The legacy of former Greenville Mayor Max Heller is on display now at the Upcountry History Museum.
Heller emigrated from Vienna, Austria, to the United States in 1938 as a refugee fleeing Nazi persecution during the Holocaust. Trude, whom he met in Austria and later married, emigrated to the United States with her parents in 1940.
After building a successful career in the textile industry, Heller retired early to dedicate himself to public service. His daughter, Francine Heller, reflected on her parents’ experience building a new life in Greenville.
“I think both my parents decided to be happy, and that Greenville welcomed them with open arms,” Francine said.
Max Heller served as Greenville’s mayor from 1971 to 1979. During his tenure, he helped lead the city’s revitalization, worked to desegregate City Hall, and improved housing for low-income residents.
His legacy is featured at the Upcountry History Museum through personal artifacts, photographs and interactive exhibits.
