Historic Beaufort Foundation Director to retire

Cynthia Cole Jenkins, executive director for Historic Beaufort Foundation for 14 years and an expert in historic preservation, will retire June 7, she and the HBF board announced today.

Jenkins received the 2021 SC Governor’s Award for Excellence in Preservation, the highest honor given by South Carolina, for her efforts to preserve the architectural and cultural history of the Lowcountry and half a

dozen other counties across the state.

*We have been privileged and fortunate to have had Cynthia at our helm,” said HBF Chair Rob Montgomery.

“She brought an amazing level of knowledge and expertise, and a dogged determination, to help us continue our work to preserve and protect Beaufort’s history and architecture.

“I first met Cynthia in 1990 when I arrived as a much younger architect,” Montgomery said. “I have enjoyed her guidance and friendship since, and look forward to her continued involvement in our community.

In July 2022, her leadership helped Historic Beaufort Foundation earn a major honor for the exterior renovation of the John Mark Verdier House on Bay Street. She’s also been in the news for working hard to protect the National Historic Landmark District from inappropriate-development and changes that would negatively impact the authentic history of the city.

“It has been an honor to twice lead Historic Beaufort Foundation over the course of my 50-year career in historic preservation.” Jenkins said. *I fell in love with Beaufort and the Lowcountry when I began work in Yemassee in 1974 and it will always hold a special place in my heart. The architectural and cultural history of Beaufort is deep and unique.

“My first major project was to advise on the initial restoration of the Verdier House and to be given a second opportunity to enhance its Federal Period appearance and architectural details was very special to me,” she said. Preservation technology has come a long way since the 1975 restoration. Restoring the front door and door frame was important and touching to me.

“I have been fortunate to work alongside a dedicated Board of Trustees, a strong staff, HBF volunteers, and to have overwhelmingly strong support from our members and friends who understand the importance of preserving Beaufort’s sense of place,” she said.

Jenkins was the first person in America to earn an undergraduate degree in Historic Preservation, receiving hers at Middle Tennessee State University. She became the first executive director at the Historic Beaufort Foundation from 1987 to 1995, then returned to the role in late 2019.

“Cynthia has been a joy to work with during my time on the Board of Trustees,” said former HBF Chair Wayne Vance. “It has been a great educational experience about all aspects of Beaufort’s history, people and architecture. It is important to know she will continue to be an invaluable resource to our Board.”

Jenkins was instrumental in HBF’s successful bid to buy the historic Hamar Cup in January 2023. The silver cup and cap from 1748 was presented by “the Gentlemen of Port Royal” to Captain Joseph Hamar, commander of His Majesty’s ship Adventure, for protective services around Beaufort and Port Royal. The cup is displayed at HBF’s John Mark Verdier House Museum on Beaufort’s Bay Street.

Her career in historic preservation planning, management and administration began in 1974 at Lowcountry Council of Governments serving Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Among other projects, she researched and wrote Historic Resources of the Lowcountry: A Regional Survey.

“It’s a baseline for the history of the region,” Montgomery said of the book. “She has an exceptional knowledge of the Lowcountry’s architectural history and the family stories that tie together the physical fabric of the National Historic Landmark District.”

Some of Jenkins’ other recent achievements include:

• Addressing issues with the City of Beaufort zoning code

Working with national consultants on the Conditions and Integrity Study of the National Historic

Landmark District

Initiating the popular Winter Lecture Series that has been attended by thousands

Recognizing The Lafayette Trail and celebrating the Bicentennial of Lafayette’s visit

Restoring the door surround and faux-graining to the front door of the John Mark Verdier House

Increasing HBF’s financial stability and membership

Resolving the easement at the McKee-Smalls House where Robert Smalls once lived

Expanding the Foundation’s in-depth preservation tours of major historic properties

Creating the popular brunch on Sunday of the Fall Tours.

One of Jenkins’ most recognized early projects includes the preservation of Auldbrass Plantation, which is now owned by Hollywood producer Joel Silver. The plantation was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1939 after C. Leigh Stevens, an industrialist from Michigan, wanted him to build a modern plantation in Yemassee.

Along with Stan and Jessica Stevens Loring she played an instrumental role in encouraging and securing its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. During the restoration of Auldbrass by Silver, Jenkins advised on the covenants for restoration called for in the preservation easement held by Historic Charleston Foundation.

