Welcome to Heller Heritage on the Green

 A unifying initiative that brings together all Heritage Green institutions to celebrate Max and Trude Heller and their lasting impact on Greenville’s arts, culture, education, and community life.

Guided by a vision for a more welcoming and vibrant community space, this project will elevate Heritage Green’s position in Greenville as the city’s center for culture and arts in a beautiful and safe environment.

Be a part of this meaningful tribute, and help us shape a brighter, more vibrant future for Greenville.

Please note: The architectural plan shown represents a preliminary concept and does not reflect the final design.

2025 Trude Heller Children’s Garden Dedication Video.

Thank you to those who attended the Trude Heller Children’s Garden Dedication on September 18, 2025, which marked the first completed phase of the project.

About Heritage Green

Heritage Green serves as Greenville’s central arts and cultural campus, set along College Street in the heart of downtown. It brings together The Children’s Museum of the Upstate, The Greenville County Library System, Greenville Theatre, Sigal Music Museum, The Greenville County Museum of Art, and The Upcountry History Museum, creating a walkable destination where learning, creativity, and community naturally come together.

In the 1970’s, the Greenville County Library became the first institution to move to what would grow into Heritage Green. Over time, the addition of museums, performance spaces, and educational institutions transformed the area into what it is today: a walkable campus celebrating Greenville’s history, culture, and community spirit. The Heller Heritage on the Green project continues this tradition, enhancing the space’s beauty, accessibility, and vibrancy while honoring the lasting legacy of Max and Trude Heller.

Project Phases:

  • The Trude Heller Children’s Garden at The Children’s Museum, where children can play and learn. This garden honors Trude Heller, a Holocaust educator devoted to teaching children. The garden opened to the public in October 2025.

  • The “Dear Mrs. Heller” Collection, featuring letters written to Mrs. Heller by attendees at her Holocaust education talks, is available online through the Greenville County Library System’s digital archives and for viewing in the South Carolina Room at the Hughes Main Library.

  • An exhibit at the Upcountry History Museum, “Max and Trude Heller: A Story of Courage, Community, and Coming Home,” showcasing Max and Trude’s journey to Greenville and their lasting impact through personal papers, photographs, and historical artifacts. Opening in October 2026.

  • Four mosaic installations by ceramicist Diana Farfán that tell the Heller family story through art and symbolism. Located in a newly designed focal point along the Heritage Green pathway, the mosaics trace the family’s journey to Greenville, with 90 birds honoring Heller family members lost in the Holocaust.

  • A dance-theater production by Carolyn Dorfman Dance, “The Power of One: The Heroes Within — The Story of Max Heller, Mary Mills, and ‘Miracles,’” celebrating Max’s life and impact. Following its May 2026 world premiere in New Jersey, the production will be presented at Greenville Theatre.

  • An interactive musical sculpture along the Heritage Green pathway, offering visitors another way to experience and engage with the Hellers’ love for arts and culture.

Heller Heritage on the Green will pay tribute to the esteemed legacy of Mayor Max Heller and his wife, Trude Heller for their profound contributions to, and affection for, the arts, culture, community, and education in Greenville.

About Max & Trude Heller

A series of miraculous events while fleeing persecution during the Holocaust led Max and Trude to Greenville, where the community welcomed them with open arms. Max and Trude built an inspirational life in Greenville. After a successful business career, Max served on the Greenville City Council, followed by two terms as Mayor. 

While Mayor, Max spearheaded downtown revitalization, bringing a vision of a pedestrian-friendly and green downtown, worked for affordable housing, improved infrastructure, and actively worked for social and civic progress. 

After serving as mayor, Max was appointed by Governor Dick Riley to serve as Chairman of the State Development Board. In this role, Max Heller brought industry, jobs, and hope to his beloved city and state.

Trude was a Holocaust educator, speaking to youth and adults in schools, churches, and civic clubs. Trude’s age-appropriate account of her harrowing experience always delivered the same message: respect others and stand up for what you believe. 

Throughout their lives, Max and Trude made profound contributions to the arts, creating the foundation for a dynamic culture in Greenville, where their impact continues today.

Thanks to generous community support, more than $1.4 Million has already been raised toward theHeller Heritage on the Green project. Every gift helps bring this shared vision for Heritage Green to life.

Heller Heritage on the Green is administered by the Community Foundation of Greenville.

Community Foundation of Greenville is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Partner with us by donating today.

Donor Levels

Corporate Giving Levels

  • Heritage Builder — $250,000+

  • Heritage Champion — $150,000–$249,999

  • Heritage Patron — $50,000–$149,999

  • Heritage Benefactor — $10,000–$49,999

  • Heritage Supporter — Up to $9,999

Individual Giving Levels

  • Heritage Champion — $150,000–$249,999+

  • Heritage Patron — $50,000–$149,999

  • Heritage Benefactor — $10,000–$49,999

  • Heritage Supporter — $5,000–$9,999

  • Heritage Friend — $1,000–$4,999

  • Heritage Advocate — Up to $999

Advisory Committee

Francie Heller, Co-Chair
Heller Daughter

Susan Shi, Co-Chair
Community Leader

Dick Riley, Honorary Co-Chair
Community Leader

Betty Farr (in memoriam),
Honorary Co-Chair
Community Leader

Susan Heller Moses
Heller Daughter

Lynne Garfinkel
Heller Granddaughter

Jake Hurvitz
Student Advisor

Lily Friedland
Student Advisor

Lauren Luneckas
TheChildren’s Museum of the Upstate

Dana Thorpe
Upcountry History Museum

David Sims
Sigal Music Museum

Aimée Quattlebaum
Greenville Theatre

Beverly James
Greenville County Library

Minor Shaw
Community Leader

Liz Seman
Greenville County Council

Tina Belge
Greenville City Council

Chandra Dillard
SC House of Representatives

Tracy Ramseur
City of Greenville

Russell Stall
Community Leader

Michelle Guevara
VisitGreenvilleSC

Greg Hester
Greenville County Museum of Art

Fundraising Committee

Susan Shi, Chair
Community Leader

Francie Heller
Heller Daughter

Susan Heller Moses
Heller Daughter

Lynne Garfinkel
Heller Granddaughter

Courtney Tollison Hartness
Furman University

Ed Good
Community Leader

Frances Ellison
Community Leader

David Ellison
Community Leader

Russell Stall
Community Leader

Minor Shaw
Community Leader

Michelle Shain
Community Leader

Nancy Cooper
Community Leader

Salli Alexander
Consultant

Project Team

Megan P. O’Neill
Wyche Law Firm

Nathan Logan
Beau Welling Design

Stuart Wyeth
Pintail CRE

Lynn Solesbee
BlueWater Civil Design

Art Committee

Jessie Amos
Little Victories Branding & Co.

Kerry Murphy
Artisphere

Diana Farfan
Featured Artist

Tracy Ramseur
City of Greenville

Thank you for supporting this meaningful initiative that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our community. The committee is currently seeking individual donors and corporate partners.

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