The Dawkins House, used as a refuge for the Palmetto State government in 1865 when Columbia was burned and its capital building destroyed, will now be restored to its former glory, an official with the Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation says.

This week, Peter Triggiani, an experienced historic preservationist bought the house for $1 from the trust and the Union/Laurens Commission on Higher Education.

“We are honored to be a part of this landmark project,” said Michael Bedenbaugh, executive director for the Palmetto Trust. “the Dawkins House is a treasure trove of architectural history. Each time we visit, we find something new. During our last visit, we discovered ceiling joist beams in the back of the house that could date back as far as the 18th century.”

The Dawkins House originally was donated to the university by Union businessman Tommy Simmons. School officials had hoped the house could be restored into office space but budget restraints halted the plans. Bedenbaugh said when the Palmetto Trust was invited to get involved with the house in the late summer months of 2008, the structure was in much need of stabilization and repair.

Col. William Whitener, chairman emeritus for the Union/Laurens Commission on Higher Education, said he is personally grateful to the Palmetto Trust for their role in the release of the house to those who will restore it and preserve its history.

“This is a great day for USC-Union, our Commission, the Palmetto Trust and the citizens of our great state,” Whitener said.

Bedenbaugh said that during the past year, the Palmetto Trust has helped to secure a matching grant for the Dawkins House from the National Trust. The money was used for an engineering survey and a materials assessment to determine the restorability of the termite damaged structure.

“We are excited that Mr. Triggiani has taken on the mission of preserving this magnificent piece of history for future generations to enjoy,” Bedenbaugh said.

Triggiani, the former chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission in North Carolina, found the house through the Palmetto Trust’s web site and plans to do most of the restoration work himself. He has restored four other historic properties in the region.

“Here was this old home, that had the distinction of housing one of South Carolina’s three capitals and not many people in the area were even aware that it existed,” Triggiani said. “i am honored to be a part of restoring the recognition that this house deserves.”

The Dawkins House, which has been on the National Register since 1974, was sold to Triggiani under easement. This easement requires the new owner to follow very strict restoration agreements and covenants to completely restore the house within three years and then maintain it to the highest standards of the Secretary of Interior’s Guidelines for the rehabilitation of historic homes.

Speaking on behalf of the Union/Laurens Commission for Higher Education and USC-Union, Dean Dr. Hugh Rowland thanked Whitener, the Palmetto Trust and others who made the agreement possible.

“We should all celebrate when we can preserve important parts of our country’s history for future generations,” he said.

The house became the temporary capital in February of 1865.

An Union Army, led by Gen. William T. Sherman was closing in on Columbia and soon would set matches to South Carolina’s capitol city.

Gov. Andrew Gordon McGrath contacted an old college classmate, legislator and judge Thomas N. Dawkins, and they discussed moving the capitol to Union.

Sometime around Feb. 15, two days before Columbia went up in flames, the center of government with its records, office holders and supporting workers, moved to Dawkins’ home in Union, “The Shrubs,” which was built in 1845. This gave the house the distinction of being South Carolina’s last capitol as a member of the Confederate States of America.

In 2008, The Progress Club of Union mounted a drive to save the house and helped bring together the Union/Laurens Commission for Higher Education and the Palmetto Trust. Steve Blackwell with the Progress Club said members are happy the house has another chance.

“We are tickled to death it’s been approved,” Blackwell said.

Blackwell said the house could be a centerpiece of downtown Union and a real tourism draw. He said he and other club members have found many in Union don’t know the historic significance of the house.