Buying a new home is a big deal. For many homeowners, it's one of the most important decisions they ever make. When it comes to such a substantial choice, there are a lot of factors to consider, like:
Getting the answers to those questions can be hard but finding a trustworthy manufactured home company can be even more challenging. Sure, you could settle for a fly-by-night company or a shady mobile home dealer. But if you're like most folks, you want to work with a reliable company that has been in business for years. You need a team of professionals who can answer your questions, address your concerns, and sell you a quality home that will keep your family safe and sound.
Welcome to Ken-Co Homes Inc. - your premier choice for mobile home sales in Gresham, SC. Ken-Co Homes has been Lake City's go-to manufactured home since 1974. With several locations in South Carolina, we're the first choice for manufactured homes in the state. As longtime locals in the community, we pride ourselves on honesty, hard work, and running a manufactured home business that you can count on.
There's no secret sauce that makes Ken-Co Homes successful. We work hard, sell the finest Clayton, Destiny, Scotbilt, Homes, and treat our customers like we would like to be treated. That's why, when you meet our team for your home tour, you'll be treated with respect and greeted with a warm smile. Whether you have questions regarding financing or the fit and finish of a floorplan, we'll maintain that same level of kindness, courtesy, and honesty. That way, you know for sure that you have invested in a top-notch manufactured home that your family will love.
Unlike other manufactured home dealers, we have a full selection of Clayton Homes for sale with attractive floor plans to fit your unique lifestyle. When you choose Ken-Co Homes, you're also choosing:
We offer our valued customers a $500 guarantee that we will meet or beat ANY competitor who has a lower price on one of our homes with the same options. Don't believe us? Contact our office today!
With decades of combined experience, our team has the tools and know-how to make your buying process smooth and stress-free.
Buying a home can be challenging, especially with travel logistics and other factors at play. Our team can help answer any questions you have about buying a home and transporting it to a park or piece of private land.
When you buy from Ken-Co Homes, you're investing in a high-quality product that your family will love for years to come. With more than a dozen home choices, you're sure to find a new home that matches your lifestyle.
We'll work with you one-on-one to ensure you get the home of your dreams. If you have questions or concerns once you move in, give us a call - we're here to help.
We offer detail-oriented, experienced set-up crews that make living life in your new home easy and efficient.
At Ken-Co Homes, we offer flexible financing options to help make buying your dream home a reality.
Whether you're looking for a smaller two-bedroom manufactured home or a large, luxurious four-bedroom manufactured home, our friendly consultants are ready to help you build the home of your dreams.
"Is there a difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home?" is one of the most common questions we get online and in person. Today, many people use mobile home and manufactured home interchangeably. That's understandable because both types of homes share similar features and benefits for homeowners. However, understanding the minor differences can be valuable when searching for a new place to call home.
Unlike site-built homes, manufactured homes are built in a factory. Once completed, they're shipped to a specific location where the homeowner will live. The term "manufactured home" refers to any factory-built home constructed after June 15, 1976. That date is when the HUD or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented guidelines centered around manufactured home construction.
HUD code requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a base frame with wheels with a minimum of 320 square feet.
Thanks to fast build times and lower material costs, manufactured homes for sale in Gresham, SC is often more cost-effective for home buyers. Compared to traditional site-built homes, many manufactured homes can be up to 35% less than more traditional houses.
Any mobile homes built after June 15, 1976, are considered manufactured homes today, though many people use the term mobile home casually. In the past, these homes were used to travel and were more like the expensive RVs that people use today than true manufactured homes. Back then, mobile homes received a bad reputation due to poor build quality, but they've come a long way since that time. Today, mobile homes are safe, comfortable, and structurally sound, with many types of amenities and floor plans.
Manufactured homes are more popular in the U.S. than ever, and for good reason: prospective homeowners are looking for affordable, quality alternatives to traditional homes. That's especially true today, with inflation on the rise, necessitating more budget-friendly options for anyone who wants to put a roof over their heads.
