By: Tenetha Hall
Apr 4, 2024
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. |
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| Hope School is dear to me because my parents John & Willie M. Flemon chaired a nine member committee to buy Hope school back from the Newberry School District in 1958 for $500.00. They sold hot dogs, hamburgers and sodas to raise the funds. I was young, but I remember walking up to the Hope School with my mom to build the fire so it would be warm when the crowd gathered. Also, nine of my siblings attended Hope School. I was the youngest living, but I didn’t attend Hope School. I started school in Pomaria, at Garmany Elementary in 1955. Later, my sister Lillie and J. Louis Flemon started a fundraiser to help put windows in the Hope School because they learned that building had great history where they had attended school. Their health failed and God gave me a vision to carry on. In 2004, I wrote a grant and was awarded $150,000 to restore the Hope School. |
| What motivated you/your community/your team to begin this project? |
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| I was motivated to begin the preservation project by my family’s love for the Hope School. I saw them put forth effort for that building since I was very young and l am so thankful to have firsthand (history) information about the Hope School. |
| What challenges have you faced in this project? |
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| I faced challenges during the restoration project in getting faithful and honest workers to do a good job. Make sure you read the contractor’s quote carefully.Read carefully the start time frame from beginning to end.Visit the project regularly to see what is going on.Always do a walk down before paying the contractor their final payment.Time was a factor also. Make sure you check on the contractors work during the week |
| How have you solved problems and found solutions? What advice would you give to others doing this kind of work? |
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| I solved problems by letting go of workers. I called them, and sent them pictures of their unsatisfactory work. I would ask them to come back and correct their work in five days. Try hiring contractors with a good rating, with a license. Make sure the contractor has a written contract. The best way to solve problems is not to get the cheapest person to do your work. |
| For more…. |
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Tenetha Hall Pomaria11@gmall.com 803-924-3872 |