A small crowd excited about their heritage gathered behind the Beech Island Historical Society building Saturday.
It was time to unveil the restored barn on the property with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"The long-awaited dream of the renovation of our 1800s brick barn has finally become a reality," said Jackie Bartley, the president of the historical society.
In 1991, heirs of historical society member George McElmuray donated the barn to the organization.
In 2005, they were awarded a $200,000 Rural Business Enterprise grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program to renovate the barn.
The barn now holds some old farm equipment, reminders of the cotton trade and photos of life in rural areas.
The historical society is applying for a grant to help it design and plan exhibits.
Bartley said she hopes the barn will be open for tours five days a week early in 2009.
For more information, visit www.beech-islandhistory.org or call (803) 827-0184.
