About the State Historic Preservation Office

Our Purpose: The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) encourages and facilitates the responsible stewardship of South Carolina's irreplaceable historic and prehistoric places.

The SHPO was established in 1969 to implement the goals of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, which extended federal support to state and local preservation efforts. The SHPO, which receives federal funds through the National Park Service, is a program of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Dr. W. Eric Emerson, Director, is the State Historic Preservation Officer.  Elizabeth M. Johnson is the Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer.

Agency Staff Directory

State Historic Preservation Plan

Why Preserve?