President
Ms. Agnes Willcox
Florence
I took on
the chairmanship of the Florence City County Historic Commission in the early
‘70s, which began a lifelong crusade for the historic preservation and adaptive
reuse of our state’s buildings.
I’ve been
involved in various ways in moving and restoring seven historic homes in South Carolina, including The Summer Academy at Pawley’s
Island after the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, and the current residence of Florence’s Mayor Frank
Willis.
In 2004, I
decided to pursue real estate full time, and I’m now with Burt Jordan Realtors
in Florence. My first love has always been historic homes,
and the real estate business is one of the best avenues to prevent endangered
properties from being destroyed. As the
current President of the Palmetto Trust, I am dedicated to seeing that the
Trust furthers its activities in this primary mission.
Vice President
Mr. Bettis C. Rainsford
Edgefield
I am passionate about historic preservation in South Carolina because I
fully appreciate the richness of our heritage and the need to preserve it, both
for helping us understand who we are as a people and for helping us to market
our state to others from across the nation and around the world.
Secretary
Mr. James W. Bradford, Jr.
York
I am passionate about historic preservation first
because I am passionate about South
Carolina and American history. The York, S.C.
area where I live is rich in colonial and Revolutionary War history, featuring
many homes, buildings, and textile mills that have been preserved or are
candidates for restoration. My wife and I reside in a Victorian cottage
that we restored. Preserving structures like these is all part of understanding
and appreciating the history of our region, which is so much a part of who we
are today as a people. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Palmetto Trust
to keep the best part of our architectural heritage alive.
Treasurer
Mr. Ned Carmody
York
I live in a historic 1854 plantation home that I
love, and I am passionate about preserving it for future generations. I believe
that all historic properties in our state should be given this consideration
and preservation for the generations yet to come, and this is why I serve on
the Board of Directors for the Palmetto Trust.
Immediate Past President
Mr. Frank Wideman
Greenwood
Living in a 188-year-old house that has been in my
family for five generations, I have a deep appreciation for the architectural
heritage of South Carolina.
It is painful to see irreplaceable historic buildings, particularly in
our rural communities, rotting from neglect or endangered from ever-increasing
development. The sole mission of the Palmetto Trust, in partnership with the National Trust, is to preserve and
protect these historic structures in rural South Carolina for future generations. I cannot think
of many endeavors that are more worthwhile, and I am committed to this mission.
Mr. William Thomason
Greenville
With so
many historic properties in South
Carolina disappearing as a result
of neglect, real estate development or ignorance of their significance, the
Palmetto Trust is the absolute best vehicle for saving this important part
of our state's heritage.
Mrs. Sarah Davis
Camden
I serve
on the Palmetto Trust Board because I believe so strongly in the mission of
this foundation. The dedication of the board members to historic preservation
throughout all of South Carolina
is truly an inspiration, as well as a sustaining support-system for issues on
the local level. Through hands-on awareness of preservation problems, practices
and perspectives of communities throughout the state, this foundation promotes
and strengthens a “unity of communities” toward one goal--preserving SC’s
architectural heritage for future generations.
Mr. Fred Delk
Columbia
I run a public development corporation, working on
behalf of the City of Columbia to
encourage positive economic development. Preservation pays in every
community through higher property values, higher tax return and unique
communities. A community that cares about itself actively preserves its history--its
character, its quality of life. These are a few of the things that make
each community different, and this is how the Palmetto Trust makes a
difference in South Carolina.
Dr. Ernest "Chip" Helms, III
Society Hill
As an
owner of three historic properties in South
Carolina, I am passionate about the art that is historic preservation, and
also find it vital to our state’s architectural heritage. I’m glad to be on the
Palmetto Trust Board of Directors, contributing to the vast network of
passionate preservationists working to save this heritage in my native Pee Dee, and statewide.
Mr. William L. Kinney, Jr.
Bennettsville
Historic preservation has been one of the great
privileges of my life since my parents bought Magnolia, our 1853
home, in Bennettsville,
S.C. in 1957. In 50 years, I have
learned a great deal about preservation, restoration, etc., and have
helped preserve several historic properties in Bennettsville.
As a Palmetto Trust board member, and the South Carolina
representative to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, I cringe when I
see property owners allowing their historic properties to deteriorate. The Palmetto Trust has a
statewide obligation to preach the gospel of preservation and to assist local
organizations, property owners and communities in preserving the best examples
of their built environment whenever possible.
Mr. Donald L. Love, Jr. AIA
Spartanburg
As a Preservation Architect, I am
proud to serve on the board for the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation.
Historic buildings provide a connection to the past that cannot be achieved via
other means. Each building has captured
the unique story of those who lived or worked there. I have never heard anyone
complain that a building has been preserved, only that one has been demolished. Being affiliated with an organization that promotes
and facilitates the preservation of South
Carolina’s historic properties is truly an
honor.
Mr. B.E. "Ned" Nicholson, V
Columbia
I became interested in historic preservation as I
work with developers who have an interest in historic preservation and
conservation easements. I have a long family history in South Carolina and as our state grows with
new residents and a new economy, I want to do what I can to ensure that the
rich history of the state is preserved where appropriate.
Mr. John Gettys Smith
Beaufort
All my life I have
been active in and passionate about
preservation. When I was 14, I wrote
my first letter to the editor
about saving an old house in York. Later, I contributed to saving historic York by helping to start
a museum and historic tours. In
Beaufort, I have served as president
of Historic Beaufort, restored a 19th
century home and founded the Old Commons Historic
District. I have completed several terms as a board member of the
South Carolina
Historical Society, in addition to
serving on the Board of Directors for the Palmetto Trust, which I believe to be
an invaluable resource in the great effort to preserve our state.
Mrs. J. Strom (Nancy Moore) Thurmond
Mt. Pleasant
Mr. Wade B. Fairey
Rock Hill
Vernacular architecture of the Carolina Backcountry and the skills
used to build 18th and 19th century homes have always
been of interest to me. Witnessing the continued destruction of these wonderful
buildings left me questioning why little or no value was associated with our
state’s architectural history. I’m proud to work with the Palmetto Trust to
turn this around and facilitate methods to help preserve the great remaining
examples.
Ms. Cynthia Cole Jenkins
Charleston
Having worked in historic preservation in South Carolina since the
1970’s, I have witnessed dramatic changes to the state’s historic and
architectural landscape. A strong statewide non-profit preservation
organization is imperative if South
Carolina is to retain the feelings and associations
that we all value as part of our state’s heritage. I look forward to
working with the Palmetto Trust to help ensure future generations that South Carolina’s sense
of place is not lost.
