At a time when the nation is commemorating its 250th anniversary, a piece of that history in Spartanburg County stands renewed—and newly recognized. The Spartanburg County Foundation has been awarded the Stewardship Award as part of the 2026 South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards, honoring its leadership in restoring the Walnut Grove Manor House, one of the Upstate’s significant Revolutionary-era sites.
Foundation President and CEO Troy Hanna accepted the award at the South Carolina State House, marking a milestone not only for the organization but for the broader community that rallied behind the preservation effort.
Originally built in the 18th century, Walnut Grove traces its roots to Charles and Mary Moore, who were granted the land by King George III in 1763. The Moore family established the homestead that would become both a private residence and a witness to the early development of the Upstate. Nearly two centuries later, in 1961, their descendants entrusted the property to the Spartanburg County Foundation, ensuring its legacy would be preserved for future generations.
That responsibility came into sharp focus in 2017, when structural deterioration in the Manor House prevented the Spartanburg Historical Association, which manages educational programming on the property, from offering tours of the home. What followed were years of careful planning, collaboration, and fundraising to save the historic structure.
“In this year marking the 250th anniversary of our nation, it is especially meaningful to be recognized for preserving a piece of its history,” Hanna said. “But what matters most is that this award affirms our commitment to learning from the past to build a better future and to ensuring that future generations have the same opportunity. This work would not be possible without the donors and partners who share that vision.”
The Foundation launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to support a $1.5 million restoration of the Manor House. Preservation experts from across South Carolina were engaged to ensure that every aspect of the project, from structural stabilization to material selection, honored the integrity of the original Moore family home.
The result is a meticulously restored landmark that reopened to the public on October 4, 2025, bringing new life to a site that draws thousands of visitors each year. Today, Walnut Grove once again serves as a living classroom, offering a window into 18th-century life and the region’s role in early American history.
While the Foundation owns and stewards the property, the Spartanburg County Historical Association, headquartered at Walnut Grove, provides educational programming, public tours, and special events that connect visitors of all ages to the stories preserved in the manor house, on the grounds, and in the property's outbuildings.
The Stewardship Award recognizes not only the successful restoration itself, but also the long-term commitment required to sustain a historic site. For the Spartanburg County Foundation, that commitment is deeply rooted in honoring donor intent while serving the broader community.
As Hanna noted, the work is far from finished. “Preservation is ongoing,” he said. “We are proud to care for this space today, and we look forward to continuing to preserve and share it for generations to come.”
To continue the work, the Foundation has established the Walnut Grove Maintenance Endowment Fund. With donor support, the fund will continue to fuel projects on the Walnut Grove property to protect, preserve, and expand its resources and future educational opportunities. For information about the fund, visit: https://bit.ly/WGmaintenance.
For a closer look at the restoration process and the history of Walnut Grove, a six-minute video is available at: https://youtu.be/XUWr-GCB3iY
