Preservation
Historic Rock Hill is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports the preservation of Rock Hill’s historic resources. We have helped in these efforts with a number of projects, including the restoration of the White Home.
Ongoing Projects
Freedom Riders Interpretive Project
In 1961, Rock Hill was at the center of the national civil rights movement. In February, the Friendship Nine lunch counter protesters became the first to employ the "jail, no bail" tactic and served 30 days in the York County Prison Farm. Three months later, the Freedom Riders visited Rock Hill as part of a challenge to segregated busses and bus stations throughout the South. Historic Rock Hill is partnering with six other community organizations to tell the story of the Freedom Riders in Rock Hill and how this event connects to a series of heroic protests led by Rev. Cecil Ivory and other local citizens. Click here to watch our board member, Stephen Turner discuss this project on CN2.
Partnership with the African American Cultural Center
The stories of Rock Hill's history too often minimize the contributions of the African American community in building a strong, diverse community where equality and justice for all citizens is a core value. In order to document and tell the stories of Rock Hill's African American community the African American Cultural Resources Advisory Committee has established as a goal the creation of an African American Cultural Center. Historic Rock Hill is partnering with the African American Cultural Resources Advisory Committee and the City of Rock Hill to undertake a planning study to define the scope, feasibility, and community support for this project.
Freedom Walkway
Freedom Walkway on Rock Hill's Main Street celebrates the citizens of Rock Hill and York County who have sacrificed to achieve justice and equality for all citizens. Members of Historic Rock Hill played key roles in the creation of the Freedom Walkway and continue to serve as leaders in the annual celebration of local heroes each November. See www.FreedomWalkway.com for more information.
2022 Preservation Award Winner: Pat Grant
Hamilton Carhartt in Rock Hill, South Carolina: Founder of Carhartt Clothing Creator of Bib Overalls by Pat Grant
We awarded Pat for her commitment to the preservation of our local history. Our organization was lucky enough to work with Pat as she published this work that uncovers a pivotal figure in our history. Historic Rock Hill aims to share the collective stories of our community, especially those that are at risk of being forgotten.
Join us in supporting a native Rock Hillian and sharing the Carhartt story with others:
Hamilton Carhartt, founder of Carhartt Clothing, came to Rock Hill in 1907 looking for a cotton mill to make the denim for his iconic bib overalls, which he proudly labeled, Made in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Because of his presence in this booming textile town, Carhartt acquired massive acreage and built a mansion, family houses, and a farm on the banks of the Catawba River, known throughout South Carolina as Carhartt Plantation. His farm produced a variety of agricultural and dairy products, housed domestic and exotic animals, and even bred prized Arabian Horses. However, Carhartt’s most enduring legacy was the care and respect he showed for his employees by providing for their physical, educational, and recreational needs. He believed that “the prosperity of his employees created better denim.” Carhartt demonstrated these core values by providing beautifully designed housing with modern conveniences, night schools, childcare, meals, parties, swimming pools, and other amenities that were rare at that time. Though Carhartt’s time in Rock Hill ended with the 1920-1921 Global Recession, his positive impact on the landscape and community remain.