If you're used to living in a traditional, site-built home, you may be wondering what the advantages are of buying a manufactured home. Here are just a few of the most common benefits of buying a manufactured home:
When you boil it down to the basics, buying a new home is all about the money. One of the most attractive reasons for buying a manufactured home is that they are often much less expensive than traditional site-built homes. Today, manufactured housing is considered a crucial part of the housing shortage solution and a viable option with inflation rising. According to statistics, the average square-foot cost of a site-built home is $107, while the average price is only $49 in a manufactured home. Whether you're sticking to a strict budget or your finances have changed due to poor economic conditions, going manufactured might be your best choice.
Owning a manufactured home gives the homeowner long-term living options. Because basic manufactured homes are usually very affordable, families with enough land can start with a small home and add additional units as their needs change. Manufactured homes are also great as starter homes, especially for families that plan on building a permanent structure on their land in the future. Though it could be logistically challenging, manufactured homes can also be moved to a different site if the initial one was on rented property.
Manufactured homes have received a bad rap over the last few decades. In reality, most manufactured homes are purpose-built for longevity with structural integrity. Every manufactured home built today is subject to the HUD code adopted in 1976. This code is the only federally-mandated code in existence. It was designed to ensure that manufactured homes meet strict standards regarding fire safety, structural design, energy efficiency, transportation to home sites, and overall construction. All manufactured homes sold in the U.S. have a permanent red seal to confirm they meet HUD standards.
When you buy a manufactured home, you may be able to move in faster than you would via traditional routes. Some manufactured homes are even move-in ready in less than 45 days. Compared to a traditional home, once a new manufactured home is built in the factory, buyers usually find that installation is a quick process. Once the manufactured home is delivered, utility work usually moves quickly, regardless of whether you're moving to a park or transporting your home to a piece of land. Before you know it, you're eating, sleeping, and enjoying life in your new manufactured home.
When asked about the pros and cons, many buyers cite energy efficiency as one of the most significant benefits of owning a manufactured home. In general, manufactured housing is more energy efficient than traditional because HUD mandates ensure that homes have high energy efficiency ratings.
These ratings are achieved through upgraded insulation installation, on-demand water heaters, and energy-efficient windows. These upgrades often make entire manufactured homes Energy Star certified. It's no surprise that manufactured homes are 27% more efficient than they used to be with other additions like energy-saving appliances in kitchens and bathrooms.
If you've ever lived in an apartment complex before, chances are you heard sounds and noises through your walls that you never wanted to hear. If you hate hearing your neighbors and despise thin walls, looking for mobile home sales in Gresham, SC is a great idea. Why? Manufactured homes are typically built using separate modules, which reduces sound transference from room to room. When two or more modules are combined and insulated separately, buyers enjoy an even quieter, stronger home with less outside noise.
If there's one disappointing aspect of manufactured homes, the stigma seems to surround them. Yes, mobile homes from 30 or more years ago aren't exactly marvels of construction and deserve to be criticized. However, modern manufactured homes are cut from a different cloth and are often every bit as safe and luxurious as site-built homes.
Here are some of the most common (and annoying) mobile home myths debunked:
Modern manufactured homes are factory-built homes crafted with quality materials that meet comprehensive federal construction and safety standards. These standards, called the "HUD Code," outline how the homes must be built, including safety guidelines. For example, manufactured home builders must take strict measures to ensure their homes are resistant to wind. In terms of hurricanes and tornados, having such measures in place can prevent a tragedy from happening.
The bottom line is that manufactured homes are plenty safe and provide a quality product to people who want a lower-cost option over traditional housing.
One of the most repeated myths surrounding manufactured homes is that they are in poor shape and have an overall poor quality. Today, many manufactured homes are built with quality materials and care. It's not unusual to find a manufactured home with luxurious amenities and features lie state-of-the-art kitchens, high-end appliances, and chic open floor plans. At Ken-Co Homes, we can provide you with a complete list of available upgrades and amenities for you to enjoy in your new home.
