Hello! My name is Enfinitee Irving. I am a graduate of South Carolina State University. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Professional History and am a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation. I’ve participated in numerous published historical projects funded by grants from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, in collaboration with the African American Heritage Commission. My love for history developed as a child, growing up in the small town of Cameron, South Carolina. I listened to many stories about the past from the elders in my community, and it made me fall in love with history. My imagination allowed me to visualize the past, as well as my strong memory allows me the ability to hold on to these stories and facts.
My career as a ranger began at Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site, where I was the first historical interpretive intern. After completing a 10-week internship at Rose Hill, I moved to the central office for almost a year. During this time, I continued to work at Rose hill; I also worked with the staff at Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, conducting tours once a week. I created a video documenting the pre-park history of Sesquicentennial State Park and a video series titled “South Carolina State Park Journey Towards Integration,” which featured Edisto Beach State Park, Poinsette State Park, and Sesquicentennial. Additionally, I participated in an archaeology field school at Sesquicentennial, gaining hands-on experience. I completed a wayside for Chester State Park, that discussed the CCC Company that built the park, and searched for graves at parks like Santee State Park.
Currently, I am the park interpreter at Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site. As a Black woman working in the history field, I often find myself in a unique position, as there are not many others who look like me doing this work. This lack of representation may be due to the fact that many Black people are not fully aware of the career opportunities available in the field of historical preservation. My responsibilities include educating the public, conducting research, preserving antiques, and engaging in community outreach. My programs here at Rose Hill are educational and impactful. I never imagined my career would lead me to work on a plantation, interpreting the complex and often painful history of slavery, reconstruction, and other racially charged topics. While this path is challenging and not one everyone can walk, I am honored to be a voice for the many enslaved ancestors who once lived and worked on this land.
In my role, I conduct house tours, create engaging programs and events, and continuously research to expand our understanding of the site’s history. I am also gradually learning more about historic preservation, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of these old buildings and structures. One observation I’ve made since working at a plantation is that Black visitors rarely come to these sites. Plantations are filled with a heavy trauma, making it difficult for many Black people to feel comfortable visiting, despite our efforts to show them that they are welcome and that our programs are geared towards their inclusion. Understanding plantation history is essential to gaining a deeper understanding of American history as a whole. There is no American history without first acknowledging the institution of slavery.
Today we have many groups who aim to minimize or forget the impact that slavery had on the foundation of the country and the world. It is important for all Americans to recognize that many industries and institutions still operating today were built on the backs of enslaved labor. Acknowledging this fact is crucial to preventing future generations from forgetting this history, which would further silence and erase the experiences of those who lived through it.
Increasing diversity in both the historic preservation and public history field can profoundly impact the profession. By encouraging more black people to enter this field, we can ensure a more inclusive and comprehensive interpretation of history. Diverse perspectives bring a richer understanding of the past, allowing us to tell stories that might otherwise be overlooked or underrepresented. This inclusivity can help make historic sites more welcoming and relevant to a broader audience, fostering greater public engagement and support for preservation efforts. This will also lead to newer innovative approaches to conservation and interpretation, drawing on a wide range of cultural experiences and knowledge. This can enhance the preservation of sites significant to various communities, ensuring that a more accurate and complete history is maintained for future generations.
My role at Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site is not only about preserving the past but also about shaping the future of historic preservation and public history. By holding this position, I am paving the way for future generations to ensure that all stories are told and remembered. I aspire to see more Black people in roles like mine, sharing our stories with integrity and truth. Together, we can continue to honor and liberate our collective ancestors.
The Featured Projects series focuses on historic preservation projects focused on preserving Black history throughout SC. Each project is asked to respond to four prompts. We hope this series helps bring awareness to the stunning number and variety of preservation projects being undertaken across the state, highlights the dedication of our community leaders, and inspires future generations of projects.
Want to feature your preservation project? Send us an email here.
Provide a brief summary of your project, making sure to include why it’s important for African American historic preservation.
RCDC’s Nehemiah Project 24 responds to the need of the African American Community in Saluda, SC to rebuild. Much like the people of Israel of that epoch, African Americans have been enslaved, displaced, deprived. At times, their only resources are faith, crumbling buildings and resilience. Locked inside these resources though, is a tremendous wealth of talents waiting to be used to create for African Americans well-deserved permanent, prominent places in America, not as victims but as victors. The execution of the project will follow the model established by the Biblical Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem. As such, leadership is guided by faith and the focus on the division of labor and specializations from within the community. RCDC’s hard asset is the 65,000 square feet former Riverside “Equalization School”. The building is situated on 49 acres of land straddling the boundaries of the town and county of Saluda. It borders a recently established Saluda Commercial Park for Saluda County. The proximity to the town and nearby enterprises gives this asset the quality of prime property in a prime location. The three areas of emphasis for the project shall be: 1) A workforce development project that facilitates the creation of well-needed transitional housing and a specialized food & nutrition training destined to serve the cluster of growing agricultural enterprises in the surrounding area; 2) An enhanced After-School Program that will affirmatively prepare disadvantaged members of this rural community form an early age for higher education and skills acquisition; 3) Recreational and other community activities that will make Saluda attractive as a place to live, work and play. Sites such as Riverside must be respected, supported, and preserved. If retained, the positive elements of their history can form the foundation on which to build communities. If nurtured to evolve with changing times they provide not only foundation but also, the backbone to support their viability for generations. This is what we hope for Riverside whose history provides context for the RCDC Nehemiah Project 24. Riverside High School was built during an era when educational opportunities for Black people was a primary issue at the federal level of the United States Government in Washington. In 1951, South Carolina passed legislation to fund a statewide program of school construction for new African American elementary and high schools across South Carolina in both rural and urban areas. This equalization school program, built on the concept of “separate but equal”, was intended to circumvent a potential desegregation ruling by the Supreme Court when, on appeal from the U.S. District court for the Eastern District of South Carolina, Briggs v. Elliot became one of the five cases combined into Brown v. Board of Education. In 1954, Riverside School was built as an “Equalization School” for Black people in Saluda County. It served students from grades 1-12. That same year the Supreme Court declared racial segregation in public schools to be unconstitutional and required state schools to be integrated.(Brown v. Board of Education) As a result, Riverside became Riverside Middle School, an integrated school that served Saluda County as a formal education site. In 2001, the Saluda Education Complex was built and the following year the last tenant vacated the premises. Now standing as an empty building, the future of Riverside was in jeopardy. The school building and all of its history faced possible demolition. Concerned citizens of Saluda’s Black community united to save the historical premises. In March 2003, Riverside Community Development Corporation (“RCDC”), a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization obtained the building and the 49 acres of land.
