Current Projects
The Historical Society has several currently active fundraising campaigns. We rely heavily upon generous contributions from patrons like you to achieve our mission, and as a 501(c)(3) charity, your contributions are tax deductible. We invite you to review the following active projects. Because our organization is made up of volunteers, one hundred percent of your contribution will go toward your choosen project. Greene County Historical Society partners with Zeffy, a fundraising platform designed exclusively for nonprofits with no charges for platform, transaction, or credit card fees. Instead of charging charities, Zeffy will prompt donors to leave an optional voluntary contribution or tip to support their operational costs; you may choose among several suggested tips that will go toward Zeffy to help keep the platform free for non-profits, or select Other to enter $0 or a non-prompted amount.
We would also encourage you to consider joining our historical society today and becoming an active guardian of our county’s rich heritage! As a 100% volunteer-led organization, we rely on dedicated neighbors like you to keep our history alive through preservation, education, and community engagement. For just $30 a year, your annual membership dues directly fund local preservation projects and historical showcases. Best of all, as a member, you will have a direct voice and vote in prioritizing our society’s upcoming activities and events. Whether you are a lifelong resident, a genealogy buff, or simply curious about our local roots, your membership helps ensure that our past is preserved to inspire future generations—join us today to help shape the future of our history!
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES SECURELY ONLINE
As early as 1846, two years before the first women’s rights convention in America at Seneca Falls, NY, this academy had been established where women could pursue the study of Latin, French, and art through its academic department. In 1889, the Mesopotamia Female Seminary was disassembled and moved to a central location in Eutaw at the corner of Wilson Avenue and Main Street, where it continued to serve as an educational center for females. The building still stands there today.The building subsequently served as an extension campus for Miles College, an HBCU, in Eutaw. This building stands as a progressive educational icon for gender and racial equality in America.
Having sat vacant for a few decades, the building is in peril. Please help us stabilize the structure, restore its historical features, and save this national treasure of the equal rights movement. Included among the pictures is an AI-enhanced view of what the building may look like after it is restored. By giving today, you will help the Greene County Historical Society keep this landmark standing.
Ebenezer Presbyterian Church is located in a beautiful grove about one half mile northwest of the town of Clinton. When established in 1828, the church met in a log cabin almost one mile northwest of where the church currently stands. The church’s first pastor, Rev. John H. Gray was noted as being a greatly inspired and captivating preacher. During his tenure, which lasted until 1836, the church grew considerably. In 1832, the log building was found to be inadequate for the growing church body and a 40 by 50-foot building was erected on the church’s current site. By 1859, the church had again outgrown the building. The congregation commissioned its third and present building at a cost of $3,800. It is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture.
Apart from the addition of plumbing and wiring, the building stands today much as it did when it was originally built. The flooring is of old wide-board, heart-pine wood. The interior doors are made of pine with a feather grained finish. The downstairs area seats approximately 200 people. The church still has its original pews made of solid pine boards. The balcony gallery is unique in that it is a U-shaped structure built across the back and each side of the interior. There are 10 windows each containing 3 sashes with nine panes in each section. Large single piece exterior shutters with adjustable louvers cover each window to let in air and light.
Adjacent to the church is a cemetery that has served the Clinton community since its beginning. It is believed to be the third oldest cemetery in the county with a large number of Confederate soldiers buried at the site. Graves of colonial era settlers, British citizens, and Revolutionary War veterans have been found. The earliest birthdate of persons buried in the cemetery is 1755, twenty years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Unfortunately, one of the sill girder beams supporting the west wall has rotted endangering the structural integrity of the building. As a result, the floor along that side of the church has dropped almost 4 inches. Funds donated toward this project will go toward repairing the sill beam, the brick column upon which the beam sits, and flooring.
