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See
Our Blog
for related articles of interest on Kershaw
County history.
Also find our new book A History of Kershaw County on its
Facebook page.
March 24, 2013--3 p.m.
Program
"The Immortal Six Hundred"
followed by
A Members-Only
Tour
of Holly
Hedge
Be sure your 2013 membership is order!
Don't miss out! Tour
historic Camden's Holly Hedge, home of one of the Civil War's
Immortal Six Hundred. Exhibits and refreshments also at
Holly Hedge.
Open program at 3:00 p.m. at
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
1709 Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC
Memberships may be paid there in time for the tour following
the program.
Program Speakers have all
researched and written about the Immortal 600--
Harvey S. Teal,
Karen
Stokes,
Mauriel Phillips Joslyn
At top, an early 1900s postcard view of Holly Hedge;
bottom view, a rare snowfall in a modern winter view of the lovely estate
...............................................................
Our most
recent Society Publication
A History of Kershaw County, South Carolina
A History
of Kershaw County, South Carolina,
written by Joan A. Inabinet and L. Glen Inabinet for the Kershaw
County Historical Society and published by USC Press, has
received very favorable response since the Society introduced it
to the public with a much-enjoyed launch party Jan. 16, 2011.
The authors have also given talks from its pages to numerous groups, and
have appeared as radio guests on
Walter Edgar's Journal. The
South Carolina Book
Festival
May 14 and 15, 2011,
featured the book with two panel presentations and book signings
by the authors.
Click
here to read what USC Press says about
A History of Kershaw County, South Carolina.
Click here to listen to an interview with the authors of the
book on NPR's Walter Edgar's Journal
 A History of
Kershaw County, South Carolina
by Joan A. Inabinet and L. Glen Inabinet
for the Kershaw County Historical Society
Hardbound, with dust jacket, over 700 pages
of text, illustrations,
and
extensive index
Published by the University of South Carolina Press
Click here
to order your book from
us.
Our price per
regular edition book $50
, plus shipping if required
In Kershaw County the book is also sold at the Camden
Archives,
at Historic Camden, and at various vendors in local communities.
The book is also available from our publisher,
USC Press, as well as
from
other book and online sources.
Click here for
other Society publications.
NOW AVAILABLE a
numbered limited
Special Edition (only 100 copies printed) of
A
History of Kershaw County
Navy leather binding with
gold lettering. Numbered and autographed on special page
insert.
King Hagler (Haiglar) image on cover. A distinctive companion to
vintage Historic Camden volumes.
Available only through the Society.
Special Edition, $100,
plus shipping if required
Click here
to order your Special Edition book from us.
...............................................................
................. Scroll on for RECENT KCHS PROGRAMS...........................
A Veteran
Recalls World War II
 Frequent
focus on Kershaw County’s Revolutionary struggles against the
British does not overshadow local interests in modern historical
times--such as World War II, when America and Great Britain were
allied in freedom’s cause. On February 24, 2013, the Society's
program's program was viewed with great interest, co-sponsored
with the Larry Jeffers Post 195, American Legion, at their
headquarters on Wildwood Lane. Speaker was a resident of
neighboring Blythewood, John P. Cummer,
World War II veteran, who discussed his experiences as a U.S.
Navy gunner's mate aboard amphibious landing craft on D-Day.
South
Carolinians in Love and War
Nov. 4. 2012, at
Camden High School Auditorium, Civil War historian Mac Wyckoff
focused
on members of Kershaw's Brigade, CSA, in his informative and
entertaining presentation. Wyckoff's previous contacts with the
Society and knowledgeable talks provided a well-anticipated
program.
.....................................
 Focus on the Fork
(of Big and Little Lynches Rivers in Kershaw County )
Oct. 14, 2012, Author Lon Outen was guest
speaker at a well-attended program held at Lyttleton Street
United Methodist Church in Camden to show slides and discuss his just-published
book, A History of
Lynches Forks and Extended Areas On Big and Little Lynches
Rivers, South Carolina. In the annual election of officers,
those serving last year were re-elected. Book sales and autographing
followed.
