When she thinks about the main house of the Walnut Grove planning over the years, Ginger Davis' thoughts come: “Sad”.
Things had become so bad that the Spartanburg Historical Association, which managed ownership, was forced to complete the house to visitors, said Davis, the chairman of the organization's board.
Thanks to the contributions of local donors and a state grant of a total of 1.5 million US dollars – together with the efforts of historical renovation experts – the structure of a significant restoration has been experienced.
John Rainey, an artist, explains to a crowd, as he is involved in a tour of the Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck, SC, Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in Roebuck, SC, how old Wood is to be published.
“We waited a long time,” said Davis during a special tour with about 45 donors and volunteers on September 16. “I am thrilled that it is completely again.”
Connection to the history of independence
Walnut Grove belongs to the Spartanburg County Foundation and is considered one of the most important historical sites of Spartanburg County.
His story dates from 1763 when Charles and Mary Moore by King Charles III. Received a land grant. They developed a plantation that finally included 3,600 acres and the main house and several other structures to support everyday life.
The moores opened 10 children in Walnut Grove. The plantation was also the home of the enslaved African Americans.
A group toured on September 16 on September 16 to the outside of the main house in Walnut Grove Plantation and got an insight into how life was there in colonial era. The house was recently subjected to great restoration.
Members of the Moore family actively supported the Patriot -during the American Revolution.
Walnut Grove was the scene of violence during the American Revolution when the loyalistic “Bloody Bill” Cunningham attacked the plantation and killed a Patriot soldier who lived in the house.
The oldest bog child was Kate Moore Barry, who served as a scout for General Daniel Morgan during the American revolution and contributed to collecting soldiers to support the Patriot's cause in the Battle of Cowpens.
She became known as “the heroine of Cowpens”.
With his connections to the War of Independence, Walnut Grove is a place of “great national importance”, said Troy Hanna, President of the Spartanburg County Foundation.
Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck, SC, Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
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'So close to the original' as possible
For decades, school children have been doing excursions to Walnut Grove to learn something about Spartanburg's connection to American history. The plantation was a popular destination for local historical lovers and families who are looking for a fun weekend trip.
“People say:” Oh, I came out of here when I was at school. “
Love was the main architect in the restoration in Walnut Grove. He has teamed up with the Bennett Preservation Engineering based in Charleston.
Donnie Love, architect by McMillan Pazdan Smith and expert for historical renovation work, was part of a team that carried out a large restoration of the main building in Walnut Grove Plantation. Love remembered Walnut Grove as a child and said that he hoped to “get the house as close as possible to the original”.
They discovered a number of structural problems – water damage, termite damage and more – that had to be tackled before the house could be renovated significantly and reopened to the public.
“It was exciting to find out how it got and how to fix it without losing all historical details and characters,” said Love.
Overall, the team of designers and contractors carried out structural repairs and worked on the siding, flooring, painted surfaces and other elements of the house to “get the original as close as possible”.
The reopening of the main house in good time is “big for us”
Davis is pleased that the house is open to this year's festival and will take place on October 4th to 5th. The annual event offers reenacts, tours, courses and storytelling.
To make the house available for tours is big for us again, “said Davis.
An iron lock during a tour of the Walnut Grove Plantation in Roebuck, SC, Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Catherine Helms dressed during the tour on September 16. It was stationed in the small outbuilding, which once served as a kitchen. She has a part -time job to give visitors insight into utensils and cooking methods from the colonial era.
Helms, who grew up in the nearby Pauline, said she was “passionate about history” – it is her main subject at USC upstate.
She remembered Walnut Grove in third grade and said she enjoyed presenting the history of plantations for a new generation of young people. “But I couldn't give tours through the main house yet,” she said. “I am very happy that it is open again.”
This article originally appeared on Herald Journal: Historic Walnut Grove House opens up in time for 2025 Festifall weekend