South  Carolina
Historic  Landscape  Initiative

         The historic gardens of South Carolina present a picture of our state’s rich past.  Some of these gardens remain in good or excellent condition, exhibiting the intent and plan of the original designers.  Unfortunately, others are irretrievably lost or suffer from urban development, owner neglect or catastrophic events.  All need our attention.

         The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc. (GCSC) established the South Carolina Historic Landscape Initiative (SCHLI) to create a legacy of archived records of historically significant gardens.

         Because of the urgency of the issue, GCSC President Betsy Steele has designated SCHLI as a “President’s Project”, asking GCSC members to participate actively. Funded by members of GCSC, the Initiative works with ASLA members James R. Cothran, Robert and Co. Associates (Atlanta), other architects and designers, graduate student interns, educators from Clemson University, the University of Georgia, Georgia State and the College of Charleston, as well as representatives from the SC Department of Archives and History and various non-profit preservationists.   Housed in the archives of The South Carolina Historical Society in Charleston, the records will remain useful to current and future generations of scholars, historians, writers, family members, landscape architects and gardeners.

         Accomplishing the goal of such immense proportions requires the work, skill and monetary resources of many volunteers.  Without this work, the list of lost gardens will increase, while historic treasures disappear, unnoticed and uncatalogued.  In order to qualify, each garden must be at least 50 years old and have historic significance.   The Initiative uses established lists, approving additional, qualifying gardens, and trains volunteers to use specific protocols and forms to document the gardens.    Creating interest in historic preservation of South Carolina’s gardens, the Initiative generates community participation and collects records for book publication.

SCHLI offers a variety of opportunities to participate:

·        actual documentation

o       onsite

o       offsite

·        monetary donations to fund graduate student interns.       

SCHLI uses the seven GCSC Districts to organize the project.  Members can work both within and outside their respective geographic areas, along with interested volunteers.  

Volunteers can use the following sources to get information:

·        Judith Dill, Chairman:  jjdwriter2@gmail.com

·        GCSC Handbook

·        www.gardenclubofsouthcarolina.org

·        District Liaisons

·        The South Carolina Gardener

GCSC members can apply for the SCHLI Award, listed in the GCSC Handbook.

Will you have a Garden Party that Counts?

Will you “Accept the Challenge…”
               and  help us save our gardens?

SCHLI Survey Information:

               Survey 

                  PDF Survey Form

               Survey Tips

               Information Letter

Visit:  "Pierates Cruz"

                     Cedar Knoll, Camden