New group Save Historic Aiken supports preservation with an equine focus
Aug. 18—Preserving the Aiken area's long-standing reputation as a haven for horses is the mission of a new group.
"We want to protect our way of life," said Lisa Smith on Thursday morning following the first meeting of Save Historic Aiken, which was held at the Track Kitchen.
Smith, who breeds Dutch Warmbloods, organized the gathering and led the discussion.
"We're concerned about the unprecedented construction that is going on all around us, Project Pascalis and the City of Aiken's stance on development," she said. "Project Pascalis is only the tip of the iceberg. It's a wake-up call. There are big visions for our city to become more modern, but we're more interested in preservation. Progress through preservation is our motto."
Twenty or so people attended the meeting.
"There was a high level of energy and enthusiasm," Smith said. "I think we're setting up a framework to have an organization that is going to be effective. We had lots of ideas."
Mentioned were the need to raise awareness locally about the horse community's issues regarding real estate development and the possibility of becoming a tax-exempt organization.
Attendees also expressed the desire to work closely with other preservation groups.
In addition, the group said that reaching out to horse-related businesses and young horse enthusiasts to get them involved in Save Historic Aiken's efforts was important.
"We may change our name because it doesn't say anything about horses, and this is a horse group," Smith said.
Margaret Wakefield, who was among the participants in Thursday's meeting, is passionate about Save Historic Aiken's purpose.
She owns Akhal-Teke horses, which are known for their speed and endurance, intelligence and the metallic sheen of their coats.
"I've seen what has happened in other rural counties, and I don't want that to happen here," she said. "I moved to Aiken for the horses. I'm not going let anyone take this away."
For more information, visit the Save Historic Aiken page on Facebook.
Plans call for the organization to meet on a weekly basis to begin with, Smith said.
Smith serves on the board of directors of the Do It Right Alliance, which also is known as Do It Right! She also is an Historic Aiken Foundation board member.
Both the foundation and Do It Right! are opponents of Project Pascalis, the City of Aiken's downtown redevelopment effort.
