History of the Friends

Community Collaboration in Aiken

On November 24, 1970, in Aiken City Council chambers, Julian Salley, representing the Iselin estate, announced that Aiken had been chosen to receive the Iselin property, Hopelands. The community had mixed reactions, with concerns about maintenance costs and potential vagrants. To address these concerns, James D. McNair, President of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, Mayor H. Odell Weeks, and Julian B. Salley, Jr., initiated a private organization to work with the city on preserving and developing Hopelands. Sidney Davidson suggested this organization, advising them to seek guidance from Alfred E. Bissell, Treasurer of the Winterthur Museum.

The inaugural meeting of the Friends of Hopelands, Inc. occurred on March 19, 1971, where McNair explained Mrs. Iselin’s wishes and the city’s commitment to maintaining the property. The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution to charter Friends of Hopelands, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The initial leadership included McNair as President, Weeks as Vice President, Salley as Secretary, and Thomas F. Maurice as Treasurer, with various committee chairmen and trustees from the community.

Friends of Hopelands: Expanding Legacy with Rye Patch

The Friends of Hopelands dedicated themselves to preserving, maintaining, and developing Hopelands in collaboration with the city, raising funds, and providing advice. In 1981, Dorothy Knox Goodyear Rogers’ children donated her 10-acre Winter Colony estate, Rye Patch, to the city. Consequently, the organization’s name was changed to Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch, Inc. at their annual meeting in 1987.

The Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch's Ongoing Impact

Over the years, the Friends have contributed over $1.7 million (in today’s dollars) for the upkeep and enhancement of Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch. This funding comes from individual and organizational donations, along with grants from the Hope Goddard Iselin Foundation and the Mills Foundation. The organization has been led by 22 presidents (16 men and 6 women) and overseen by 40 trustees, including city officials and community leaders. An 11-person Executive Committee manages daily operations, with annual meetings held each March.

The Friends’ partnership with the city has enabled the community to maintain and enjoy these properties. In 1971, McNair encouraged members to actively promote Hopelands to ensure widespread support. This spirit of generosity and community involvement has persisted, allowing the Friends to honor the original wishes of Mrs. Iselin and Mrs. Rogers and continue their work over the past 50 years.