.....................................
 Mary
Chesnut's
Long-Lost Civil War Photographs
Feb. 26, 2012, at Lyttleton Street
United Methodist Church, Camden, Marty Daniels discussed her family’s
search and recovery of Mary Chesnut’s lost Civil War photograph
albums. Daniels also described her work with archivist Barbara McCarthy at
Mulberry Plantation to identify and research some200 images collected by Mary Chesnut. Their work was published in
2011 in a two-volume edition entitled Mary Chesnut’s
Illustrated Diary, Mulberry Edition, published by Pelican
Publishing Company. A full-house attended the program.
.....................................
Tiller's
Ferry Historical Marker
The Society on Oct. 2, 2011, dedicated a Historical Marker
at Tiller's Ferry community,
crossroads site Bethune Road (SC 341) and
Old Stagecoach Road from Camden. History of the Tiller's Ferry
community pre-dates the Revolution and includes Civil War
invasions. The ferry was the major early crossing over the
Lynches River into Kershaw County. The program was well
attended by a large crowd.
(At left, front of old store that
was Tiller's Ferry post office)
.....................................
Richard Kirkland--Angel or Hoax?
Nov. 6, 2011, historian Mac Wyckoff spoke on
the provocative topic to show that he felt a significant event
had occurred during the Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg, Va.
Richard Kirkland, a
Confederate sergeant from Kershaw County, is remembered for
risking his life
during the battle to take water to
wounded and dying enemy soldiers. He also
presented a dynamic new film documentary on Kirkland's deed.
The program was enjoyed in the auditorium at Camden High School.
(At left, Sgt. Richard Rowland Kirkland, 2nd
S.C.)
.....................................
Controversy, Colonial
Governance, & Cherokee War, 1755-1760
South Carolina Governor
William Henry Lyttelton--
May 1, 2011, at the Lyttleton
Street United Methodist Church in Camden, Society
members were treated to a lecture and slide show by guest
speaker Daniel J. Tortora discussing crown-appointed South
Carolina Governor William Henry Lyttelton.
The Society also unveiled its
leather-bound Special Edition of A History of Kershaw
County and placed the books for sale (See above).
..............................................................
RAILROADS
in Kershaw County and S.C.
The Society program
Sept. 26, 2010, included slides and an informative lecture
on state and local railroads. About 75 persons attended the
program in the Kershaw County Fine Arts Center auditorium to
hear remarks by Rodger Strop, retired director of the S.C.
Department of Archives and History.
Dr. Stroup is the
current chairman of the SC Archives and History Foundation
and a volunteer at the South Carolina State Museum. He is
also the curator of the South Carolina Railroad Museum and a
certified conductor on the museum’s Rockton, Rion & Western
Railroad.
Local dignitaries in Camden in 1937 for
opening day ceremonies
at the new Seaboard Air Line Railway station, West DeKalb
Street
Photo courtesy of Camden Archives
..............................................................
The Brits Invade Camden--Again!
World War II British
Aviation Cadet Training,
with American Pilots,
at the Southern Aviation School
at Woodward Field in Camden
An audience of about 75 persons on May 16, 2010, enjoyed the
comfortable seating of the beautiful chapel at Camden Military
Academy in Camden during the informative and entertaining
lecture by Dr. Gilbert S. Guinn on the Southern Aviation School
that had operated at that site during World War II.
Specifically, Dr. Guinn focused on the training of British
pilots there as part of the Arnold Scheme, topic of a book he
authored on the subject. Afterwards, the audience enjoyed
refreshments and walked on the airport field to inspect a
restored vintage Stearman airplane such as had been used there
for training during World War II.
Guest Speaker: Gilbert S.
Guinn,
Author of
The Arnold Scheme
Gilbert S. Guinn
of Greenwood, Emeritus Professor at Lander University and a
contributor of the
Guinn Collection to Cooper Library, USC, was born and grew up near
Woodward Field in Camden. Here the Southern Aviation School
operated from 1941-1943. Its traces are still observed at
Camden Military Academy
where we will meet and at the Camden Airport. Dr.Guinn's 2007 The Arnold Scheme,
includes details about SAS at Camden.
