Mayor Rick Danner helped kick off a year-long celebration in honor of Greer’s sesquicentennial on the first weekend of the new year.
The city is partnering with the Greer Heritage Museum for the Greer150 initiative throughout 2026. Mayor Danner joined director David Lovegrove on the steps in front of the museum on Saturday, January 3 to cut the ribbon officially opening all new exhibits that tell Greer’s story over the past 150 years.
Fifteen people voted to incorporate “Greer’s,” as it was originally called, in the spring of 1876. The Greer History Museum’s exhibits tell the story of how Scots-Irish settlers built farms near Cherokee land in what later became Greer. Exhibits highlight post-Revolution land grants and early Greer communities such as Pleasant Grove. A wall-sized display outlines the historical timeline of the Greer Depot, which played a key role in the development of our city.
The museum highlights the history of mills in the Greer community and show how textiles helped shape the city’s economy in the early days. A beautiful wall display honors the South Carolina Peach Festival which drew people to Greer from 1957-1967. Other exhibits highlight Greer’s entertainment history, resilience and renewal, and medical milestones.
Hundreds of people attended the Greer150 kickoff event at the museum on the first weekend of January 2026. The event featured live music, hands-on activities, a photo booth, and a new Greer150 merch store.
There’s much more in store to celebrate Greer150 in 2026. Visit the Greer150 page for a calendar of events, a quick history lesson, and ways you can get involved in the initiative. You can get your sesquicentennial merch online at Greer150.com.
Thanks to Hal Cook for providing wonderful photos from the even!