John Nolan

As an outgrowth of my love for history, this city and over a decade of experience giving museum tours, I took the initiative in 2006 to start my own Greenville city tour company—Greenville History Tours. Over the past four years I've established key partnerships of business with the local Convention and Visitor's Bureau; public and private schools in Greenville, Anderson and Pickens; civic groups such as the Rotary; professional business and government organizations such as Upstate Alliance, International Center of the Upstate and the City of Greenville; major companies such as Erwin-Penland Advertising and HayssenSandiacre and thousands of tourists and locals alike.

I was approached by History Press in April 2007 about writing a historic guide to Greenville because they knew I was thoroughly familiar with the city's history through my business. I began writing in earnest in October, 2007, and finished "A Guide to Historic Greenville, South Carolina" at the end of January, 2008. Within a month of sales I made it to the top 50 list of History Press's top sellers for the year. Book signings have been hosted by The Open Book, Upcountry History Museum, and Barnes & Noble, the Greenville Council of Garden Clubs "Historic Home Garden Tour," and others. I am currently researching and meeting with local historic home owners to prepare for my next book, "A Guide to Historic Neighborhoods in Greenville, SC."

My local history expertise has fostered invited tours and lectures from such venues as the History after Dark Lecture Series for the Upcountry History Museum, the VIP All-Access Back Stage Pass Program hosted by the Greenville Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the Opportunity Greenville program Greenville Chamber of Commerce, and the 2010 annual South Carolina Federation of Museums conference held in Greenville.

Books

The respected publisher of local history books, History Press, in Charleston SC approached Greenville History Tours owner, John Nolan, in April, 2007 about writing a historic guide to our growing and progressive city of Greenville. One year later, A Guide to Historic Greenville, South Carolina was released and quickly found eager buyers in many local bookstores including The Open Book, Mast General Store, Fiction Addiction, Barnes & Noble and many more. Patrons on the historic walking and driving tours also found the book a great way to remember things they learned on their tours and a reference for future learning. The first print run was sold out in less than two years after the book's release and its second printing became available in summer, 2010.

A Guide to Historic Greenville, SC is a user-friendly guide to the history and places of interest in downtown Greenville containing numbered maps, three separate "walking tours" with detailed history of many historic buildings, statues, etc., a tour covering architectural highlights, a guide to the city's art and cultural treasure offerings, over 80 photos, and more.

If you would like a signed copy by the author for your self or a gift for your family or business associates, email to have one sent to you. The cost for each book is $20 plus $5 to cover shipping and handling.