For over 30 years, Cynthia Jenkins has dedicated her time and talent to the Palmetto State as a preservationist.  During this time she’s worked throughout the Lowcountry in leadership positions at the Preservation Society of Charleston, Historic Beaufort Foundation and Lowcountry Council of Governments.  She also served a stint in the Preservation Office in Tennessee broadening her knowledge of the National Historic Preservation Act.  Today, she serves as a board member to the Palmetto Trust, advising and supporting our mission across the state.

The lessons she shares from her experience are not only informative, but also paint a picture of what a lifetime of service has meant to the communities she has invested in. 

Experience

The majority of Cynthia’s experience was derived from her career and leadership roles in preservation organizations of the Lowcountry.  She first began working in historic preservation 35 years ago at the Lowcountry Council of Governments in Yemassee where she served as a Historic Preservation Planner, the editor of the COG newsletter and the Coordinator of Bicentennial Planning for four counties (Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper) and 18 municipalities. Her preservation responsibilities included conducting a survey of all sites, buildings, districts or objects that were 50 years or older that might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.  In 1989, her research was published as Historic Resources of the Lowcountry: A Regional Survey.

This experience set the stage for Cynthia to work out-of-state in her leadership capacity in Tennessee for two years, then as a preservation volunteer for five years.  As a volunteer, Cynthia put her knowledge and experience to work serving a key role in assisting the Horry County Council’s efforts to save the old Burroughs School in Conway. 

In 1988 Cynthia went to work for the Historic Beaufort Foundation where she served for 8 years, prior to taking a position as the Executive Director of the Preservation Society of Charleston, a position she held for 13 years.

Leadership

In many views, the Lowcountry is thought to lead the way in historic preservation in South Carolina, so it is no surprise that three decades of service have taught Cynthia much about the threats of development and the importance of educating the community as to the value of historic structures.

“The first pressures to change or develop happened in the Lowcountry, the oldest part of the state,” said Jenkins.  “Through my experience I’ve learned and supported the notion that some of the most important projects are the ones that never happen.  For example, I think Clemson's decision not to build the architecture center on George Street in Charleston was critical in protecting the Ansonborough neighborhood.  Additionally, the site was across the street from the spectacular Middleton-Pinckney House, which is also the Spoleto headquarters.  Introducing non-residential construction on the scale that was proposed would have eroded some of the city's most important historic neighborhoods. “

Throughout her career, she also learned much about the key role that local, state and national government play in historic Preservation.  
“In my state role in Tennessee, I came to appreciate the role of  federal licensing, permitting and funding, particularly as it relates Section 106 of the Preservation Act which can be used to mitigate the impact a project may have on National Register properties,” said Cynthia.  “In my various roles in the Lowcountry I came to full understand the potential impact of local zoning laws which need immediate study and redefinition by preservationists.”

In many of the counties along the coast, local zoning laws were adopted in the 1970's.  In many cases, zoning categories were taken from a text book and laid down over areas of town with requirements that had no correlation to how that particular neighborhood developed.  Over the years, these ordinances have been amended so that they no longer serve the needs of the general public.  They are complex and sometimes contradictory, making them difficult for a private citizen to interpret and use.

“Zoning is not something that many people find interesting and they end up leaving it to others to manage. However, this does not make zoning laws any less important to historic preservation,” says Cynthia.

Charleston Preservation: Shared Lessons

According to Cynthia, preservation in Charleston is more about maintaining scale and original character than saving individual buildings, but there are still hundreds of buildings that need to be rehabilitated. 

“Height, mass and scale will define how well Charleston retains its historic character and sense of place,” says Jenkins.  “Our hundred million dollar tourism industry is tied to keeping Charleston architecturally and culturally historic.”  

To illustrate her point, Cynthia provides an example of the hotel proposed for Marion Square, which she and many other local preservationists believe is much too large, potentially destroying the character of that part of Charleston.  

“When we began looking at hotel construction in the city, we learned that traffic studies are only required to look at buildings that are already built,” said Cynthia.  “In other words, if there are 6 hotels that are going to be built within a few blocks of each other, no one has to consider the impact they will have as a whole because none of them have actually been built yet.  Again, showing the need for better zoning and governmental policy and codes.”

Preservation Tips

Over the years Cynthia has undoubtedly learned much about preservation, the role of government and the significance of historic treasures to the communities who share them.  Her experience also leads her to share a few essential tips for other preservationists and preservation organizations.  

The first lesson she shares is the vital role that Preservation Easements serve in historic preservation.  Basically, easements assure the experts employed by preservation organizations are involved with any changes to the property that are covered by the easement document.  
 
“When I first started working with historic preservation, South Carolina had not adopted any legislation to legalize the use of easements,” explains Cynthia.  “Today they are an important tool for maintaining the integrity and historic aesthetic of buildings and properties.”
 
Another key item in the preservationists’ tool kit is comprehensive and current historic surveys and inventories.  These tools are important for assuring that critical and sometimes rapid decisions are based on sound and accurate information.

“Surveys and inventories enable preservationists to make decisions on what is the most important building, district or neighborhood to be addressed first,” says Cynthia.  “Identifying threats based on development pressure or significance also helps to create an annual work plan.”

Board Member Palmetto Trust

As a board member, Cynthia brings much authority and wisdom to the Palmetto Trust Board of Directors.  Her passionate dedication to our state is inspirational and motivational. 

“First, let me say that Mike Bedenbaugh is doing an outstanding job of covering a wide range of significant and important projects that would, without his efforts, have been lost to South Carolina forever,” says Cynthia.  “The Lindler House and State Hospital project in particular are critical efforts that I’m looking forward to working on.”

On the Horizon

When asked what her plans are now that she has left the Preservation Society of Charleston, Cynthia shares plans for research, reading and writing.  

“There are two stacks of books by my chair to read while I consider my options for my preservation experience and talents,” said Cynthia.  “In the meantime I hope to play golf with my husband Robert and spend some time working in the garden; which has long been neglected.