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Michael Bedenbaugh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michael Bedenbaugh
Personal details
Political partyAlliance
ProfessionReal estate

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]

Education

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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

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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

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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 was the Alliance Party nominee. Bedenbaugh was defeated by Republican nominee Sheri Biggs.[13]

References

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  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. ^ a b 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.
  13. ^ "Election Night Reporting". www.enr-scvotes.org. Retrieved November 8, 2024.