Former Aiken City Council member Jane Vaughters, who was an advocate for historical preservation in Aiken, was posthumously honored Sunday during the annual spring meeting of the Historic Aiken Foundation.
Vaughters received the Wilds/Lipe Preservation Leadership Award for Lifetime Achievement for her historical preservation efforts in Aiken. Her family accepted the award on her behalf.
“Having this come now is the hard part, but I am very glad to see her family is here to see her honored," Historic Aiken Foundation President Linda Johnson said.
According to her obituary, Jane Vaughters was involved in historical preservation and politics. She served many roles on the board for Preservation South Carolina and was a secretary for the Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch.
She also served as president of the Historic Aiken Foundation and the Aiken Civic Ballet.
She served on Aiken City Council for eight years.
Ray Vaughters said his wife would have been proud to receive the award.
Jane Vaughters' son, Ray Bauer Vaughters III, said he recalls his childhood touring courthouses and historic homes.
Johnson said at one time Vaughters became very concerned about the Aiken County Courthouse and spoke up for keeping it open and not letting it move to a different location. She was also instrumental in saving buildings in Aiken such as the post office on Laurens Street and The Willcox and protecting homes on Hayne Avenue.
Johnson said Vaughters' effort to preserve historic buildings did a lot for Aiken.
“She did so much for preservation, did so much for the Aiken community, and if anyone deserves a lifetime achievement award it’s Jane Vaughters," she said.
Other awards also were presented during the event and a lecture was given on Eulalie Chafee Salley. Salley had a key role in the women’s suffrage movement.
Architectural Heritage Award (restoration) was given to The Center for African American History, Art and Culture for its efforts in restoring the former Immanuel Institute.
The city of Aiken also received an Architectural Heritage Award (restoration) for a building at 111 Chesterfield St.
