Preserving History, Building Health: Lincolnville's New Greenway Combines Heritage and Wellness

Dr. Pernessa Seele, founder and president of the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society, donated family property to create a community garden named after Bishop Richard Harvey Cain, who founded the town. The garden is restoring Lincolnville's agricultural heritage and fostering a sense of community while providing access to fresh produce for residents.

Photo courtesy of the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society.

In the heart of South Carolina, just an hour north of Charleston, a groundbreaking preservation project is breathing new life into one of the oldest African American towns in the state. Through a collaboration between the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society and the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA), an inspiring project is taking shape—one that promises to honor the town’s history while promoting community health and wellness.

A Legacy of Self-Determination

Founded in 1867 by Bishop Richard Harvey Cain and six visionary leaders who sought refuge from racial discrimination in Charleston, Lincolnville stands out among thousands of communities established during the Emancipation Era. What sets Lincolnville apart is its founders' foresight in incorporating the town, establishing self-governance. This early exercise in self-determination established a precedent of community autonomy that continues to influence Lincolnville's development today.

Preserving Sacred Spaces

"The 40 acres of which NPS-RTCA is creating a park plan for is the historical fabric of the community," said Dr. Pernessa Seele, founder and president of the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society. "It's never been inhabited, except by the wildlife that live there. And it's next door to one of three African American Burial Grounds in Lincolnville,”The planned trail system will pass by the historic cemetery, which will feature a historical marker. Efforts are underway to add the cemetery to the National Register of Historic Places. "The cemetery is the resting place for people like Maria Eden, who was instrumental in creating Lincolnville, as well as many veterans of the Civil War and World War I and II,” Dr. Seele said. By connecting the natural landscape with significant historical sites, the project weaves a powerful narrative of continuity.

Innovation in Preservation

Like many areas surrounding Charleston, Lincolnville is facing increasing development pressures. However, thanks to its unique circular design, the community's historical core remains preserved while new developments are primarily confined to its outskirts. The project encompasses two significant sites that tell the story of Lincolnville's heritage. The first is a 40-acre regional park that will feature low-impact trails that protect the natural beauty and ancestral lands and includes creeks and marshes that provide habitat for local wildlife. The second is a one-acre historical complex that preserves the original schoolhouse, fire station, and a historic home.The project began when the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society contacted the National Park Service to join the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network—a network that includes sites and programs that are affiliated with the Reconstruction Era but are not necessarily managed by the National Park Service. This connection led to the society learning about NPS-RTCA, inspiring them to apply for project assistance.Bill Lane, a landscape architect with the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program, led the project. Using 3D mapping technology, Lane and his team overlaid historical maps onto current parcels to ensure new development plans remain consistent with the area's historical use. "We spent considerable time listening to community members, hearing their stories, and understanding their vision for this ancestral land," Lane said. "By overlaying historical maps onto current aerial views, we were able to identify significant sites and ensure our design honors both the land's history and its future potential."

The National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program collaborated with the community to develop a conceptual plan for the proposed 40-acre Lincolnville Heritage Park. The plan incorporated key requested elements and significant historical landmarks to preserve Lincolnville's legacy.

Health and Heritage Combined

Addressing key community challenges, the park will offer a safe, accessible space for exercise and wellness activities—an important resource for residents facing chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. "This park will provide free, accessible space for exercise and recreation, something our community desperately needs," Dr. Seele said. "This isn't just about preserving history; it's about preserving our community's future. When people can walk these trails, learn their history, and improve their health while connecting with their neighbors, that's how we rebuild what we once had."Dr. Seele has already begun revitalization efforts by establishing a community garden and organizing traditional craft workshops, previewing the project's larger vision.

The Rosenwald School once served as Lincolnville's central gathering place, inspiring the current park initiative to restore a lost sense of community connection. Photo courtesy of the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society.

Rebuilding Community Bonds

The heart of old Lincolnville once beat the strongest at its Rosenwald School—one of the thousands of schools built across the South through a partnership between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald to provide education to African American children. The school's closure and subsequent busing of students away from the area led to a gradual erosion of community connections. The new park, featuring trails, gathering spaces, and a link to historic sites, is imagined as a central hub for the community, much like the school was once regarded.

Cultural Heritage Preservation and Community Voices

Situated within the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the project benefits from local efforts to document and preserve the traditions of Lincolnville’s early settlers. This partnership ensures that the rich Gullah Geechee history of the area is honored and will continue to inspire future generations.Central to the project's development has been the involvement of community elders, whose stories and memories of early Lincolnville have directly influenced the park's design. This collaborative approach ensures that the final product will provide both educational and outdoor recreational opportunities for all ages while maintaining historical authenticity.

Looking Forward

Through thoughtful planning and strong partnerships with the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society, Town of Lincolnville, and the Lowcountry Land Trust, this project sets a new standard for historical preservation. The park not only preserves Lincolnville’s rich history but also offers a vibrant community space that will help enhance the physical and mental well-being for residents. Winding trails and historic markers create pathways that will connect visitors with more than 150 years of heritage.

Dr. Seele participates in a genealogy workshop facilitated by NPS-RTCA staff to document Lincolnville's place within the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, a National Heritage Area designated by an act of Congress in 2006 to protect the culture of the region.

Photo courtesy of the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society.