HBF ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STUDY

Beaufort, SC May 13, 2021 – Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) is pleased to announce its support for the National Park Service in conducting a comprehensive Integrity and Condition Study to serve as a guidepost for those involved in future decision making. The proposed study of the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District will identify potential threats and propose guidance to ensure the “Integrity” of the historic district is retained.

The National Park Service is charged with monitoring National Historic Landmarks to ensure they retain the qualities for which they were designated. A National Historic Landmark District derives its national significance not just from one building but from a collection of buildings, structures and landscape features. Historic districts are often vibrant commercial and social centers, which adapt over time to meet the needs of residents and visitors. The purpose of the monitoring survey is to identify those Districts that exhibit damage or face threats to the integrity of their resources as well as highlight positive preservation efforts. This information enables the National Park Service, the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), stewards of individual contributing structures, community organizations such a Historic Beaufort Foundation, policy makers and leaders and the public to take action to preserve these most significant examples of our national heritage for future generations.

“We must maintain Beaufort’s historic sense of place while allowing for our community’s organic growth through the sensitive addition and rehabilitation of structures meeting appropriate height, mass, scale and setbacks.” – Cynthia Jenkins, HBF Executive Director.

We look forward to the proposed independent study and applaud the decision of Mayor Stephen Murray and members of City Council in welcoming this opportunity to partner with the National Park Service in this important effort. Historic Beaufort Foundation believes this will be another way of bringing a deeper understanding to its Citizens and its policy makers of Beaufort’s unique historic and architectural assets, its sense of place and history.

For more information about Historic Foundation Beaufort, please visit www.historicbeaufort.org

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For media inquiries, please contact Cynthia Jenkins at cjenkins@historicbeaufort.org or 843.379.3331