Town of Bluffton Awards First Historic Preservation Grant

The Town awarded its first Historic Preservation Grant to the Historic Bluffton Foundation on December 12, 2022, for exterior renovations to the Heyward House, located at 70 Boundary Street. The $20,000 grant will help cover the cost of the project.

The Town’s Historic Preservation Grant Program is available to owners of “Contributing Resources” to the Old Town Bluffton Historic District to financially assist in the preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of these structures so, collectively, these will continue to represent the history of Bluffton.

Bluffton currently has 84 structures on its list of “Contributing Resources” which means these homes, churches, schools, and other resources (i.e., non-structures which include the Heyward and Huger coves,) significantly contribute to the Bluffton’s history and tell a story about our collective past. Without these resources, meaningful components of Bluffton’s history would be lost.

“The template to attract tourism and economic development all starts with historic preservation,” says Mayor Lisa Sulka. “Preserve your ‘sense of place’ with historic preservation, tell the story of your community and pride and prosperity follows. Bluffton’s Historic District is our town’s past, present, and future.”

 Owners of qualifying structures in the Old Town Bluffton Historic District can apply for grants up to $30,000 for residential structures and for up to $20,000 for non-residential/commercial structures. 

 Additional information about the program and grant applications are available by contacting Glen Umberger, the Town’s historic preservationist at (email: gumberger@townofbluffton.com)