Michael Bedenbaugh

Michael Bedenbaugh is an American historical preservationist[1] known for preserving South Carolina's historical landmarks including Trinity Episcopal Church,[2] buildings in Society Hill community of Darlington County[3] and Wilkins House.[4] He received the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Henry McMaster in 2021.[5]

Michael Bedenbaugh
Personal details
Political partyAlliance
ProfessionReal estate

Education

He earned a degree in International Studies focusing on Russian studies and History from University of South Carolina in 1990, and studied at Columbia University during his senior year.[6]

Career

Bedenbaugh served as president and CEO of Preservation SC, a nonprofit organization preserving historic properties in South Carolina, from 2007 to 2022.[7] He implemented programs and raised over $3 million for preservation projects, generating over $2 million in operating revenue.[8]

During his career, Bedenbaugh's advocacy and behind the scenes negotiations helped ensure the conversion of the Palmetto Compress near the University of South Carolina into off-campus student housing, and the Curtiss-Wright Hangar at Columbia's L.B. Owens Airport transformation into a bustling brewery and restaurant.[9] Bedenbaugh led the effort to preserve Trinity Episcopal Church in 2019, and applied for a $250,000 national preservation grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places.[10] In 2020, he negotiated the donation of the vacant Plantation House hotel in Edgefield with the desire to revitalize the 30,000-square-foot historic building by finding qualified investors and entrepreneurs to refurbish it.[8]

For his work, he received the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Henry McMaster in 2021.[11]

2024 US House election
See also: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections and 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina

In January 2024, Bedenbaugh announced his candidacy to represent South Carolina's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives, being vacated by Jeff Duncan.[12] He will seek the Alliance Party nomination.

References
  1. Husk, Andy (August 13, 2021). "Bedenbaugh awarded Order of the Palmetto". Newberry Observer.
  2. Núñez, Linda (May 27, 2019). "Restoring Abbeville's Trinity Episcopal Church". South Carolina Public Radio.
  3. Behre, Robert (September 9, 2017). "Saving Society Hill: The birthplace of the Pee Dee looks to its past for new life". Post and Courier.
  4. Lee, Anna. "Wilkins House secrets emerge as move nears". The Greenville News.
  5. Olson, Mike (July 23, 2021). "Gov. McMaster presents 2021 SC Historic Preservation Awards". WOLO-TV. American Broadcasting Company.
  6. "Michael Bedenbaugh, who was most recently President & CEO of Preservation South Carolina for over 14 years". ColdwellBankerHomes.com.
  7. Robertson, Mike (April 20, 2012). "College Receives Historic Preservation Award". The College Today. College of Charleston.
  8. Biles, Dede (December 28, 2017). "Preservation South Carolina plans to breathe new life into Plantation House hotel in Edgefield". Post and Courier.
  9. Christian, Matthew (September 28, 2022). "Three experts say Aiken would benefit from historic preservation". The Post and Courier.
  10. Donaghy, St Claire. "Restoration still a go: Trinity Episcopal in Abbeville to receive national grant". Index Journal.
  11. Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation recognize efforts to preserve pieces of past, June 14, 2014, retrieved June 28, 2023
  12. DOMINGUEZ, DAMIAN (January 23, 2024). "Bedenbaugh to run for 3rd District as Cash urges Jones to run". The Index-Journal. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
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