The Arnold
Scheme is available from online vendors and may be
previewed at
Google Books.
More Resources on
the Topic
Read here
Aviation Special
Issue, Fred Ogburn's extensive articles on the
Southern Aviation School that appeared as "A Kershaw County
Historical Society Special Issue" in the April 28, 2010,
Kershaw County Current, with thanks for the PDF provided
us by that publication.
Snapshots
of World War II training in Camden may be viewed on the
webpage journal of SAS British flying cadet
Anthony Johnstone.
Although the text at this site includes his journal
throughout the war, all photographs were taken at Camden.
More
snapshots of training in Camden may be viewed on the webpage
devoted to the webpage story of SAS British flying cadet
Allan Gent. His son would appreciate any identifications
or further information that can be provided. The page also
links to a copy of a 1941 publication of Goggles
by the UK cadets, including personal signatures of the some
of them.
Built in 1932, Camden Airport hanger used by the
Southern
Aviation School. SC Archives and History Center photo.
..............................................................................................
Despite a cold rain, over 65 persons were at the
Robert Mills Courthouse in Camden Jan. 24, 2010, to
hear the moderated panel discussion "The Homefront Is the
Battlefront," the first part of a two-part "BRITS INVADE CAMDEN"
presentation.
Moderated by
Charles Baxley, the panel included Joanna Craig, Glen Inabinet, John Miller, Jim Piecuch,
and David Reuwer. Information about several of these panelists
The Homefront Is
the Battlefront
Domestic life during the Revolution
Inside
the Robert Mills Courthouse, above,
scenes by
Claude Buckley depict local
battle actions during the Revolution.
Recent re-enactors at Historic Camden Revolutionary
War Site
(above)
depict roles of civilians, as well as military participants.
Panelist John Miller, (below) points to a Revolutionary Camden
map,
discussed by panelists (row 2) and the audience (rows 3 amd 4).
 
 
..............................................................................................
Oct. 18, 2009,
Jill Koverman, Curator of
Collections for McKissick Museum, USC, with Society board member
and collector Jim Witkowski, and area potter Otis Norris,
presented an illustrated lecture, display, and pottery sale
at the Kershaw County Fine Arts Center.
All of the facets engaged the audience in the history of a
fascinating art.
A Ceramic History of S.C.
A Kershaw County Focus
..............................................................................................
Our program Sunday, May 3, 2009, attracted a
large group to the new Auditorium at Camden High School. Guest
speakers included Mather
graduates Congressman Jim Clyburn
and Dr. Ernestine Adams, with Dr. Harvey S. Teal.
MATHER
ACADEMY
History of a Mission
To Educate African-American Children
 
On a part of the old campus,
a memorial to Mather is a familiar site
on Campbell Street,
Camden,
a location on the State Archives’
list of
African-American Historical Sites.
The school took root
from missionary efforts to educate children
of former slaves.
More Mather information is on
the Boylan-Haven-Mather
Academy Alumni Association webpage.
..............................................................................................
Lovely Spring weather added
to the pleasures
of Society members who joined us in going
BACK TO
Boykin, SC
March 22, 2009,
to continue touring the historic rural community.
"BACK TO
Historic Boykin" Spring Tour
Actress Chris Weatherhead enthralls
tour-goers at the Terraces
in her noted role as Civil War diarist Mary Boykin Chesnut,
who spent part of her childhood in the lovely plantation home.
High, wide porches offered expansive views of the Terraces'
famous grounds.
A stroll on the grounds of Millway
reawakens rural memories.
Sam Dennis fills old Swift Creek Baptist Church
with the full-toned notes of traditional spiritual singing.
..............................................................................................
Society members filled the pews at
historic Ebenezer
Methodist Church in Lugoff for our Feb. 15, 2009, program
on
an extensive
nineteenth-century public works system that the State of
South Carolina built
on the west bank of the Wateree River.
