CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Historic Properties, along with the Andrew Pickens chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, are hosting a celebration of the porch restoration at the historic Hopewell Plantation at 1 p.m. May 20.

History professor Rod Andrew, author of “The Life and Times of General Andrew Pickens: Revolutionary War Hero, American Founder” will be the featured speaker. Andrew will sign copies of his book and there will be a ribbon-cutting on Hopewell’s newly restored front porch. Artifacts from the current historic preservation investigation of the site will be displayed.

Hopewell Plantation, which sits on a picturesque hillside on the shores of Hartwell Lake, is a log frontier pioneer structure that was transformed into a vernacular Federal residence during the 20 years Revolutionary War Gen. Andrew Pickens lived there.

The home was the site of the signing of the first treaties signed with Native American Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. The history to be interpreted at the site encompasses the Native American and Revolutionary War eras; the development of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties; and the African-American slaves that worked for the Pickens and, later, the Cherry families.

Progress to date, included archaeology on site done by the Anthropology Club at Clemson University, has produced some interesting finds, including a continuous framing sill which was more than 52 feet long, making it one of the longest such sills in colonial South Carolina.

Will Hiott, director of Historic Properties at Clemson, said he’s very happy with the progress that has been made thus far on the restoration of of the front porch of the house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We’ve finished the structural restoration of the decking, railing and new front steps, and we’re excited to be completing the second phase of the porch project, which includes painting the house in historically accurate colors based on paint analysis by Kyle Campbell of Preservation South,” Hiott said.

Hiott praised Clemson University project manager Rick Owens, restoration contractor Paul Carroll of Green Build LLC Construction and subcontractor Kelvin Eichinger, restoration specialist with Mountain Sturdy Oak Restorations, for their work on the porch project.

The project was funded through the sponsorship of the Andrew Pickens Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and matching gifts in support of Hopewell to the Clemson University Foundation. Contributions to help preserve other portions of Hopewell can be made to: https://cualumni.clemson.edu/give/historicproperties.

Those interested in attending the party can RSVP by May 12 to Katie Campbell Smith at rsvp@clemson.edu or 864-656-0123.

For more information, contact Hiott at 864-656-2475 or visit http://www.clemson.edu/about/history/properties/.

Hopewell Plantation, which sits on a picturesque hillside on the shores of Hartwell Lake, is a log frontier pioneer structure that was transformed into a vernacular Federal residence during the 20 years Revolutionary War Gen. Andrew Pickens lived there.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_cuhopewellplantation01.jpgHopewell Plantation, which sits on a picturesque hillside on the shores of Hartwell Lake, is a log frontier pioneer structure that was transformed into a vernacular Federal residence during the 20 years Revolutionary War Gen. Andrew Pickens lived there. Courtesy photo

An example of the porch’s deterioration.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_cuhopewellplantation02.jpgAn example of the porch’s deterioration. Ken Scar | Clemson University

The porch restoration nearly complete.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_cuhopewellplantation03.jpgThe porch restoration nearly complete. Will Hiott | Clemson University

By Ken Scar

For The Sentinel-Progress

Ken Scar works in Media Relations at Clemson University.