Greenville Park Honors Textile History, Plans for a Museum Underway
GREENVILLE, S.C.: For almost a decade, residents of a certain Greenville mill village have been tirelessly working towards conserving the county’s deep-rooted textile mill history. They have managed to complete half of their mission and are now urging the public for support to facilitate the remaining work.
Preservation of Textile Heritage
Chairman of the Greenville Textile Heritage Society, Don Harkins recalls his experiences growing up in the mill village with evident fondness. According to him, the notable Monaghan mill village, comprising nearly 365 homes, was a close-knit community, making it an exceptional experience for the inhabitants. “We had school close by, ball field, gymnasium, and everything was confined in this little one village,” he described.
In his pursuit to preserve and celebrate the textile heritage, Harkins has been dedicatedly investing over a decade to safeguard the history of the place he still feels connected to.
“Our goal is to preserve and to celebrate our textile heritage, and also to educate the general public as to the role that textiles played in the growth and development of Greenville,” said Harkins.
Transforming a Parking Lot into a Historical Park
About six years ago, the Greenville Textile Heritage Society, led by Harkins, had a vision to transform a six-acre parking lot into a park. Today, the Smythe Street proudly showcases the reformed area.
The park features the Mill Walk, an inspiring journey through Greenville’s 13 historical mills and the pivotal role of textile mills in shaping the city’s infrastructure, libraries, hospitals, and homes.
Plans for a Textile Museum
The group has now planned to enhance the historical value of the park by adding a museum. The museum will highlight more enriching aspects of Greenville’s rich textile history.
The project of the park has been possible due to the financial assistance from the community. The group is soon to launch a campaign to gather funds required for the museum’s project. Those interested in supporting the cause can contact Greenville Textile Heritage Society.
Harkins expressed his gratitude for the community’s support, “Sometimes I just sit back and amaze at what’s been accomplished, and I know it’s the Lord that’s helped us and so many wonderful people who have the same vision that we have.”
This initiative blends history, community participation, and education in one, offering a unique experience to visitors and locals alike, reinforcing the historical significance of the textile industry in Greenville.
