Upcountry History Museum

10/14/2026

Sending love to Stacy Pearsall as her sweet boy Charlie passed away yesterday morning. Here's Charlie visiting Greenville and taking a closer look at his mom's work in "Hard Earned," a stunning photography exhibition featured at the Museum in 2023.

10/14/2026

For lifelong residents and newcomers alike, the name “Heller” is woven into the history and present-day charm of Greenville. Stroll down Main Street beneath its canopy of trees, through its green spaces and past its public art, and you’ll eventually arrive at Heritage Green, the heart of Greenville’s cultural campus. Each of these places are the lasting vision of former Mayor Max Heller—and offers a glimpse into the mark he and his wife, Trude, left on the city they came to call home.

Opening Saturday, the semi-permanent exhibition, Max and Trude Heller: A Story of Courage, Community, and Coming Home, explores the extraordinary lives of the Hellers and the enduring legacy they built in Greenville – one their family continues to carry forward today.

Over the next few weeks, via social media, we’ll share stories from Max and Trude’s childhood in Austria, their escape from N**i persecution, and the remarkable journey that transformed a place of refuge into a place they called home.

Until then, visit the Upcountry History Museum and explore this exhibition in-person and uncover the incredibly detailed history of Max and Trude Heller.

City of Greenville, South Carolina Government | VisitGreenville SC | GVLtoday | Greenville Journal | The Greenville News | WYFF News 4 | Fox Carolina News | WSPA 7News | Sigal Music Museum | Greenville County Library System | Greenville Theatre | Greenville County Museum of Art | The Children's Museum of the Upstate

The new exhibit at the Upcountry History Museum will bring together artifacts to honor and tell the story of the Hellers and their dedication to public service.

10/13/2026

At the Upcountry History Museum, we are joining the celebration with Greenville County Schools as they are Reaching Higher levels of achievement! Greenville County Schools has announced it is one of the first school districts in South Carolina to reach the 90-90-90 milestone of surpassing 90% in all three of these major achievement areas on the State Report Card: For the second year in a row, the graduation rate has surpassed 90% now reaching 92.2% for the Class of 2026, 90.5% of the Class of 2026 graduated college- or career-ready, and 98.9% of GCS schools were rated excellent, good, or average. What an accomplishment! To learn more about the celebration, visit GCS’s website.

https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/News/main.asp?titleid=2610gradrate

10/13/2026

Join us this weekend for the opening of Max and Trude Heller: A Story of Courage, Community, and Coming Home!

10/06/2026

Give this photo a caption!

10/04/2026

The Museum is open 1:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m. with free parking accessible from Atwood Street!

Share this weekend's "code word" AMERICANA when you purchase admission at the front desk for a $2.00 discount.

10/03/2026

Born in Anderson in 1925, Fredda Louise Acker (Thompson) was a professional baseball player, joining the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1947. Her father worked for a local textile mill, most likely the Anderson Cotton Mills, and was always encouraging Fredda and her siblings to participate in different sports.

After high school graduation, in 1944, Fredda married John Lewis Acker. In November 1946, Fredda was named Mrs. America 1947. She was actually the "replacement" winner for Janice Po***ck, who had to turn down the win due to her husband's disapproval of the six-month country-wide tour that accompanied the beauty pageant title and crown.

For the first AAGPBL spring training, which actually took place in Havana, Cuba, Fredda was hired by the league to assist in a charm school and fashion show. After spring training, Fredda was assigned to the South Bend Blue Sox and joined her older sister, Viola Thompson, the team's pitcher. Fredda never appeared in a game during the regular season, playing more of a role of publicity for the team and assisting with the behind-the-scenes teaching of "etiquette" for women baseball players.

Stay tuned as we explore the role of Fredda's sister, Viola, the left-handed pitcher with a brief but solid career for the AAGPBL or drop by the Museum and see it all for yourself as the Museum hosts Picturing America's Pastime, which also includes a heavy focus on Upcountry baseball!

10/02/2026

With a weekend forecast of rain, plan a visit to the Museum and use "code word" AMERICANA at the front desk for a $2.00 admission discount!

09/23/2026

Yesterday we spent the day at Erskine College for their Career Fair and it couldn’t have been more perfect (except for our wrinkled table runner).

The students were great, the Erskine staff were top notch, and being surrounded by stunning artwork, David Drake pottery, and the words of Greenville Poet Laureate, Glenis Redmond, you couldn’t ask for better!

09/18/2026

For over 15 years, Jean Evans has been a cornerstone of the Upcountry History Museum. If you've been to the Museum, you've probably been greeted by Jean. She's one of our absolute favorites.

It wasn't long ago that we shared that Jean's husband was suddenly diagnosed with a vestibular brain tumor. Everyone's generous support has been a true blessing for Jean and Pavle. Next week, Pavle will undergo his 8-hour surgery. Your kind words and donations have helped cover most of the upfront costs for his surgery. Saying "thank you" doesn't begin to cover the amount of gratitude that is felt by Jean and Pavle.

So, if you visit the Museum this weekend, let Jean know you're thinking of her and let's send her off with as many well wishes as possible!

https://gofund.me/3cea65010