Friends of Mt. Zion Institute

See our new

 ANNOUNCEMENT

page and updated links!

Welcome to the homepage of the Friends of Mt. Zion Institute in Winnsboro, South Carolina.  Formed in April 2008, this group, quickly dubbed FOMZI, launched a dedicated effort to save our beloved school buildings from demolition planned for later that year.  

On a site whose use has been educational since 1777, these 1936 buildings have stood closed and silent since 1991.  FOMZI mounted an organized campaign of research into their suitability for renovation and potential uses for them. 

Aided by a primary benefactor and a town council willing to hear us out, we set about to establish not only the desirability of saving them but the feasibility as well.  The result was conclusive ... the buildings were most certainly salvageable and there was much interest in seeing it happen.

This web page became our story board; and Fairfield County residents, former MZI students, plus many with simply an interest in history and restoration projects have followed the effort on behalf of Mt. Zion.

Nearly two years later, we're on the brink of seeing work begin on a facility that will be what we envisioned:  a testament to the educational uses that came before it and an on-going benefit to the whole community.

The Friends of Mt. Zion Institute are grateful to have played a part in that and invite you to continue to check in with us for updated photos and progress reports.

Updated 5/6/2010

New Info on Announcement (scroll to bottom), Link and Photo Pages!

We'll be adding pages as we go along ... check back often as we share photos, articles, and progress.  Be sure to fill out our contact page.

New Links on Link Page

click here to read 2008, 2009 and 2010 articles on Mt. Zion from the Herald Independent in Winnsboro

      Mt. Zion 1860 ..... burned 1866

                              1880's

                        Built 1936

 The Future?