The Wateree Canal
..............................................................................................
A large group enjoyed a lovely
day in Boykin, SC,
on our Fall Tour Nov. 9, 2008.
Sites included
Deer Hope Lodge, home
to Boykin Hunt Club
Boykin Grist Mill,
with demonstration
Pear Tree
Old Stockton Schoolhouse
Swift Creek Church
Battle of Boykin, Civil War skirmish site
Historic Boykin Fall Tour
Tille and Baynard Boykin share information
about the 1865 battle
commemorated by the marker behind them.
Inside Swift Creek Baptist Church, Alice
Boykin describes its restoration.
Seen through the window of restored Stockton School, groups
outside are engaged in conversation with Boykin area residents.
Jamie Guy tells
old hunting stories at Deer Hope Lodge,
grounds of the Boykin
Hunt Club.
..............................................................................................
An
audience of 200 filled the auditorium and gallery at the
Kershaw County Fine Arts Center, Camden, Oct. 26, 2008,
for our first program of this new term of office.
The PROGRAM and
ART EXHIBIT Preview, was presented in
in cooperation with the Kershaw County Fine Arts Center
The Life and Art of
Kershaw County Native
Jak Smyrl
Sketch above by Jak
Smyrl is used by permission from
his book
Random Rimes,
copyright 2007.
Featured Speaker was Cartoonist
Robert Ariail
..............................................................................................
A very interested audience of 50 to
60 at the Robert Mills Courthouse
May 19,2008, heard Val Green
discuss his extensive research.
John Lawson's
Explorations
of the Catawba Path, 1700-1701
The Catawba Path is traveled in part today by anyone
who uses Broad Street in Camden, where appropriately
the weathervane effigy of Catawba chief "King Haiglar"
tops the historic town tower. (Image from mid-1900s)
Program & tour photos
Details here
..............................................................................................
Despite rainy interruptions April 27,
2008, a cheerful crowd of about 50
followed our tour to the end, attentive to lively explanations
by our guide
Archaeology & Walking Tour
of Battle of Hobkirk's Hill site
Program
Details here
..............................................................................................
Our
March 2, 2008, program attracted 200 visitors!
Beginning at the Bethune Woman's Club
with a short talk, display, and refreshments,
the program included a tour with local experts speaking at various sites
and a map-brochure created especially for this program!
Tour of
Bethune, SC
Early nineteenth century swimmers at Big Spring mineral-springs
resort in Bethune
Program and 1907 photo
Details here
..............................................................................................
The
Society attracted attention at its booth at the
SC Book Festival
in
Columbia Feb. 23-24.We enjoyed our first time to be part of this popular annual event,
beloved by readers and antique book-collectors. We are looking
forward to next year. Plan to join us at the next
annual
Festival!
Ben Shreiner and Charles Baxley,
manning the Historical Society's booth at the SC Book
Festival, greet one of the customers to the event, Liz
Campbell, also of Kershaw County.
..............................................................................................
Our Jan.13,
2008,
program at the Robert Mills Courthouse was
well-attended, enjoyed by audience and panelists, and
moderated by Don Terrell on the subject :
Pre-Revolutionary History
in Kershaw County
Some of the finer pre-Revolutionary area homes
did not differ much from
the 1812 Drakeford House moved to the Historic Camden
Revolutionary War Site.
(1970 view)
..............................................................................................
The
Elgin
Centennial was observed in 2008!
We enjoyed our Oct. 2007 program
Old Blaney to New Elgin
Thanks to the
Elgin Centennial Committee, our hosts
Where Blaney began— A
telegraph operator sits in the Western Union window of the Seaboard
train depot at Blaney (today Elgin) in the early 1900s.
Thanks so much to Barbie Russ for this image
of her great granduncle Elihu Meares, an early 1900s telegraph operator
who traveled in the employ of the Seaboard Air Line Railway. The Blaney
depot building, moved to Stephen Campbell Road, now serves as Goff Feed
& Tack. |
