In 1986 the Saluda County council appointed the Saluda County Historical Commission, which in turn organized the Saluda County Historical Society. In 1987 the Society developed a constitution and bylaws and secured an eleemosynary state charter. Later it gained 501 (c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service.

In 1993 the membership voted to restructure the organization by having members elect an Executive Board to govern the Society.

Since its organization in 1987, the Saluda County Historical Society has become a vital part of the life of the community, and the people of the area have supported its goals and activities by joining the group and by contributing funds to projects which the Society has undertaken.

The Society's mission is to study, preserve, and make accessible the history of Saluda County, and to use that history as a basis for a better understanding of the present and as a means for shaping the future.

THE SOCIETY:

• Provides avenues to preserve and restore historic sites in Saluda County
• Provides opportunities for learning the history of the area
• Provides a cultural and activities center for public use
• Gives members a voice in local, state, regional, and national matters of historic significance
• Offers members opportunities for an exchange of ideas
• Provides a library of historical and genealogical material
• Gives local individuals opportunities to develop and use their talents for the good of the community
• Provides a museum for exhibiting Saluda County artifacts
• Provides opportunities for individuals to volunteer their time at the museum and in other work

ADMINISTRATION:

The Society meets each month (on the fourth Tuesday) at its Headquarters - the Saluda County Museum. Meetings vary from Programs based on various phases of the County's history, to Business Meetings, during which members vote on proposed projects and activities, and send requests to the Executive Board.

As the Society’s designated governing body, the Board meets at least once each quarter to consider all requests, as it conducts the business of the Society. The Board is composed of the Society’s officers, and twelve members elected by the Society’s membership.

Volunteers staff the Society’s headquarters at the Saluda County Museum as:

• an information center for archival records,
• a command post for society business, and
• a county museum where all exhibits are open to visitors.

The Museum's hours are: 10 am until 4 pm, Monday through Friday, and 10 am until 1 pm, on Saturdays.

NEWSLETTER:

Each member of the Society receives the Society's quarterly newsletter, News and Views – in January, April, July, and October. News and Views contains articles, news stories, letters, essays, dramas, historical documents, announcements about the activities of the Society, and a report from the quarterly Board meeting.