Tour of Homes

212 E. Jefferson St. - York Graded School/McCelvey Center

In 1856, under the auspices of Bethel Presbytery, the Yorkville Female College and Institute opened, occupying the site of the present community center. The college was closed during the Civil War, and the building was rented as housing to refugees who had fled the war in Charleston and the lower part of the state. Legislation by the state of South Carolina in 1888 established a system of free schools. The building was purchased by the Town of Yorkville to house what became the second public graded school system in the state. The building burned in the early 1900s and a new school was constructed, circa 1903, on the stone foundation of the original building. The building was integrated into the design of the present building, which was constructed in 1922. Later known as the York Graded School, the building was renamed McCelvey Elementary School in honor of George C. McCelvey, who served as principal from 1912 to 1948.

In 1988 the building was deeded to the citizens of York as a community center. It has an excellent 580-seat auditorium and houses the Historical Center of York County and a number of offices for civic and service groups. Its reception rooms and galleries are used for conventions, dinners, and meetings.

College and East Jefferson Streets