SC Commissioner Hugh Weathers: Remembering Willie McRae

We’ve been focused on global events over the past few months, but today Commissioner Weathers is here to talk about a very personal story – the impact of one man on South Carolina.

• This week I want to honor the life and accomplishments of my friend Willie McRae, owner of Boone Hall Plantation in Mt. Pleasant, SC, who has passed away after a long battle with cancer

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  I recently had the privilege of seeing and honoring Willie a few months ago down at Boone Hall as he received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in the state

• Willie was a champion of South Carolina agriculture and had a life-long commitment to servicing our state
• Throughout his life, he was committed to protecting the vision that his parents had when they bought Boone Hall: to teach others about agriculture and history, provide produce for SC and to ensure the future of agriculture and farmland in the low country
• The McRae family has been welcoming the public into Boone Hall plantation since they purchased it in 1955, and recently Willie announced a 600-acre, $28.1 million conservation easement that will protect Boone Hall Plantation from development forever
• Willie didn’t think twice about using his own time and resources to protect his beloved Boone Hall Plantation, ensuring that generations to come have access to a working farm, historic teaching sites and a venue for community and personal events
• I want to personally extend condolences to his family and everyone affected by this tremendous loss. We will miss him dearly but will never forget the positive impact he has had on South Carolina agriculture and the state as a whole