Historic Ashley area to be studied

[krazeeboi]

The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation has awared the Historic Charleston Foundation a $75,000 grant in order to research the relatively unstudied area west of Ashely River Road in hopes that it will be added to the Ashley River Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition to raising public awareness of the area's historical significance, the designation would give property owners greater financial incentives to place protective easements on historic buildings and open spaces. The designation would also make another level of review necessary before federally funded projects in the area are undertaken.

"The lesser recognized historic resources on the western side of the highway, related to African-American history, inland rice cultivation and post-bellum industries such as phosphate mining and timbering, deserve greater evaluation, research and protection," said HCF Executive Director Kitty Robinson in a written statement. "This archaeology will yield new information about the architecture, transportation, agriculture, ethnic heritage, industry and landscapes that lay beyond the plantations' main houses."