Key Partnerships




The National Parks Service
After a heritage area is designated by Congress the National Park Service staff are enlisted as partners with local community activists in planning and implementing heritage area activities. NPS enters into a compact or cooperative agreement with the local parties. The compact is a statement of assent to mutually shared goals, and also serves as the legal vehicle through which Federal funds can be passed to non-governmental management entities. The National Park Service provides expertise in historic preservation, interpretation and natural resource conservation. National Park Service involvement is advisory in nature; it neither makes nor carries out management decisions.

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been the Federal agency responsible for preserving nationally significant natural and historic resources for present and future generations. Heritage Areas allow the Park Service to fulfill this mission without having to acquire or manage more land. Instead, NPS assists citizens who express the initiative to protect their nationally important resources. Fostering local stewardship of distinct and largely intact historic and cultural landscapes allows the National Park Service to work more directly with the public in the direct preservation and protection of important landscapes which have helped define a distinctly American identity. http://www.cr.nps.gov/heritageareas/





SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism has been involved with the Heritage Corridor since it’s inception in 1996. Being the first of its kind in the state, the SCNHC acts as a prototype for heritage tourism development throughout the state.  SCPRT and the SCNHC share a mission: to stimulate economic development in the state through tourism development.  SCPRT aids the Heritage Corridor in a number of ways through the Heritage Tourism Development program of the Community and Economic Development Division.

  • SCPRT, as part of the partnership:
  • Contributes funding for Discovery Center Operations
  • Serves as the fiscal agent for the Heritage Corridor
  • Acts as an administrative agent by providing support in the areas of human resources,finance and information technology
  • Provides Product Development and Interpretation support for Discovery Centers and individual location exhibitory
  • Gives assistance in exhibit design, contract management and partnership development.
  • Assists in the areas of  Marketing, funding strategies and management liaison
    www.discoversouthcarolina.com      




South Carolina Department of Transportation
The SC DOT Director serves as on the SCNHC State Board of Directors and has partnered with us and the development and implementation of the Interpretive Signage Plan. http://www.dot.state.sc.us/  





South Carolina Department of Commerce
The Community and Rural Development Division shares our mission of development in the rural areas of South Carolina through funding crucial tourism projects using existing resources. In addition, the SCDOC is represented on the SCNHC State Board of Directors. http://www.callsouthcarolina.com/  






South Carolina State Museum
The Museum has partnered with us and assisted with interpretation development at Heritage Corridor locations. http://www.museum.state.sc.us/ 

South Carolina Arts Commission
The Commission is currently partnering with us on the development of the new Traditional and Fine Arts Trail. We are also partnering in the hiring of a researcher for the African American Heritage Trail. http://www.state.sc.us/arts/  




South Carolina Department of Agriculture
The Department of Ag worked with us in the development of the Agricultural Tourism Trail and in forming the Heritage Corridor Farmers Association. They currently serve an advisory role as a HCFA member. http://www.scda.state.sc.us/





Farm Bureau
The Farm Bureau worked with us in the development of the Agricultural Tourism Trail and in forming the Heritage Corridor Farmers Association. They currently serve an advisory role as a HCFA member. http://www.scfb.org/default.asp  




South Carolina Humanities Council
The Humanities Council works to fund the preservation and documentation of quality heritage tourism resources. In addition, the Director serves as a technical review committee member for our grants program. http://www.schumanities.org/  

County and City Governments
The county and city governments located in the 14 counties of the Heritage Corridor are involved in varying capacities.  From assisting with funding, restoration of facilities, donation of space, building preparations and volunteer service on local boards.

Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center
The Clemson University Edisto Research and Education Center has advanced the Region III Discovery Center project by hosting and providing support for the facility.

Agricultural Heritage Center Board
The Agricultural Heritage Center Board works with us to secure the facility and is assisting in the planning of future partnership endeavors.

Edgefield County Historical Society
The Edgefield County Historical Society hosted and provided support for the Region II Discovery Center facility.

Heritage Corridor Farmers Association
The Farmers Association members work with us on cross promotion, marketing, special events and special programming. www.sc-heritagecorridor.org   

Heritage Corridor Garden Destinations
The Garden Association works with us on cross promotion, marketing, special events and special programming. www.sc-heritagecorridor.org