Friends of Bald Rock Receives SC Humanities Grant to Research the History of Bald Rock

Friends of Bald Rock is pleased to announce we have been awarded a SC Humanities grant to research the history of Bald Rock. We are collaborating with Furman University on this project. Courtney Tollison, PhD, Assistant Professor of History, will serve as the Humanities Scholar. She will be advising an undergraduate history student at Furman University who will research during the Spring 2023 semester. The project will focus on researching the history of the Preserve with the idea of ultimately creating new signage of historical text panels about the site to educate an estimated 3000 visitors a week.

Providing and promoting a historical perspective to the community is an important part of shifting the culture from decades of vandalism to a new era of conservation. Learning the history and cultural significance of Bald Rock is also important to our partners, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Clemson University Landscape Architecture Department, as they study and develop designed, sustainable solutions for improved access, trails, and the way visitors engage with the land.

Friends of Bald Rock is very grateful to SC Humanities for their support of this research effort, which will move us closer to protecting, preserving, and cherishing this iconic Upstate treasure for future generations. SC Humanities is a not-for-profit organization; inspiring, engaging, and enriching South Carolinians with programs on literature, history, culture, and heritage.