Perhaps it's due to their popularity and lower prices, but we often hear that it's hard to find manufactured homes for sale. As seasoned home dealers, we can say this is categorically false. Whether you head over to Google and search for "mobile homes near me in Gresham, SC," or simply head to Ken-Co Homes' website, you'll see plenty of homes to choose from. Contact our office today for a full list of our homes for sale!
When it comes to home prices in today's day and age, manufactured homes are among the most affordable options available.
That's because manufactured homes cost less to construct than site-built homes, with the average price costing $92K for new construction and $60K for a pre-owned manufactured home, according to recent data. The cost of a traditional home is much higher, with an average of $408K, according to Statista data from 2021. Even though manufactured home living costs change depending on the community, they're often much less expensive than their site-built cousins in the long run.
This myth parallels the stereotype that manufactured homes are cheap and poorly built. Unfortunately, many people still believe that living in a manufactured home community isn't safe. They think that the parks are run down and riddled with reprobates. In reality, many manufactured home parks mimic gated communities with 24-hour security and mandated quiet hours. Some manufactured home neighborhoods even offer community-wide amenities like spas and pools. If you're a fan of the gated community lifestyle but don't want to pay hundreds of thousands for a site-built home, a manufactured home community could be your best bet.
Are you giving serious thought to buying a manufactured home for sale in South Carolina? You're not alone - more than 365K people in the Palmetto State live in manufactured homes. At Ken-Co Homes Inc., we're not your average run-of-the-mill manufactured home dealer. We only do business with manufacturing partners committed to building top-quality products that our customers are proud to own.
If you're looking for modern amenities, energy-efficient appliances, unique floorplans, and homes constructed with quality materials, Ken-Co Homes is the company for you. Contact our office today to learn more about our beautiful Clayton homes for sale in Gresham, SC.
Columbia, South Carolina-based Capital Waste Services, a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries LLC, has acquired Sandlands C&D Landfill in Gresham, South Carolina.“The CWS family is happy to welcome another talented team into this rapidly growing platform,” says Matt Parker, CEO of CWS.” The opportunity to add another disposal outlet to our already vertically integrated operations in South Carolina further strengthens our position in our core geography. We are eager to work together to not only meet but exce...
Columbia, South Carolina-based Capital Waste Services, a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries LLC, has acquired Sandlands C&D Landfill in Gresham, South Carolina.
“The CWS family is happy to welcome another talented team into this rapidly growing platform,” says Matt Parker, CEO of CWS.” The opportunity to add another disposal outlet to our already vertically integrated operations in South Carolina further strengthens our position in our core geography. We are eager to work together to not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations and foster a culture of quality service.”
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In its 85 years in business, Gaeta Recycling has operated a lot of machines. Michael Portannese is the fifth generation of his family to lead the company. Serving 30 municipalities in central New Jersey, Gaeta Recycling processes upwards of 720 tons of waste material per day. Moving material is at the heart of his business and, over the years, he has watched loading equipment become increasingly sophisticated and complex. But for his most recent purchase, Portannese was ready to try a different approach.
According to a news release from Kinderhook, Sandlands is a class II construction and demolition landfill and roll-off hauling company. Additionally, the company has two transfer station assets, an operational site located next to the landfill and an in-development site in North Carolina.
Related: Capital Waste acquires two waste operations in Tennessee
“The company represents a well-positioned asset sitting in a desirable geography for our growing platform,” says Rob Michalik, managing director of Kinderhook. “The site provides CWS a desirable base to further expand collection efforts in the region and continue to deliver best-in-class service.”
This acquisition represents Capital Waste’s 10th add-on acquisition and Kinderhook’s 90th environmental/business services transaction since its inception.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP served as legal counsel to Capital Waste. A financing syndicate led by Comerica Bank and includes MUFG Bank, Webster Bank and Fifth Third provided debt financing for the transactions. HamptonRock Partners and BakerHostetler served as financial advisers and legal counsel to Sandlands.
