Kilgore Lewis House

he Kilgore-Lewis House, built in 1838, became the headquarters for the Greenville Council of Garden Clubs, Inc., on July 30, 1974. Moved from its original site to the present location on North Academy Street, the house is nestled among tall trees on a sloping terrain, overlooking a restored spring (c. 1765), a placid pond, and extensive gardens which are certified as a backyard wildlife habitat.

The house and spring are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and visitors are welcomed for guided historic tours.

The Greenville Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. takes pride in serving as custodian of this culturally significant property and in overseeing its preservation so that current and future generations may enjoy it.

GLORIOUS BEGINNINGS

The Kilgore-Lewis House was built in 1838 by Josiah Kilgore on a site near Buncombe Street United Methodist Church in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. Local tradition says that the copper-roofed, Palladian-style house was actually a wedding gift for Kilgore's daughter Mary Keziah whose wedding ceremony was held in the front parlor of the newly built home. For 130 years, the house would remain a private home for several generations of Mary's descendants.

A GLOOMY OUTLOOK

When the last resident chose to downsize to a smaller, more manageable home, the house was briefly used by the Methodist Church for Sunday School facilities. The church soon realized, however, that the house was not adequate for their needs and decided to tear down the home.

THE MOVE & RESTORATION

The Greenville Council of Garden Clubs soon stepped in with a restoration plan in mind. The Council negotiated to lease land on North Academy Street from the City of Greenville. Through a variety of fundraising projects, the Council also raised over $100,000 to finance the move, restoration and furnishing of the house. The house was actually moved to its new brick foundation on April 24, 1974. The move was so successful that not one window was cracked en route.

THE HOUSE TODAY

Since 1974, the Kilgore-Lewis House has served as the headquarters for the Greenville Council of Garden Clubs. The house and its five-acre, wooded grounds provide a meeting place for the Council, its Board of Directors and committees, and its twenty gardening clubs. In addition to Council activities, the house and its surrounding gardens serve as a favorite location for events such as weddings, receptions, family celebrations and small business meetings.

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