BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.— During the November 24th council meeting, county council unanimously approved $20,000 in accommodations tax money to fund some much needed upgrades to Berkeley County’s only remaining one-room classroom.
The original Cherry Hill Classroom was built in 1876 by former slaves who used it as a church; however, it was later converted to an all-black classroom and remained in use until 1956.
Many local residents who call Old Cherry Hill Road home eventually launched a mission to restore the building. Fundraising for initial project renovations began in late 2008, and the building was completed in March 2011.
However, more work on the building is needed they say.
On September 8th, 2014, county leaders approved the community’s request for the $20,000 in order to construct a pavilion provided that the S.C. Tourism Expenditure Review Committee gave the green light.
The final decision in late-November came after county leaders learned that the Tourism Expenditure Review Committee (TERC) is an oversight committee, and therefore can’t by law say whether or not a potential expenditure would be acceptable.
According to county documents, Phase 1 renovations will include new gutters, painting, a metal roof, insulation and wiring in the amount of $115,000.
Additional renovations will include the completion of a pole shed with a portion of it enclosed and partitioned for storage and a bathroom with an estimated cost of $36,000.
Berkeley Co. Chamber of Commerce CEO Elaine Morgan has called the renovations “a wonderful project” and one that she believes will enhance a visitor’s experience to Berkeley County.
According to Morgan, the total price tag to perform the renovations needed are estimated to be around $160,000.
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