Construction & Demolition Recycling has reached out to Kinderhook for further comment.
Charleston County Councilwoman Anna Johnson grew up in rural James Island during the 1950s and ’60s, a time when South Carolina schools were on the brink of integration.Like others on the island, Johnson attended W. Gresham Meggett High School, the only school for black children. She graduated in 1966 and went on to pursue a political career.“I never dreamt of becoming a politician,” Johnson said at a gathering of Gresham Meggett alumni on Sunday.As part of a federally funded effort to document African-...
Charleston County Councilwoman Anna Johnson grew up in rural James Island during the 1950s and ’60s, a time when South Carolina schools were on the brink of integration.
Like others on the island, Johnson attended W. Gresham Meggett High School, the only school for black children. She graduated in 1966 and went on to pursue a political career.
“I never dreamt of becoming a politician,” Johnson said at a gathering of Gresham Meggett alumni on Sunday.
As part of a federally funded effort to document African-American history and the civil rights movement across the country, the Charleston County Zoning and Planning Department and researchers from New South Associates LLC will document the memories of the students who attended W. Gresham Meggett High School.
The school was one of several South Carolina equalization schools created in 1951 from state funding for “separate but equal” education. It was James Island’s only school for black children and provided K-12 education from 1953 to 1966. The school was named for W. Gresham Meggett (1903–1990), a former chair of the James Island School Board. In 1994, the Septima P. Clark Corporate Academy vocational school moved to the campus.
On Sunday, Johnson encouraged her peers to participate in the study, titled “A Journey to Equal Education: Stories from Historic African-American Communities.” The oral histories would be a gift to future generations of African-American students, she said.
“We didn’t realize we had a story to tell about coming here, but we do,” she said. “We can truly let the world know the people on James Island have a story to tell.”
Interviews with alumni, former teachers and staff members will likely begin in February, said lead historian Mary Beth Reed. This spring, New South Associates researchers plan to host a “heritage day,” in which alumni are encouraged to bring any photographs, documents and artifacts they may have from their high school days. Examples of relevant artifacts would be yearbooks, engagement rings or prom boutonnieres, she said.
Of the 30 alumni who attended a recent informational meeting, only a dozen raised their hands when asked if they wanted to be interviewed.
A 1954 graduate asked Reed who would benefit from her sharing her memories.
“You’re telling your story the way it happened to you during this time period,” Reed said. “You’re adding to the historical record.”
The documentation of the segregated Charleston-area school is timely given the state of education for black children today, Johnson said.
“Amen,” said Barbara Brown, W. Gresham Meggett class of 1966.
Brown said she often describes her high school experience to her children, who attended James Island High School. Though their school was integrated, the quality of their education was inferior to what she received, Brown said. Her children were years behind in reading, for example.
A recent Post and Courier investigation found that de facto segregation continues to permeate the state’s education system today. One in eight public schools have a student body that is comprised of 90 percent or more minority students. About 36,000 children, mostly white, choose not to attend the public schools each year and go to private ones instead, the newspaper found.
“I always said, ‘Give us equal education,’” Brown said. “Integration was almost a disadvantage for our children.”
This effort was one of four South Carolina history projects to receive help from the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Grants Program. The Obama-era program was created in 2016 with about $8 million in revenue from federal oil leases.
The Gresham Meggett project received a $50,000 grant, while a second Charleston-based project, “Documenting and Sharing the History of Mosquito Beach and its Role in the Civil Rights Movement,” received a $43,084 grant. Two Orangeburg projects also received funding: The historic Trinity Methodist Church received $500,000 toward its repair; and Claflin University, a historically black college, received $50,000 toward a plan for its South Carolina Trustee Hall.
