Our Mission

We are dedicated to reinvesting the inherent value of historic used building materials back into the well-being of our local communities; preserving the built environment's architectural and lived histories; and reviving traditional crafts and skills that build healthier relationships between People, Place, and Planet.

Our History

Conway Architectural Salvage and Heritage Project was incorporated as a nonprofit in August 2023. Our grassroots support has included:

• Guidance from leaders of local communities and nonprofits, such as the Whittemore Racepath Historical Society and CREATE! Conway Inc.
• Collaboration with the owner of the local historic McIver-Shaw Lumber Company located near downtown Conway
• Community fundraising efforts for the first deconstruction project
• Engagement of Coastal Carolina University students and faculty in salvage and reuse projects, such as art installations, community garden structures, and materials processing
• On-the-ground deconstruction training provided by Re:Purpose Savannah 

To date, this volunteer-powered community project has kept over 1200 tons of historic building materials out of landfills. This is only the beginning. With the acquisition of the historic Icehouse property, Conway Architectural Salvage and Heritage Project is now located adjacent to the local historic McIver-Shaw Lumber Company. Soon, both properties will be revived and open to the public to shop for salvaged materials, research local histories, learn traditional trade crafts, and cultivate a sustainable community garden.

Our Team

Alan Todd, Executive Director

After receiving his PhD in Religious Studies from Duke University in 2014, Alan moved to Conway to accept a teaching position at Coastal Carolina University. His background in archaeological work ultimately drove his interest in exploring Horry County’s historical buildings. He became passionate about preserving building materials and trade crafts that would otherwise be lost to demolition due to the area’s rapid population growth. Studying the economic model of deconstruction implemented in Savannah, Georgia and other preservation-focused cities, Alan learned how to successfully replicate deconstruction in Horry County and established the Conway Architectural Salvage and Heritage Project. His life’s work comes together in this project, saving old-growth lumber from the landfills, archiving the histories of family homes, and reviving traditional building crafts.

Sara Keever, Director of Operations

Sara's background has strong ties to education, having been a teacher and a librarian. She spent many years educating the local community and providing materials for people to learn practical life skills. Sara’s passion for Conway Salvage is in teaching the local community how to responsibly consume and reuse materials that most people would deem as trash. She hopes to provide a space for local artisans to hone their craft and create workshops to teach people new skills. In her spare time she is learning how to refurbish furniture.

Edwin McIver, Board Director

Edwin McIver is the son of E. R. "Rick" McIver, Jr., founder of McIver-Shaw Lumber Company. Edwin has spent his life at the lumberyard, with the exception of earning a B. S. in physics at The Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina. He returned to help run his father's business, becoming a master woodworker. The company closed its doors in 2006, largely due to competition from big box retail stores, but Edwin still visits the warehouse daily. He teaches the rest of us what his father passed to him.

LEARN MORE

Deconstruction and Reuse
​Gains Momentum Across the Nation

Why taking apart buildings piece by piece is a climate solution (National Public Radio)
Deconstruction, Salvage and Reuse Policies (Carbon Leadership Forum)
Treasure in the Walls: Reclaiming Value Through Material Reuse in San Antonio (PlaceEconomics)
Deconstruction and Building Material Reuse: A Tool for Local Governments (Delta Institute)