Westminster Area Historic Preservation Society (WAHPS)

WAHPS decided to purchase the contents of the England Store, in early 2007, when they learned that the contents of the store could be sold to a production company that would use the contents for props in movies.  WAHPS decided that could not happen and purchased the contents of the store in order to preserve it's history.

England's Store Preserved 

The contents of the building on Westminster's Main Street known for the past 99 years as "England's Store" are being preserved. The contents were purchased by a new non-profit organization: the Westminster Area Historic Preservation Society (WAHPS). The contents were then donated to the Oconee Heritage Center. Since that time, the thousands of items that fill the store have undergone extensive photographing and cataloguing.

Many options were considered when deciding the future of the contents. On Sunday, March 11, 2007, the items were moved from the store to the Oconee Heritage Center in Walhalla where they are now protected against fire and theft. Future plans for the artifacts include a display of the artifacts in a satellite museum of the Oconee Heritage Center located in Westminster. "We are pleased to be partnering with the new Historic Preservation Society in preserving Westminster history," said Nick Gambrell, former Director and Curator of the Oconee Heritage Center. "Together we have taken on a project that fulfills the mission of both organizations. The society has used the Heritage Center for the very purpose for which it was created: as a repository of artifacts. We hope that in the near future, many of these artifacts can be returned to a safe, satellite location in Westminster."

The set of buildings which now includes "It's Made For You," "England's General Merchandise," and "Foothills Family Medicine" was built in 1908. Over the years, the store evolved into a collection of merchandise spanning the entire twentieth century. The store is lined with shelves from floor to ceiling with counters and displays cases- all filled with old merchandise.

The England Store Merchandise


The England Store Today

General Store Museum Now Open

Westminster’s branch of Oconee Heritage Center located at 126 E Main Street recently received a facelift. Students from the Hamilton Career Center worked to repair leaks in the roof. Michael Willimon, Wiley Certain and Will Sandifer painted the front and back of the building. Trehel Construction was commissioned to install the new rear deck, heating and air-conditioning, as well as a sprinkler system. Stephen Morrison of MoreSun Custom Woodwork has beautifully restored a cabinet from the former England's Store to be used in the museum. The Westminster Area Historic Preservation Society (WAHPS) is working with the Oconee Heritage Center (OHC) on the museum. Both groups have received several grants and had many fundraisers to help with the necessary renovations.

The building has been renovated and as of September 8, 2011, is officially open to the public. A portion of the merchandise obtained from the England's General Store is now on exhibit. OHC Director and Curator, Leslie White has been hard at work in the past few months making sure the museum was open to the public as soon as possible. Good work, Leslie! And thanks to ALL of those who participated in renovating and remodeling the building to its current state. It it truly beautiful!

Satellite Museum in Westminster

Lee and Joyce Barrett of Westminster have ensured that people will have a place to preserve and learn about Westminster’s history. The building located at 126 Main Street in Westminster has been donated to the Oconee Heritage Center to serve as a satellite museum of the OHC. Donated in memory of their fathers, Johnny D. Jones and Charles G. Barrett, the building will become the home of the contents of the England's General Merchandise Store along with other Westminster exhibits.

“We are so happy to be able to do this to honor both of our fathers and their love for Westminster,” says Joyce Barrett. Both Joyce’s father, Johnny D. Jones, and Lee’s father, Charles G. Barrett, previously owned the building which was donated. The announcement was made beginning at the Pavilion on Main Street in Westminster on January 3, 2008. Everyone who attended the meeting was then given the opportunity to view inside the “Barrett-Jones Building.” Reflecting back on his father and father-in-law, Lee Barrett remarked, “Our aim is for the vision of our fathers to be realized. Johnny’s vision was progress and Charles’ vision was preservation. With this donation, we feel that the OHC can fulfill both of these visions.”

This particular building on Main Street was built prior to 1898 and still maintains a lot of its original character with approximately 2,500 square feet of space. Over the years, the building has served as home to “The Bargain Store,” “Plunder Junction,” a video store, antique shop, flower shop and a law firm.

These remarks were given by former OHC Director and Curator, Nicholas Gambrell. “We look forward to exploring the best uses of this building for Westminster and all of Oconee County.”

The Barrett-Jones Building