Jenkins was the first full-time executive director of Historic Beaufort Foundation in Beaufort. She worked closely with the City of Beaufort to develop The Beaufort Preservation Manual as well as the updated volume in 1989. The Beaufort Preservation Manual is recognized nationally as one of the most successful preservation design guidelines developed for owners as well as the city’s Historic District Review Board.

Among other pivotal Beaufort projects in that time was the development of the City’s Tourism Ordinance, the Tour Bus Ordinance and Film Guidelines. During her tenure as director the economic resources of the Foundation and the Revolving Fund increased significantly including increasing the membership by more than 60 percent.

After leaving the Preservation Society of Charleston, Jenkins served as an adjunct professor in the Clemson University/College of Charleston joint graduate program in Historic Preservation

END

Longtime Beaufort preservation leader Lise Sundrla named as Historic Beaufort Foundation director

Lise Sundrla, an experienced preservationist and past director of the national Main Street Beaufort USA program, will lead Historic Beaufort Foundation as its new executive director effective June 7, the HBF

Board announced

“Lise brings exceptional knowledge about Beaufort from her work with HBF, Main Street Beaufort and the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association, and she is a strong advocate for our work,” HBF Chair Rob Montgomery said. “We look forward to her leadership.”

A native of Spartanburg, SC, Sundrla received a BA in Art History and a BA in Sociology from Converse College in Spartanburg. She received a Master of Arts in American History with an emphasis in Historic Preservation from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

She brings more than 40 years of experience in the fields of non-profit management; neighborhood, downtown and community redevelopment, with specific emphasis in preservation, community building, and hospitality. She’s also worked with local governments on urban corridor, neighborhood corridor, and main street redevelopment.

“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of such an incredible preservationist as Cynthia Jenkins,” Sundrla said. “She has set the bar high.

“We have such a strong and passionate team at HBF and the Verdier House,” Sundrla said. “I look forward to working with our Board of Trustees, our membership, staff and our many volunteers to carry HBF forward.” Jenkins is retiring after a combined 14 years as HBF Director. She and Sundrla worked together the past five years.

Montgomery said Sundrla’s work alongside Jenkins and her deep knowledge of Beaufort and its preservation efforts were key to her hiring.

“Lise has also been engaged with government entities for much of her career, in one way or another,” he said. “She brings that background of historic preservation with a knowledge of the Beaufort business and retail economy, plus experience working with governments. All those contribute to her broad perspective that will help her and us move HBF forward.”

Sundrla first came to Beaufort in 1988 to lead the Main Street Beaufort USA program and successful revitalization of Beaufort’s core downtown, garnering more than 15 state awards and recognition by the National Main Street Program as a “National Success Story.”

In 1997 she left Beaufort to direct award-winning programs in community, downtown and economic development in Winchester, VA, Savannah, GA and Naples, FL, before returning to Beaufort in 2017.

Sundrla has served on state resource teams and facilitated board and staff development retreats in SC, GA, Florida, and Virginia; served as conference speaker and/or trainer at state and national conferences of the South Carolina Downtown Association, SC Main Street Program, Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Downtown Association, Government Finance Officers Association, Virginia Downtown Development Association, the Florida Redevelopment Association, and Florida Main Street Program. She has served as a member of the Board and as president of the Georgia Downtown Association; member of the Board of the South Carolina Downtown Development Association, the Georgia Urban Main Street Board, Historic Savannah Foundation, First Night Winchester, and the Leadership Team and Board for Blue Zones™ Naples. She is a graduate of Leadership Beaufort.

Sundrla and her husband John returned to Beaufort in 2017, where she soon began work as a consultant to lead formation of the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association, coming on as Executive Director of the newly formed association in May 2018. She was appointed to the City of Beaufort’s Affordable Housing Task Force in 2019 where she served until its conclusion in 2021. She has recently been reappointed to the City’s Cultural District Advisory Board.

In January 2020, Sundrla joined the Historic Beaufort Foundation as the Museum and Preservation Programs Manager. In November 2021, she became Assistant Director managing operations, administration and program activities for the Foundation and the John Mark Verdier House Museum. With her extensive experience in preservation, neighborhood, community and economic development,

Sundrla is the ideal person to lead HBF forward, the Board of Trustees said.