What motivated you/your community/your team to begin this project?
Resources for the Black community in Saluda were still lacking. The vision for RCDC was clear: Use the property to provide services to uplift the community focusing on programs for children, adults, entrepreneurship and education. Most importantly, the Riverside School property stood as a monument to the history of a struggling community that persevered in its efforts to rise up from bondage to become victors instead of victims.
What challenges have you faced in this project?
1. Funding challenges loom large. RCDC, though a sub-grantee for an After-School Program, had never been the beneficiary of any federal, state or county grant money. The organization had been sustained thus far by independent fundraising and a corporate donor that has since excused itself. These contributions were hardly enough to maintain the 65,000 square feet structure. The building, while still structurally sound, has fallen into disrepair and cannot house community projects. 2. Community fatigue: After so many years of regression instead of progress, especially since the pandemic, the community needs a “booster shot” to get involved again so they can help address social concerns and development solutions that fits the current context of a rapidly developing Saluda County. They need to see a clear vision that they can buy into. 3. Leadership & Skillsets: The development of RCDC is a multi-million-dollar project because of its size. Projects of this caliber require sophisticated skillsets and experienced leadership.
How have you solved problems and found solutions? What advice would you give to others doing this kind of work?
The problems RCDC face have been identified but are yet to be solved. Our focus is now on implementing solutions which are couched in terms of: A purposeful, committed Board of Directors that Appoints an experienced Executive Director/CEO who has A viable Business Plan projected into 3-5 years. A non-profit organization is to be understood as an entity that can generate revenue. It must endeavor to use its assets or other resources to generate revenues whenever possible. It is important to get the community it serves involved as well as the broader community that also benefits indirectly. Hence, effective marketing is a necessity. Position the organization to benefit from government and foundation funding of which there is plenty. While doing so, understand that donors, grantors and lenders are making an investment. Consequently, the return on the investment must be clearly identifiable. This may not necessarily be a financial reward but a measurable social impact.
For more….
If you are interested in ensuring RCDC succeeds in its endeavor and become a template for similar historical sites, please contact: Vonnie@vonnierochester.com.
The Featured Projects series focuses on historic preservation projects focused on preserving Black history throughout SC. Each project is asked to respond to four prompts. We hope this series helps bring awareness to the stunning number and variety of preservation projects being undertaken across the state, highlights the dedication of our community leaders, and inspires future generations of projects.
Want to feature your preservation project? Send us an email here.
Provide a brief summary of your project, making sure to include why it’s important for African American historic preservation.
We successfully nominated Sims High School in Union, South Carolina, to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023. The project included photographing and documenting the building’s condition, networking with alumni to record their memories of the school, and researching the local history of racial segregation and integration in education. Sims High School was the center of the Black community in Union County. It has remained a point of pride for many people. To preserve the school building is to keep Black history in Union tangible and visible. Very few historic Black schools still stand in Union County, making Sims High School a precious resource.
What motivated you/your community/your team to begin this project?
The motivation for this project came primarily from alumni who wanted to see their former school preserved. They care deeply about Sims High School. The building contains their memories and is the foundation for their legacies. It’s where they formed lifelong friendships, gained an education, and built a community. Alumni of Sims High School graduated between 1956 and 1970. They want to see something happen with this building in their lifetime.
What challenges have you faced in this project?
One challenge was to move quickly. The nomination process is long and a building as large as Sims High School is complex to document. My wife and I did the nomination as volunteers, so finding time to give proper attention to the project could be hard. Preservation projects are a race against time. The Sims High School building has not been used since 2009, so its condition is worsening as each year passes. One of the reasons that alumni and supporters wanted to get the building listed in the National Register of Historic Places was to make it eligible for historic tax credits. This could support investment in the building’s rehabilitation, restoration, adaptive reuse, or even its continued use as an educational facility.
How have you solved problems and found solutions? What advice would you give to others doing this kind of work?
If you’re having trouble documenting the history of a place/building, find the local experts. Talk to people. Let them guide you and tell you why this place is important. Curtiss Hunter organized multiple community meetings where alumni discussed the significance and history of Sims High School. These meetings were indispensable sources of information. Various people shared their perspectives, stories, knowledge, and memories. Dr. Tom Crosby had already gathered and organized historic photos, articles, programs, and other records establishing facts, timelines, and a narrative for the school’s history.
