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Historic Saluda Inc. “Preserving Saluda’s Past for It’s Future”

Since 2010, the Historic Saluda Committee has proudly served as an advisory committee to the City of Saluda, accomplishing numerous projects and fostering greater awareness of Saluda’s rich history. Over the past 15 years, we’ve also championed historic preservation and built a strong foundation for the future. Now, we believe the time is right to grow further and strengthen our mission by transitioning into a nonprofit organization. As the newly formed nonprofit, Historic Saluda, Inc., we will have three primary areas of focus:
• Historical Association – Preserves and documents Saluda’s rich history, while educating the community and visitors. This includes collecting, sharing, and properly storing archives, artifacts, and oral histories.
• Historic Preservation- Advocates for and educates the community on the importance of historic preservation, while working collaboratively with local, state, and national organizations to help preserve and protect Saluda’s historic properties. To foster appreciation and awareness, the Historic Saluda Tour of Homes is offered every 2 years.
• Museum – The museum will recognize Saluda’s expansive history, beginning with the Indigenous peoples and first settlers to arrive in the area, progressing to more modern-day times. Our goal is for the museum to open in the historic former Saluda Presbyterian Church sanctuary building after extensive planning and fundraising.

Historic Saluda, Inc. has received the incredible gift of the historic former Saluda Presbyterian Church sanctuary building constructed between 1895-96, a contributing structure found on the Saluda Main Street Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This gift from the Presbytery of Western NC, based upon the recommendations of the remaining local church members, was given with the intent this space would be transformed into a historical museum for Saluda, NC. It is also their request that this structure’s historic integrity be protected into perpetuity, however; the needs are great to make this dream come true.

With your support, we envision a beautiful, revitalized historic structure located in the Saluda Main Street Historic District, functioning as a historical museum and office environment. This revitalized space will allow for expanded programs, with state-of-the-art technology and a welcoming environment for all ages. This will allow us to deliver a broader range of programs to the community, and enhance the overall experience for all.

Using the principles of adaptive reuse for historic buildings, we plan to preserve the architectural and historical significance of the structure while adapting it to modern needs. This includes exploring the option of a historic preservation covenant or easement. Despite the fact the structure has benefited from excellent care and maintenance over the years, including a new roof and HVAC system in 2021, there are significant investments that need to be made to upgrade the space, including but not limited to, adding water and sewer access and upgrading wiring in the main sanctuary area. In addition, the building will need to be upfitted for a museum exhibit space, and the church office space will need to be modified to meet our needs.

Historic Saluda, Inc. and the reimagined space will have a profound impact on our community. Since the Historic Saluda Committee has operated without a physical location, this will give the newly formed Historic Saluda, Inc., an actual “bricks and mortar” space to operate from, providing more visibility and access in the community. In addition, the space will provide a safe and engaging environment for the community to enjoy and learn about Saluda’s history and enhance the overall quality of life for our residents and visitors. It will also provide a space for educational programs and social events, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

We are aiming to begin the outlined work by January 1, 2026, and the completion date is projected to be on or before June 30, 2027. The initial phase will focus on fund development, followed by building updates, then design and creation.