Contributed by: Preservation South Carolina
Organization: Preservation South Carolina
Dated Posted: October 18, 2026
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The Dawkins House in Union, which served as South Carolina’s provisional capitol from February 16 to April 9, 1865, has received $800,000 in the state’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, allocated to the University of South Carolina Union for the preservation project. With about $300,000 raised privately in Union County, roughly $1.1 million is now available toward Phase 2 stabilization. The project has also received a grant from the Timken Foundation.

Bennett Preservation Engineering of Charleston is expected to begin design work this fall, with Phase 2 construction to start no later than April 2027. Once restored, the house will be USC Union’s Alumni Association and Corporate Center, named the Willie and Mary Jeffries Commons at Dawkins House in honor of Coach Willie Jeffries and Mary Jeffries. Preservation South Carolina and the Union-Laurens Commission for Higher Education are raising about $500,000 more for Phase 3 interior and systems work.

More information: preservesc.org