FORT JACKSON, S.C. – During the career of any military leader, taking command of a unit at various echelons is thought of as one the most challenging endeavors bestowed upon our nation’s service men and women.The 4th Brigade (Personnel Services), a down-trace unit of the 94th Training Division-Force Sustainment, gathered at Fort Jackson’s Victory Field to bid farewell to Col. Karen Monday-Gresham and welcome Col. Janene Marshall-Gatling as the new brigade commander on 8 July 2016 during the unit’s change of com...
FORT JACKSON, S.C. – During the career of any military leader, taking command of a unit at various echelons is thought of as one the most challenging endeavors bestowed upon our nation’s service men and women.
The 4th Brigade (Personnel Services), a down-trace unit of the 94th Training Division-Force Sustainment, gathered at Fort Jackson’s Victory Field to bid farewell to Col. Karen Monday-Gresham and welcome Col. Janene Marshall-Gatling as the new brigade commander on 8 July 2016 during the unit’s change of command ceremony.
For Monday-Gresham, a Jacksonville, Florida based Troop Program Units soldier and an Arbonne Independent Consultant/H&R Block Tax Preparer; her farewell speech was heartfelt as she tried to hold back tears while informing all in attendance of her command tenure that began on 17 July 2016. As Monday-Gresham became misty-eyed, it was evident that her tears were a symbol of humility, triumph, perseverance, and denial that her time as the 4th Brigade commander was coming to an end.
Having taken command of 4th Brigade two years ago, Monday-Gresham was candid about her mindset going into her brigade position; stating that she was in awe in a command environment that was new to her. She also expressed no regrets and viewed command time as a significant venture.
“Two years ago, I took command of the 4th Brigade not having a clue of what I was getting myself into taking this position. There were tons of new words and acronyms-like Army Program of Individual Training (ARPRINT), One Army School System (OASS), Individual Student Assessment Plan (ISAP), Program of Instruction (POI), and Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army (IPPS-A). It reminded me of many years ago when I started in the special operations forces community, where I sat in meetings taking notes about things I did not understand. I knew nothing about tasks and the instructors. It was challenging, but it was a great opportunity, and it’s one that I fully embraced and took advantage of”, said Monday-Gresham.
Monday-Gresham went on to share accounts of what it took for her to complete a successful command tenure, crediting those who’ve path the way for her which contributed to her to succeeding.
Having traveled thousands of miles with the 4th Brigade command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Carter Clendenin and a 23-year sergeant on the Greensboro, North Carolina sheriff’s department, Monday-Gresham expressed how grateful she was to have had a fantastic command sergeant major who kept her on track.
“CSM Clendenin, you and I have traveled almost 80,000 miles in the past two years. I cannot thank you enough for being my partner in this journey. You’ve always supported my decisions, yet were not afraid to give me advice and counsel me when I needed it”, said Monday-Gresham.
For Clendenin, Monday-Gresham’s success is attributed to her not only being a being a real leader to the soldiers of 4th Brigade but a leader of the adjutant general regiment as a whole.
“Her work ethic is relentless. She strives for excellence and demands such amongst her battalion commanders, soldiers and herself. Her willingness to learn the brigade structure and commitment to take experiences that she has had throughout her military career and apply them to her command position is what enabled her to excel as a commander”, said Clendenin.
Monday-Gresham also thanked Brig. Gen. Hector Lopez, 94th TD-FS commanding general for allowing her to move 4th Brigade forward, try new things, make mistakes and recover from them while supporting the brigade through its challenges and successes.
Tribute was also paid to the soldiers of 4th Brigade by Monday-Gresham. “You have fully embraced the One Army School System and taken the unit to a new level. In the past two years, you’ve conducted 203 classes and graduated over 7100 soldiers from all components”, she said.
Adding, “This is more than double the number of students the active component graduates each year and is truly indicative of 4th Brigade’s professionalism and commitment to training the soldiers of tomorrow”, said Monday-Gresham.
