Nestled at 560 North Academy Street in Greenville, the Kilgore‑Lewis House—originally known as the Josiah Kilgore House—is among the Upstate’s oldest and most cherished historic residences. Built around 1838, this vernacular Palladian‑inspired farmhouse features a stately pedimented portico supported by giant square posts and an oculus window beneath its gabled roof—a rare architectural statement in early Greenville.

Whether constructed by Josiah Kilgore himself or by the previous owner George Boyle, local lore supports Kilgore’s involvement in 1838. In 1855, he deeded the house to his daughter Mary Keziah and her husband John W. Stokes, reportedly delivering it as a wedding gift shortly after their marriage, likely solemnized in the home’s front parlor. For over a century, the house remained in family hands through the Kilgore, Stokes, Gaines, and Lewis generations. The succession of occupants gives the home its present name: the Kilgore‑Lewis House.

In the early 1970s, the house faced demolition when the neighboring Buncombe Street Methodist Church acquired its original lot. The Greenville Council of Garden Clubs stepped in, securing a 5‑acre parcel on Academy Street and spearheading a move in April 1974. Remarkably, not a single window cracked during the relocation.

Following the move, the house was meticulously restored, furnished with period antiques—including items donated by the Lewis descendants—then opened as a public heritage site and the official headquarters of the Greenville Council of Garden Clubs.

The property now functions as both a historic house museum and an accredited arboretum, open to the public for guided tours Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations are welcome to support ongoing maintenance. The 5‑acre grounds feature a restored spring dating to 1765, a scenic pond, a wildflower meadow, sensory garden with Braille plant descriptions, gazebo, bridge, and a diverse collection of native and ornamental species.

Each December, the home is transformed with festive decorations by local garden clubs—part of the celebrated “Gilded Age Christmas” holiday tour that draws the community with its historic charm and seasonal elegance.

Beyond tours, the Kilgore‑Lewis House is a cherished venue for weddings, receptions, corporate gatherings, and special events. Dubbed “Greenville’s most romantic house,” its historic architecture and lush grounds make it ideal for intimate celebrations—with capacity for up to 250 guests in the gardens. The Greenville Council of Garden Clubs manages all rentals and events in keeping with preservation-focused policies.

The Kilgore‑Lewis House seamlessly bridges Greenville’s 19th‑century roots and its present-day community spirit. A rare example of early Upcountry Palladian architecture, carried across town piece by piece in the 1970s to preserve its legacy—today it stands not only as a home preserved but as a living center of horticultural education, historic appreciation, and community celebration.