HCF goes to DC for Advocacy Week 2025

Historic Charleston Foundation led the charge during the 2025 National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week on Capitol Hill in early March—organizing preservation advocates from around the state and meeting with South Carolina Congressional leaders. Our staff, represented by President & CEO, Winslow Hastie and Director of Advocacy, Lisa Jones, met with offices of Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Tim Scott, and Congressman Jim Clyburn to advocate for:

• The reauthorization of and appropriations for the Historic Preservation Fund
• Improvements to the Historic Tax Credit program
• Funding for our State Historic Preservation Offices

South Carolina's representatives were joined in Washington, D.C. by more than 200 attendees representing 45 states and territories on behalf of historic preservation, and collectively, reached nearly 250 congressional offices. While there is much uncertainty in Washington about future budgetary allocations and federal staffing, it is certain that leadership values South Carolina’s history and culture. Historic Charleston Foundation is honored to have been a part of furthering the national conversation to support investments in preservation and look forward to bringing you updates as they unfold.  

What are Historic Tax Credits? 

Historic Tax Credits (HTCs) are a critical tool responsible for historic revitalization success stories for more than forty years. Public-private partnerships use HTCs on eligible historic restoration projects across the country, including in South Carolina! This financial tool provides gap funding for rehabilitation projects that benefit small businesses, provide housing options, and add construction jobs. Since the passage of the program in 1976, South Carolina has completed 726 rehabilitation projects that have provided 5,723 housing units. Charleston County boasts the largest number of rehabilitation projects (almost 50%) of all the counties in the state. The rehabilitated Charleston City Jail at 21 Magazine Street and 44 State Street (new apartments) are examples of exemplary preservation projects utilizing historic tax credits.