Historic Bates House Property and Grounds Protected for Future Generations
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2026
WHAT: The Greenville County Historic & Natural Resources Trust and its partner, Upstate Preservation Trust, will provide onsite details about one of the latest historic and open space projects made possible through public and private grants.
The nearly 11-acre site includes the Bates House ca. 1835, a barn, spring, and small cottage (early 1900s). The site and buildings, excluding the cottage, are on the National Register of Historic Places.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 11:00 AM
WHERE: 3141 Hwy. 14, Greenville, SC 29615
WHO: Greenville County Trust and Partners. Hear from Trust Chairman Jim O'Connor & Technical Advisor Carlton Owen; Lindsey Strand, Chair, Upstate Preservation Trust; Adair Roark, SC Conservation Bank; Ryan Thackray, Community Foundation of Greenville; and County Councilman Curt McGahhey about how the Transportation Sales Tax would help expand Trust efforts.
BACKGROUND: The historic house was built by William Bates from Rhode Island in the 1830s, a textile executive who helped bring commerce to the area prior to the War Between the States. After training his son-in-law, Henry Hammett, in the textile manufacturing trade, Hammett later opened the first large modern textile company in the Upstate, Piedmont Manufacturing Company ca. 1876, making way for Greenville to become a major textile center.
This project is one of 3 of 37 projects with historic structures that the County Trust has helped protect. Over the last 5+ years the Trust has helped protect 3,300 acres – over ½ percent of Greenville County.
The Greenville County Historic & Natural Resources Trust works to help protect the character of Greenville County through acquisition of lands for public use and conservation easements on working farms and forests. It was created by ordinance in December 2020. Its all-volunteer Board was appointed in May 2021 with initial funding provided in fiscal year 2022. www.gchnrt.org
Upstate Preservation Trust works to protect the history of Upstate SC through education, engagement, and stewardship. Formed in 2022, UPT was the Greenville County Trust grantee for the Oakland Plantation which is planned as the newest Regional County Park and is leading efforts to restore the historic buildings on that site. www.preserveupstate.org
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Contact: Carlton Owen
Greenville County Historic & Natural Resources Trust
864-414-1325 carltonowen1@gmail.com
