URGENT UPDATE: A critical fundraiser has just been launched by the Litchfield Plantation Cemetery Conservancy to preserve a historic cemetery on Pawleys Island, SC. The nonprofit aims to raise $20,000 to restore the final resting place of approximately 150 enslaved individuals who worked at the Litchfield Plantation.
The campaign is pivotal for honoring the memories of those buried in the overgrown cemetery. According to nonprofit president Bob Morrison, this effort is long overdue. “This is part of this plantation’s heritage and South Carolina’s heritage as well,” he stated. “These folks gave their time and their blood, sweat and tears and their lives to make this plantation what it is.”
Funds raised will be directed towards phase one of the project, which includes installing a protective fence and a historical marker at the site. The conservancy also plans to utilize advanced ground-penetrating radar technology to accurately map burial locations. Currently, the cemetery features only a few faded headstones and flags marking burial spots, with some graves indicated by indigenous plants used by the enslaved to honor their loved ones.
The cemetery, located on privately owned land, has received permission from the owner to proceed with the restoration. Morrison’s passion for this project ignited when he met a descendant of one of those buried at the plantation. He emphasized the importance of providing families with a place to visit their ancestors.
This initiative is not only a restoration project; it’s a movement to reclaim and honor a significant piece of history. The organization is calling on the community for support. Donations can be made via their GoFundMe page, PayPal, or by mailing contributions to Litchfield Plantation Cemetery Conservancy, Inc., PO Box 188, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
As the fundraiser gains momentum, the conservancy invites the public to engage and share this vital cause. Together, we can ensure that the stories of those who shaped this land are preserved for future generations.
For updates on this urgent project and how to contribute, visit their Facebook page and help spread the word. Every contribution counts in making this important restoration possible.