With a brigade footprint composed of five battalions in several states across the U.S. and 92 missions taught each year, Monday-Gresham’s speech concluded with her stating that her time as the 4th Brigade commander was her greatest assignment yet. “This has been the best assignment in my 27 years of military service. I enjoyed the daily challenges, strategic planning, conference calls, and travel. This assignment has been like no other.”
For Monday-Gresham, the soldiers and comradery of the 4th Brigade are what she will miss most. “These soldiers are amazing. They give so much of their own time to ensure that they’re proficient and ready to go. I think losing that sense of family is going to be the biggest challenge", said Monday-Gresham.
Monday-Gresham shared a bit of advice that she believes will aid Marshall-Gatling as she embarks on her two-year command. “There’s a lot of moving pieces and change coming. My guidance would be to embrace the challenges and changes. Continue to push the instructors forward as much as you can because it’s truly going to be the game changer in our personnel services environment and finally having all components on one human resource system. Making these things happen and making the transition work is going to be essential to her command”, said Monday-Gresham.
With Marshall-Gatling, a Troop Program Units soldier and franchise owner of College Nannies and Tutors in Naperville South, Illinois, coming into her first command, she explains her mindset about taking on her new position.
“I’m excited to be an AG officer taking command of a personnel services brigade. My initial goals are to qualify instructors because that’s part of the force structure. That’s what we do is teach. I think people need to know and understand this is essential. Personnel services is not an easy job, and this is where you start ground up. People want qualified personnel in their units. It’s our job to ensure we train the next generation of soldiers.
Marshall-Gatling went on to share the tools she’ll use and lessons learned throughout her military career that she believes will aid her with a successful command. “Setting the standard, observing how soldiers manage expectations as well as managing my expectation and conveying what I expect from soldiers are some of the tools I will use. I think when you go into a unit and set that foundation by letting your troops know what you expect of them makes it a lot easier for everyone involved”, said Marshall-Gatling.
Lopez also welcomed Marshall-Gatling back to the largest training division in the Army. “You are coming into the brigade at the perfect time. Thanks to Col. Monday-Gresham, you are inheriting an institution that has a demonstrated record of accomplishments. It is your responsibility to ensure that the brigade continues forward on its journey to teach and generate mission-ready soldiers’, said Lopez.
Eager to start her position leading the soldiers of 4th Brigade upon the conclusion of the unit’s change of command ceremony, Marshall-Gatling was all smiles stating, “It’s a beautiful day to be in the Army.”
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Retail and wholesale fuel distribution and convenience-store business Refuel Operating Co. LLC has entered into an agreement to acquire Double Quick Inc., an Indianola, Miss.-based retail fuel distribution and c-store chain.Tom Gresham and Bill McPherson of Gresham Petroleum founded Double Quick in 1983. It operates 48 stores and is a Church’s Chicken and Krysta...
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Retail and wholesale fuel distribution and convenience-store business Refuel Operating Co. LLC has entered into an agreement to acquire Double Quick Inc., an Indianola, Miss.-based retail fuel distribution and c-store chain.
Tom Gresham and Bill McPherson of Gresham Petroleum founded Double Quick in 1983. It operates 48 stores and is a Church’s Chicken and Krystal quick-service restaurant franchisee in western Mississippi and eastern Arkansas.
“While it was a bittersweet decision to sell Double Quick, we believe that Mark [Jordan], Travis Smith and the greater Refuel team will be great long-term stewards of the Double Quick brand and legacy that we have instilled in the local communities throughout our markets,” said Tom Gresham, CEO and managing partner.
“Tom and Bill have built a wonderful company, and we are extremely excited to welcome their employees to the Refuel family,” said Jordan, CEO of Refuel. “Double Quick has a strong brand and an established footprint that provides density as we enter the Mississippi and Arkansas markets. Double Quick excels in foodservice and has a reputation for first-class customer service, which we feel is highly complementary to the Refuel platform. We are excited to see what 2020 brings.”
Refuel plans to keep the Double Quick name, according to a report by The Enterprise-Tocsin.
