Where Memory, Art , & Legacy Come Together
Data Repository
Richland Cemetery Record Consolidation
Community Space
Collaboration for Free
Soundproof Box
Record Quality audio files
Memory Equipment
Video digitization
Photo digitization
The Situation
🔥 Decades ago, a fire destroyed burial records at Richland Cemetery including many military veterans.
The Problem
🗣️ No physical place exists to reflect, record, or reclaim that history.
The Solution
BOT’s Place will restore lost records, create a space for remembrance, and amplify the voices of the Greenville community while contributing to the cultural vitality. Â
Restore lost burial records - 🖥️ Genealogy Lab + Sound Booth
Create peace & remembrance - 🌿 Reflection Garden with symbolic plantings
Support young artists & families - 🎨 Legacy Gallery for Mildred’s youth art scholarship
Support volunteers - 🧤 Volunteer Hub for cemetery care & mapping
Enrich public history - 📍 Serve as anchor for Richland Cemetery Walking Tour
This community-led project will restore lost cemetery records, preserve oral history, uplift youth artists, and provide a peaceful garden and storytelling space for generations to come.
Location: At the gate of the Historic Richland Cemetery.
BOT’s Place is a vision for a sacred space dedicated to reflection, remembrance, and legacy building in honor of Ms. Mildred Louise Johnson Leatherwood Wolfe (1925–2024).
Ms. Mildred sold Life Insurance for the largest black insurance company, North Carolina Mutual. Her office was inside the iconic Working Benevolent Temple and Professional Building. She learned how to play tennis at the Phillis Wheatley Center situated between Dunbar and Burns Streets on East McBee.  And, Ms Mildred loved seeing all the best performers at the Liberty Theatre, her second job.
Image Source
Community & Education PartnersÂ
Descendants of Richland Cemetery Families — contributing oral histories, family records, and community knowledge to ensure accuracy and representation
Local Schools and Youth Art Programs — supporting art education, youth leadership development, and creative expression tied to history
University of South Carolina Upstate – History Department — supporting research, oral history preservation, and student engagement through internships and projects
Community-Based Organizations (churches, local nonprofits) — supporting outreach, volunteer engagement, and ongoing stewardship
Historical & Archival PartnersÂ
Hughes Main Library Memory Lab — providing digital archive tools and training for genealogical and family history preservation
South Carolina Historical Society — offering expertise and resources to support accurate documentation and preservation of local history
Greenville African American History Project — connecting cemetery restoration efforts to broader regional initiatives preserving African American heritage
Veteran & Military PartnersÂ
American Legion — supporting identification, recognition, and community engagement for veterans
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — assisting with veteran outreach and recognition efforts
Upstate Warrior Solution — connecting local veterans and families to the project and supporting engagement
South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs — providing state-level coordination and resources for veteran identification and recognition
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (as appropriate) — aligning with federal resources related to veteran records and burial recognition
Government & Civic PartnersÂ
City of Greenville Parks, Recreation & Tourism — integrating BOT’s Place into heritage tourism and community programming
Civic and Social Organizations (e.g., NAACP, Rotary Clubs) — supporting civic engagement, outreach, and volunteer mobilization
City of Greenville Cultural Affairs — supporting historical integrity, access to city resources, and cultural programmingÂ
Environment, Arts & Place-Based PartnersÂ
Greenville Master Gardeners — co-creating and maintaining the Green Room Garden as a space for reflection and remembrance
Greenville Urban Forestry Program — supporting long-term care of trees and green infrastructure
Local Artists and Art Collectives — creating installations, murals, and exhibits within the Legacy Gallery to honor history and inspire youth creativity