History Tours: The Catalyst of Greenville’s Downtown Revival

Greenville, a city with a stark historical past, has undergone intensive revival efforts that transformed its downtown landscape. These rejuvenation efforts can attribute some of their success to the genesis of history tours, which provided insights into the city’s rich yet overlooked history.

Igniting a Movement: The Inception of City Tours

The initial attempt to present guided tours of Greenville emerged in 1981, courtesy of Tours Around Greenville South (TAGS), a nonprofit organized by the Metropolitan Arts Council. The city was at an early stage of its revitalization process, with downtown Greenville starting to spring back to life, primarily due to the concerted efforts of local business workers frequenting the remaining shops and restaurants from the 1970s.

With the help of extensive research by Furman history professor A.V. Huff, TAGS devised a pilot program led by director Jo Ann Walker. This program trained forty volunteers to lead three thematic driving tours, each providing a unique perspective into Greenville’s cultural, historical, and commercial scenes.

First Strides towards Recognition

Despite only conducting three tours within the first ten months, TAGS received state-wide recognition in early 1982. The state’s Chamber of Commerce’s Travel Awards Program hailed the program as the most outstanding innovation in South Carolina tourism. The service catered primarily to visiting convention clients but soon expanded to cater to a wider demographic, including newcomers, seniors, community clubs, scouts, and church groups.

Expansion and Evolutions

As Greenville bloomed through the 1990s, tours began to incorporate new features. The itinerary started including notable structures from the old carriage factory complex, Duke’s mayonnaise factory, and other recently constructed buildings. Special attention was also given to the revitalized historic neighborhoods, highlighting the restoration efforts in the area.

However, city tours in Greenville saw a brief suspension at the turn of the new millennium, marking the end of A Glimpse of Greenville, the rebranded version of TAGS.

The Advent of Greenville History Tours

The absence of city tours ended in 2006, with the emergence of Greenville History Tours, the city’s first commercial tour service. The venture, led by John Nolan, curator of the Museum & Gallery at BJU, offered a suite of historic walking and driving tours along with unique food/drink tours.

Creating A Tapestry of Thematic Experiences

Carving out its niche in Greenville’s tourism landscape, Greenville History Tours sparked a trend that led to a diverse array of thematic tours. Today, the city offers a rich variety of experiences, such as black history tours, art tours, architecture tours, winery tours, brewery tours, bike tours, Segway tours, ghost tours, and even interactive app tours.

John Nolan, now a pivotal figure in Greenville’s tourism industry, expressed gratitude for being part of the city’s heritage. According to him, the tours serve as a dynamic medium to explore the history, culture, and evolution of Greenville, providing an unforgettable experience to both tourists and locals alike.

Conclusion

To sum up, the genesis and evolution of historical tours played an instrumental role in reviving downtown Greenville. The continued efforts of individuals and organizations committed to illuminating the city’s past have stimulated local business growth and reshaped the experience of residents and visitors alike, paving the way for a vibrant and thriving urban landscape.