women in World War II. Also, a professor and the history librarian facilitating this work have promoted our connections online, and the university recognized these students and educators for their efforts to several collections donated by the Ropers, Paynes, Hammetts, and others. The museum will be open to visitors to see the completion of this step in the RISING of Piedmont’s History Museum.

Please join us in celebrating this momentous accomplishment!

Spring Textile Heritage at the Park 

Piedmont Manufacturing Company was represented at the spring Textile Heritage Celebration at Textile Park near Monaghan Mill on Smythe Street in Greenville on May 6th, 2023. Joe Hursey provided the historical display sharing newspaper articles, handwritten letters, photographs, and other items from our collections relating to the history of Piedmont, the first large textile mill in the Upstate. He also included information about the work of our society and museum. Supporting him at the celebration were Christine and Jorge Perez-Rubio, Ed Betterly, and Anne Peden.

Piedmont Lion’s Club Citizen of the Year

Our Joe Hursey was awarded a plaque as the Piedmont Lion’s Club Citizen of the Year in May. He was recognized at a dinner by the club and we are so proud of him for his work to improve our museum. Thanks to the Lions for this honor!

Fork Shoals Historical Society and County Historic Preservation Commission News

Two members of the Fork Shoals Historical Society, Jim Scott and Anne Peden, met with the Greenville County Historic Preservation Commission at Cedar Falls Park on Thursday, May 18th in the rain. Members of the Commission who had never seen the park enjoyed a view of the high water at the dam and falls, talked with a fisherman, and learned the history of the ruins of the early mill at this lovely site. The park was established in 2010 after the devasting oil spill that prompted an extensive cleanup and restoration of the Reedy River at Fork Shoals.

County Councilman Rick Bradley initiated the application for Cedar Falls Park to be placed on the County Historic Site list which will protect the park in perpetuity for the citizens of Greenville. The application was also approved by Joe Kernal, County Administer. After the tour of the park, the Commission met at the Yum Yum Shop in Fork Shoals for the meeting at which time they unanimously approved the application to be sent to County Council for further approval for a chance to just enjoy each other’s company. Other members attending were Joe Hursey of Piedmont Historical Society, Dot Bishop of Travelers Rest Historical Society, Lindsey Hammond Strand of Upstate Preservation Trust, Suzanne Terry of Greenville County Planning Department, and local historians Valerie Arnold, Teresa Slack, Jason Forister.

Following the meeting, some of the Commission members visited McCullough’s Cedarhurst at Princeton which is also on the county’s historic list.

Anne Peden, Phd.
Greenville County Historic Preservation Commission 
Fork Shoals Historical Society Piedmont Historical Preservation Society■