Mission

Hagood Mill Foundation supports Hagood Mill, the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Center, and the educational and recreational activities that promote the preservation of upcountry life and culture.

Purpose

The purpose of these policies is to provide overall guidance and direction to staff, volunteers, and demonstrators involved with the Hagood Mill Historic Site. The Hagood Mill Foundation reserves the right to change any of these policies at any time. (Changes to or exceptions from these policies may only be granted by the Volunteer Coordinator and must be obtained in advance and in writing.)

Definition of a Volunteer and Demonstrator

A ‘volunteer’ is anyone who without compensation, or expectation of compensation beyond reimbursement, performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of the Hagood Mill.  Recognized ‘volunteers’ must be accepted and enrolled by the Hagood Mill prior to the performance of the task. Volunteers are not considered ‘employees’ of the Hagood Mill Foundation.

A ‘demonstrator’ is anyone who without compensation, or expectation of compensation beyond reimbursement, performs a traditional folk-art craft for the entertainment and education of site visitors.  Demonstrators are not considered ‘employees’ of the Hagood Mill Foundation.

Special Case Volunteers

The Hagood Mill also accepts as volunteers those participating in student community service activities, student intern projects, alternative sentencing or diversion programs, corporate volunteer programs, and other volunteer referral programs. In each of these cases, however, a special agreement must be in effect with the organization, school, or program from whom the special case volunteers originate and must identify responsibility for management and care of the volunteers.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Volunteers are asked to keep a log of their volunteer duties and submit their working hours at the end of each month.  If a volunteer is unable to fulfill a specific commitment with the Hagood Mill, please notify staff as soon as possible.

Volunteers should help maintain the natural beauty of the Hagood Mill Site.  Please remember we are a Nature Preserve as well as a National Registered Historic Site.  The flora and fauna in and around this site are important for our planet. Please pick up litter when noted, report full trash cans or bathrooms that need attention when noticed, and please report anything you feel might need special attention.    

Volunteers should familiarize themselves with basic mill site information such as the history, hours of operation, directions to the site, etc.  The FAQs page listed at the end of this document addresses some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the Hagood Mill Site.  For additional historical information about Hagood Mill, we recommend reviewing the book “Hagood Mill Historic Site: A History of a Place and Its People” which is available for purchase in the Mill Mercantile Shop. 

Volunteer Perks

On second and third Saturdays, volunteers that work a minimum of 4 hours will receive a complimentary lunch. Third Saturday volunteers who work 2-4 hours will receive free admission to the event.

Volunteers that work an average of 8 hours a month will be eligible to receive a 35% discount on venue rentals.  Volunteers MUST keep a monthly log of their hours and be with the organization for a minimum of 6 months in order to receive this special discount.

Representation of the Hagood Mill

Volunteers should present a clean, neat image to the public and understand that they represent the Hagood Mill to the public eye just as much as paid staff.  Please be helpful and enthusiastic with Hagood Mill patrons- you may be the last thing someone remembers about their Hagood Mill experience.

Demonstrators are encouraged to dress in period costume. If help is needed in acquiring costumes, please see the Assistant Director.

Demonstrators and volunteers are free to answer questions from the press as it has to do with their job or demonstrations. Prior approval should be obtained before a demonstrator or volunteer releases any information that might negatively impact, affect, or obligate the Hagood Mill Foundation, its staff, or its volunteers.  Such actions may include, but are not limited to, communications to the press, releasing statements or recaps of events, coalition or lobbying efforts with other organizations, or any agreements which may require contractual or other financial obligations from the foundation.

Confidentiality

Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer at the Hagood Mill Historic Site.

Reimbursement for Expenses

Volunteers will be eligible for reimbursement for purchased items that were pre-approved by the Site Director or Assistant Director.  An original receipt should be turned in to the Volunteer Coordinator, who will in turn submit the receipt with a check request to the foundation’s bookkeeper. 

Access to Hagood Mill Property and Materials

Volunteers shall have access to specific Hagood Mill property and materials which may be necessary to fulfill their duties.   Volunteers will receive training in the operation of any unfamiliar or specialized equipment which may be needed to fulfill their duties. Mill property and/or materials shall only be utilized when directly required for Hagood Mill purposes.

Insurance & Safety

Liability and accident insurance is provided for all volunteers engaged in Hagood Mill business while on site.   Any accident or injury should be reported immediately.  If you notice a safety hazard, please report it to your supervising staff right away.  Fire extinguishers are located in every structure and first aid kits can be found in the Mill and Visitor’s Center.  There is also an eye-wash station in the kitchen of the Visitor’s Center. 

SLED Checks

For the protection of our underage visitors and guests, volunteers in certain assignments may be asked to undergo a SLED check before approval will be given to assist with certain tasks. All paperwork for completing a SLED check and the report, will be kept in a locked room.  SLED checks will only be run by the Director or Assistant Director.

Lines of Communication

Volunteers will be provided with the necessary information pertinent to the performance of their work assignments.   Lines of communication should operate in both directions and should exist both formally and informally.

Volunteer Concerns

If a volunteer has a question or concern about their duties or assigned task, they should report to the Volunteer Coordinator.  If concerns should directly involve staff or other volunteers, they should report to the Site Director.   In the event that your concerns have not been addressed by the Site Director, then the volunteer should contact the Chair of the Hagood Mill Foundation Board.

Dismissal of a Volunteer

The Hagood Mill Foundation reserves the right to dismiss a volunteer at any time.

Termination of Service

The volunteer may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to sever the volunteer’s relationship with the Hagood Mill.  Notice of such a decision should be communicated as soon as possible in writing to the Volunteer Coordinator.

FAQs

What is the Hagood Mill’s mission?  Hagood Mill Historic Site is dedicated to the protection, preservation, and study of SC Upcountry life and culture.

Who owns and operates the Hagood Mill?  Hagood Mill is owned by the County of Pickens, SC.  It is managed and operated by the non-profit organization 501(c)3 Hagood Mill Foundation. 

How is the Hagood Mill Historic Site funded? A portion of the general operating costs are funded by Pickens County.  Additional financial support is provided by donations, grants, sales in the Mill Mercantile, and monies generated from public events, site rentals, tours, and workshops.

How big is the Hagood Mill site?  50+ acres.

What are the mill site’s hours of operation?  The buildings of the Hagood Mill Historic Site are open to the public Wednesday-Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm and Sundays, 1-4 pm.  Visitors can be on the grounds anytime during daylight hours. 

Can you rent the site for weddings, parties, or reunions? Yes, please refer questions to Hagood Mill staff.

How old is the mill and were those buildings originally here?  The current mill was built on this site in 1845 by James Hagood and donated to Pickens County in 1971, along with the 1918 barn and 11 acres.   All other buildings were relocated or added to the site since 1997 when the monthly operation of the mill began in conjunction with the Third Saturday Folklife Festivals. 

What is the significance of the dates affiliated with the Hagood Mill?

1792- Historical research has revealed that the earliest grist mill constructed on the property dates back to 1792.

1825- The Hagood family purchased the site in 1825.

1845- The Hagood family built the current mill in 1845.