1. Name: _____________________________Date: ________
Saved: S.C. Slave Cabins
By Tricia McCarter-Joseph | Online Only | Dec.
2, 2009
Former slave cabin in Anderson, S.C.
Credit: Palmetto Trust for Historic
Preservation
A row of four small houses believed to
be slave cabins were discovered in South
Carolina last month. The 800-square-foot
structures have since been purchased by
the Palmetto Trust for Historic
Preservation, which wants them to be
restored as houses or offices.
The cabins were built in the mid-1800s in Anderson, S.C., located between
Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C. In August, after the houses' current owner applied for a
demolition permit, the city's board of architecture review condemned the buildings. Then
board members called on Michael Bedenbaugh, executive director of the Palmetto Trust,
to investigate the historic value of the houses, just five blocks from Anderson's historic
district.
During a visit, Bedenbaugh examined the foundation bricks for clues about when
the houses may have been built. He says he suspects that the houses were part of a "slave
alley," one of only a few in the upstate region. The Palmetto Trust purchased the houses
from the owner for about $6,200.
Last month about 20 locals gathered to clean up the houses, some of which were
occupied by tenants. A contractor boarded up some windows and doors. "It was a safety
issue, since vagrants were getting into the buildings, and we were concerned about a fire
breaking out," says Amanda Noble, a representative of Anderson Heritage, a local
preservation group, and a member of the city's board of architecture
review. "It's been an exciting project to be involved in. In the course of three months, it
was saved, when it could have easily been demolished." Bedenbaugh says that a more
thorough review is under way to determine more about the history of the structures and to
confirm their designation as contributing structures to the historic district. "We hope to
use these buildings as a way to research and understand a lot about Anderson's history
over the last 150 years," he says, adding that he would like to pursue having them
designated National Historic Landmarks.
More research will reveal more of the story, Noble says. "There have been some
historic structures that were lost before Anderson Heritage and the Palmetto Trust were
formed. We feel that these buildings are part of a working piece of property [such as a
plantation], and it gives us a glimpse of the way the area developed over the years," she
says.
Bedenbaugh's group hopes to find a buyer willing to renovate the properties as
either residential or commercial properties.
http://www.preservationnation.org/magazine/2009/todays-news/saved-sc-slavecabins.
html

2. 1. Do you think the cabins are actual slave cabins? Why?
2. Is rebuilding these cabins an appropriate use for them? Could they be used
as residences? Would you live in one?
3. If they are not being preserved as they were, does it matter if they are torn
down? Is it a loss?
Using your answers to these questions, construct an essay arguing for public
funding for the preservation of these cabins, or for their destruction.