The companies did not disclose the financial details of the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, and is expected to close in second-quarter 2020. Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc., Richmond, Va., is the exclusive financial adviser for Double Quick.
The transaction represents the fifth acquisition for Charleston, S.C.-based Refuel since its private equity sponsor, First Reserve, Stamford, Conn., formed Refuel Operating Co. through the acquisition of Charleston, S.C.-based Refuel Inc. and its six c-stores in early 2019. It immediately acquired West Oil Inc., Hartsville, S.C., with 25 c-stores. In June 2019, Refuel acquired Bishopville Petroleum Co. Inc., Bishopville, S.C., adding two more c-stores.
Refuel finalized its fourth acquisition in January when it acquired the Turtle Market assets in Myrtle Beach, S.C., consisting of two high-volume c-stores as well as one site currently under construction and one location that is set to begin construction in 2020.
The Double Quick deal will bring the total company-operated store count to 83 stores.
Refuel’s current development pipeline consists of 12 new stores, many of which will be open this year. Most of these stores are in the Charleston area, including Mount Pleasant, Point Hope, Nexton, Carnes Crossroads and Summerville, S.C. The company is also expanding in the Myrtle Beach, Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head, S.C., markets.
Refuel, a growth platform focused on the highly fragmented retail fuel distribution and convenience store sector, is on track to surpass the 100-store milestone by the end of 2020, with new builds and additional acquisitions in the pipeline.
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Soft milky light seeps through trees, bubbles roll across ponds, and children immerse themselves in the nature surrounding them. The world presented in Jen Ervin’s photographs show a dreamy escape, removed from society. But for her it’s simply the place her family, past and present, have marked their time and legacy.Originally a student of painting and design, Ervin’s transition into photography began with the birth of her children. “The camera was a way for me to get to know who my children were and figure out...
Soft milky light seeps through trees, bubbles roll across ponds, and children immerse themselves in the nature surrounding them. The world presented in Jen Ervin’s photographs show a dreamy escape, removed from society. But for her it’s simply the place her family, past and present, have marked their time and legacy.
Originally a student of painting and design, Ervin’s transition into photography began with the birth of her children. “The camera was a way for me to get to know who my children were and figure out what this new role of motherhood was,” Ervin tells TIME. “It was a challenge—it was joyful!—but it was extremely hard. As an artist you need to have time for yourself, you need to create, and I wasn’t sure how to do that until I started picking up the camera.”
Deep in the woods of South Carolina stands Ervin’s cabin, where she’s been working on her series The Arc of Summer since 2012. On trips with her family, Ervin photographs her children and their interactions with the landscape. Over the years, she came to see how the work had grown from just a desire to document her family. “It started as a personal project, but as it went on I really wanted to pay homage to our family members who came before us and to build on the stories they left us.”
In a Floating World (with Bubbles), The Little Pee Dee River, October 2015
Jen Ervin
Ervin’s use of polaroid film in her series is deliberate, and adds to the timeless quality of her photographs. Small in size, at 3.25 by 4.25 inches, each image becomes an instant, one-of-a-kind print. “When creating polaroids, the images instantly become objects of experience,” she says. “They are intimate, hold the most subtle of details, and are vulnerable—like memories.” For Ervin, the polaroid is the perfect medium to get across her ideas of family, memory, and legacy.
As her children grow and their trips to the cabin become less frequent, Ervin understands the preciousness of her photographs and how these opportunities may not always be there. Describing her hopes for the future of her work, Ervin explains “I would love to have the privilege to photograph my children as an old woman in my nineties. I would love to photograph them in the same river when we’ll all older. That’s my dream.”
Jen Ervin is a photographer based in Charleston, South Carolina. Her work will be featured in an exhibition at the Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, Colorado from October 7th-29th. Follow her on Instagram.
Tara Johnson, who edited this photo essay, is an Associate Photo Editor at TIME.
Cassidy Paul is a contributor for TIME LightBox. Follow her on Instagram.
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