The Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies was established in 1964 to encourage and strengthen local organizations involved in the preservation and study of historical documents, sites, buildings, and artifacts through the exchange of information and cooperative activities. Members include historical societies, commissions, foundations, preservation groups, museums, archives, individuals, and patriotic organizations. The Confederation is governed by an executive council made up of statewide officers and regional representatives from ten districts across the state.
History
In the early 1960s, South Carolina realized it had a pleasant kind of challenge to meet. All over the state, almost 100 enthusiastic organizations existed to encourage the study of "nearby history." They included roundtables and study circles; museum and preservation commissions; local research, archival and genealogical societies; and various combinations thereof. How could everyone work together at the state level to promote the study and preservation of our rich community histories?
An important part of the answer to that question was the creation of the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies. On April 4, 1964, representatives of fourteen historical societies met at Batesburg-Leesville and officially organized the Confederation of South Carolina Local Historical Societies. The Lexington County Historical Society sponsored the meeting and Dr. Charles E. Lee, Director of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History at the time, supported its creation. The Confederation’s first annual Landmark Conference was held in 1965 in Hilton Head and Savannah, with the South Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs and the National Trust for Historic Preservation as co-sponsors.
