Westminster Area Historic Preservation Society (WAHPS)

Meeting Dates

WAHPS meets the 4th Monday of every month at 4:30pm at the newly renovated Westminster Depot, located at 135 E Main St, Westminster, SC. Each meeting is important, as we discuss new and past projects and brainstorm ideas on how to preserve the history of Westminster.

If you are interested in joining WAHPS or in learning more about the organization, please browse this website for more information.

Recent News

OMC Donates Architectural Hospital Rendition to WAHPS

Jeanne Ward, President of OMC donated to WAHPS and OHC an architectural rendition of a hospital that was to be built in Westminster in 1925. The Great Depression hit and plans had to be abandoned. The picture was found in an attic in Texas and returned to the hospital. The picture is to soon hang in the General Store Museum.

Current Projects

Westminster Birthday Party and Yard Sale 

March 17th is Westminster's Birthday! Join us downtown as we celebrate with a yard sale and soup and cornbread lunch. Plates available for purchase with soup, cornbread and drink for $5 each. Free birthday cake for everyone! Event will begin at 9am and end at 1pm, or until we run out of soup and cake! Items from the England Store which will not be used in the General Store museum will be sold by WAHPS. There will also be a yard sale for outside vendors. Contact us if you are interested in renting a parking space for the event. 

We have had several work days for WAHPS where we are sorting items which will not be used in the General Store Museum. These items are to be sold at the yard sale. Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped make this project a huge success!

General Store Museum

The General Store Museum is now open! Visit our England Store page on this site to learn more.

126 Main Street, Westminster, SC

Hours: Saturdays: 9am – 1pm

My Memoirs (by Albert Zimmerman)

WAHPS recently published the Memoirs of Albert Zimmerman. He was the “first” of so many things in Westminster.  He built the first house in the town, operated the first store, became the first railroad agent, the first express manager, the first postmaster, the first cotton buyer, the first livery stable man and the first secretary of the cotton mill. He was a charter member of the Westminster Mason Lodge No. 200 and was the first Worshipful Master of this lodge. He served as the first mayor of our fair city and also served in the House of Representatives. Books are $10, and are available at the Chamber of Commerce and Dad's and Lad's in Westminster, and also at the Oconee Heritage Center (OHC) in Walhalla.

Reminiscences - Memories of Growing Up in a Small Town 1930-1949

WAHPS recently published the Memoirs of Rita Moon Nickels. She was a resident of Westminster and her stories are informative and entertaining. It's a great way to learn about life in the 1930's. Books are $10, and are available at the Chamber of Commerce and Dad's and Lad's in Westminster, and also at the Oconee Heritage Center (OHC) in Walhalla.

Recipe Treasures Westminster and Surrounding Areas

WAHPS is now selling the recently completed Westminster Area Cookbook. This includes Westminster and surrounding areas of Long Creek, Madison, Oakway, Holly Springs, Pleasant Hill, Foxwood Hills, and Chickasaw Point. With so many wonderful cooks around, we thought it was a shame not to take advantage of these wonderful recipes. We have collected all kinds of recipes, from historic, southern recipes to modern recipes that everyone will enjoy making for their families. The book was completed and printed just in time for the Christmas Bazaar and Tour of Homes 2009. Books are $15, and are available at the Chamber of Commerce and Dad's and Lad's in Westminster, and also at the Oconee Heritage Center (OHC) in Walhalla.

The following is an excerpt from Newsy Notes, as printed in the Westminster News, dated March 11, 2010. Newsy Notes are written by Rolann Lee.

If you haven’t bought a WAHPS Cookbook the following reaction from my friend Ann Carraway just might cause you to do so. After I gave her one on Friday I received this e-mail on Saturday morning: “To the Person who brought the cookbook to me yesterday: Excuse me, but I have WORK to do today! I ALWAYS clean my bedroom and bathroom on Saturdays.  I DON'T have time to do what I am doing!  I am intrigued with people who have contributed recipes that I may know AND the stories are great, I MUST look at all the pictures and READ the snippets AND I haven't even started looking at the RECIPES yet! I request, no I DEMAND! that someone comes out and does my cleaning because I CAN'T PUT THE COOKBOOK DOWN!” Rolann says, "That says it all!"

Veterans Book

WAHPS is now selling a reprinted edition of Service Record Book of Men and Women of Westminster, South Carolina and Community. The original book was published by the VFW Post No. 6738, a group that no longer has a charter.  The book contains the photographs of George Campbell, Furman King, Claude Knox, William C. Shirley, Jr. and Luna Wilson, all from the Westminster area and listed as “Gold Star Boys” because they died in the military conflict.  The book also contains the pictures and World War II service record accounts for 57 other service men of the Westminster area. It is estimated that the book was published about 1948, although no actual date is given in the original edition.  The book also contains a collection of about 30 advertisements from Westminster area merchants of the 1940’s. Because WAHPS recognizes that all Westminster area men and women who served in WWII are not included in the original edition, another more complete edition was printed and is now available for purchase. Books are $18, and are available at the Chamber of Commerce and Dad's and Lad's in Westminster, and also at the Oconee Heritage Center (OHC) in Walhalla.

Oconee County SCGenWeb Project 

Check out Oconee County cemetery information compiled by Paul Kankula with the GenWeb Project. This group has accomplished significant research which is available on the website of the Oconee County SCGenWeb Project.

Grant Announcements

SCNHC $20,000

WAHPS has received several grants. One grant was a $20,000 grant from the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC) for capital improvements at the satellite branch of the Oconee Heritage Center (OHC) in Westminster, more commonly known as the Barrett-Jones Building. The grant money received by WAHPS went toward the first phase of capital improvements of the Barrett-Jones Building. The project included the renovation of an historic building on Main Street for use as a general store museum.  The museum contains a portion of the collection of artifacts from the England’s General Merchandise Store and there is also space for other Westminster-related exhibits. Other renovations included the installation of a rear deck for access, HVAC system, plumbing, electrical, security and fire protection.

Additionally, the project included restoration of a water-damaged store counter from England ’s Store and the re-creation of shelving that parallels the walls of the building. The restroom was also renovated.

The product development grants from the SCNHC are a 50/50 match. To match the grants, WAHPS applied for additional matching grants and sponsored fundraisers.

Oconee County Local ATAX $1,940

WAHPS received $1,940 from the Oconee County Local ATAX grant for tourism related projects in 2008. The funds received went toward the first phase of capital improvements of the Barrett-Jones Building.

Mountain Lakes Region SCNHC

WAHPS received $8,000 from the Mountain Lakes Region of the SCNHC in 2008. The funds received went toward the first phase of capital improvements of the Barrett-Jones Building.

Oconee County State ATAX $5,700

WAHPS received $5,700 from the Oconee County State ATAX grant for tourism relates projects in 2008. The funds received went toward the first phase of capital improvements of the Barrett-Jones Building.

Oconee County Local ATAX $2,500

WAHPS received $2,500 from the Oconee County Local ATAX grant for tourism related projects in 2009. The funds received went toward the shelving along the walls of the General Store Museum in the Barrett-Jones Building.

Check out the Past Projects to see information and pictures from past events and fundraisers!

CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES

• Westminster Chamber of Commerce
• City of Westminster
• Oconee Heritage Center