Public Announcement: A New Chapter in Preservation
The Historic Bluffton Foundation is excited to announce an upcoming transition designed to strengthen our mission and public impact. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors has come to a decision to sell the organization’s landmark property, the Heyward House. This decision is a step in the process to refocus on our core principles of preserving historic structures and advocating that others do the same. This decision does not come lightly; we have spent the last decade doing significant restoration and repairs to our beloved 1840’s home and grounds and we stand proud of its current condition. Owning and maintaining a historic property requires significant financial and operational resources. Now that the property is in a well-maintained state, we feel confident in transitioning away from ownership and redirecting those resources toward protecting more sites, serving more people, and strengthening our advocacy efforts.
The mission of our Foundation is to preserve Bluffton’s history, protect its historic spaces, and inspire our community through education and engagement. Proceeds from the sale of the Heyward House will be placed into a restricted trust to provide sustainable funding for our operations in direct support of these guiding principles.
The Foundation is committed to ensuring that the Heyward House’s historic features are protected for generations to come. We have found a buyer who demonstrates a strong commitment to preservation and to safeguarding the property’s historic character.
The Historic Bluffton Foundation will continue all programs and tours during the transition and will expand its work in:
Preservation advocacy in Bluffton
Public education and community engagement
Advocacy for historic resources at the local and regional levels
This marks the beginning of a new chapter—one that builds on our legacy while positioning us for greater impact in the years ahead.
Check back here for updates.