URGENT UPDATE: A critical effort is underway to preserve a historically significant cemetery on Pawleys Island, South Carolina. The Litchfield Plantation Cemetery Conservancy has just launched a fundraiser aiming to raise $20,000 to protect and restore the final resting place of approximately 150 slaves who worked at the plantation.
The nonprofit’s fundraising campaign is crucial as the cemetery currently exists in a state of neglect, featuring only a few faded headstones and flags marking burial spots. Ground-penetrating radar technology will be employed to accurately map the burial locations, paving the way for a comprehensive restoration plan.
Bob Morrison, president of the conservancy, emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “It is something that’s been left undone for so long. This is part of this plantation’s heritage and South Carolina’s heritage as well.” The initiative aims to honor the lives and sacrifices of those who contributed significantly to the plantation’s history.
The funds raised will support the first phase of restoration, which includes installing a protective fence and creating a historical marker to acknowledge the site’s significance. Morrison expressed his personal connection to the project, describing how his interest was sparked after meeting a descendant of those buried at the plantation. “I want to give families a place to visit their loved ones,” he added.
The cemetery site is privately owned, but the owner has graciously granted the conservancy a license to proceed with the restoration efforts. Plans also include archaeological research to locate living descendants of those interred at Litchfield.
As of now, the conservancy is urging community members to contribute. Donations can be made through their GoFundMe page, via PayPal, or by sending checks to Litchfield Plantation Cemetery Conservancy, Inc., PO Box 188, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
Every contribution will help ensure that the legacy of those who once toiled in the rice fields is not forgotten. This is a significant opportunity for the community to come together and honor its history.
For more information and to stay updated on this vital project, visit their Facebook page.
The urgency of this restoration project cannot be overstated. Act now to be part of preserving a vital piece of South Carolina’s heritage!
