Historical Preservation and historical restoration

Michael Bedenbaugh is an American historical preservationist known for preserving South Carolina's historical landmarks including Trinity Episcopal Church, buildings in Society Hill community of Darlington County and Wilkins House.  He received the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Henry McMaster in 2021

Order of the Palmetto
McMaster and the order of the Palmetto
Niki Haley Signing Abandoned Buildings Revitilization Act

Michael Bedenbaugh was awarded the Order of the Palmetto for my work in historic Propertie.

Michael also assisted with the initial abandoned building legislation for the SC Legislation.

Niki Haley signing the initial Abandoned building legislation.

Wilkins House: Facing demolition for a nursing home project, Greenville’s most significant Italianate mansion was nearly lost. Mike quickly organized local leaders to save it.. At a key meeting, developer Neil Wilson offered to restore the house if it could be moved. Mike boldly committed to the task to raise the funds necessary. After a six-month campaign, the Save the Wilkins House Initiative raised $300,000 to relocate the 800-ton structure—the heaviest ever moved in South Carolina. Now, it stands as a private home thanks to Mike’s creative problem solving and attracting intention to one of Greenville’s most  magnificent structures.

Built in 1929 at Jim Hamilton-Owens Airport, the Curtiss-Wright Hangar had fallen into disrepair, and Richland County lacked funds for restoration. Seeking solutions, the county consulted with Mike for a way top save it and add it to the tax roles. Mike proposed selling it with a historic easement to attract an investor using tax credits. Concerned about public trust, the county accepted this plan, ensuring preservation while allowing private investment. The hangar was sold, restored, and now operates as a brewpub thanks to Mike’s creative leadership and out of the box problem solving..

Located on Daufuskie Island, the Frances Jones House is one of the few historic Gullah cottages remaining on Daufuskie and was at risk due to abandonment and deterioration. Invited by the Daufuskie Island Historical Foundation, Mike saw an opportunity to generate income for property owners while preserving history. He created the Daufuskie Endangered Place Program (DEPP), which leased properties, restored them with grants, and used vacation rentals to recoup costs before returning them to owners. The first project, the Frances Jones House, was saved with an original  grant from The 1772 Foundation. It is now saved and has turned into an icon of the Gullah History on Daufuskie thanks.

In 2009, Mike discovered the abandoned 1847 plantation house in eastern Richland County called Laurelwood, hidden by bamboo and severely deteriorated. After securing funding from his Board of directors, mike led the plan to purchase the property. Mike oversaw the stabilization of the house so as to prepare it for sale. In the aftermath of the 2008 big recession, Mike marketed the property in a way that attracted a couple from England to come to America and purchase a piece of History.