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National Park Service awards $8M in civil rights grants to South Carolina

Funds to help preservation projects of 5 sites in the state tied to the struggle of African Americans to gain equal rights

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Park Service has awarded the state of South Carolina $8 million to help fund preservation of sites tied to the struggle of African Americans to gain equal rights. The money comes from NPS' Historic Preservation Fund's African American Civil Rights grant program.

The Historic Preservation Fund's revenue is sourced through federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf rather than expending tax dollars.

The African American Civil Rights Grant Program was established during the Obama Administration and has been funded every year since, providing grants to preserve the sites and stories of the Civil Rights Movement.

In South Carolina, the five projects include:

  • Columbia: University of South Carolina's Booker T. Washington High School Auditorium building rehabilitation; $5,000,000
  • Ninety Six: South Carolina Rural Education Grassroots Group's stabilization and preservation planning of the former Edgewood School, an "Equalization School," now serving as Edgewood Community Center; $750,000
  • Orangeburg: Center for Creative Partnership's Phase II of the preservation of All Star Bowling Lanes; $750,000
  • Orangeburg: Trinity United Methodist Church's Phase IV of preservation and repair of the historic church; $750,000
  • Sumter: Lincoln High School Preservation Alumni Association for Phase II of 2022 Lincoln High School preservation application; $750,000.

“I am pleased to see the National Park Service’s continued dedication to preserving the history of African Americans in South Carolina and throughout the country,” said Congressman James E Clyburn. “It is imperative that we continue to protect and celebrate the places, people, and stories of one of the greatest struggles in American history.”

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