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November 9, 2008

Fall Tour of Historic Boykin, SC
(A Spring Tour of Boykin will visit other sites)

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 
 

...........................OTHER KCHS PROGRAMS................................

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
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 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
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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

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The Society attracted attention at its
 booth at the SC Book Festival
in Columbia, SC, 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 2009 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 program at the Robert Mills Courthouse was
well-attended, enjoyed by audience and panelists, and
moderated by Don Terrell on the subject of

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)
 ...........................................................
Remember the ongoing Elgin Centennial 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.

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HIGHLIGHTS 2007-2008
A Report from President Peggy Ogburn

Wow, this has been a fantastic year for the Kershaw County Historical Society. It has truly been an amazing and exciting time, a “hold onto your hats” whirlwind kind of year. This busy, yet productive year winds down on May 31.  The dedicated support of our Board of Directors as well as other society volunteers has resulted in a successful season. 

The excellent programs, coordinated by Historical Society board members, covered a wide-range of interests, and were overwhelmingly supported by Historical Society members and the general public.  Month after month, society members enthusiastically looked forward to upcoming programs.  The result was a tremendous amount of fun, and an increase in first time memberships. 

Program Summary

Programs included:

October 2007 – Old Blaney to New Elgin coordinated by John Miller and Anna Chason, and a host of others from the Elgin community.

January 2008 – A Pre-Revolutionary History of Kershaw County coordinated by Don Terrell, John Miller, Hope Cooper, Charles Baxley, and Glen Inabinet.

March 2008 – A Historical Tour of Bethune coordinated by Harvey Teal, and Esther and Marvin McCaskill, with support from others in the Town of Bethune.

April 2008 – A Guided Tour of the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill coordinated by Charles Baxley, and David Reuwer. With special thanks to Don and Judy Terrell, and archaeologists involved with the study of the battle area.

May 2008 - John Lawson explores the Catawba Path 1700-1701 coordinated by Charles Baxley and facilitated by researcher Val Green.

All programs were followed by refreshments coordinated by Louise Steffens and generously provided by members of the Historical Society.  My special thanks to Kathee Stahl for coordinating the publicity of all programs.  Kudos to webmaster and newsletter editor Joan Inabinet for the excellent job with both advertising and follow-up of programs and other Society activities, and  to Glen Inabinet for documenting the events through photographs.

Manuscript Completion of History

One exciting event which occurred this year was the completion of the written portion of The History of Kershaw County.  The manuscript is currently being reviewed by the USC press for possible publication.  It is hopeful that word from the publisher will be received by mid-June 2008.  Thank you Joan and Glen Inabinet for the countless hours you devoted to writing this history.  Thanks also to Harvey Teal and other members of the Publications Committee for your guidance and encouragement.

Affiliate Association

Another “first” this year was the formation of The Hobkirk’s Hill Society.  This affiliate association was organized to promote public awareness of the Battle of Hobkirk’s Hill and its significance for Kershaw County.  My thanks to John Miller for coordinating the Society.  Thanks also to Kaye and Lawson Lewis for hosting a gathering during the commemoration week.

Easement Committee

Finally, I. am delighted that in December 2007 the Historical Society formed a Preservation Easement Committee under the direction of Kathy Hill.  The Historical Society is proud to be the holder of a historic preservation easement on a significant historical property, Holly Hedge.  The easement will prevent further subdivision of this property and ensure that the terraced gardens remain intact for perpetuity.  Many thanks to Ben and Pam Schreiner for their generous gift to the community.

Plans

Plans for 2008-2009 are underway and promise as much fun as we have had this year.  As our programs are open to the public, I hope you will join us in the fall when we kick off another great year.

Peggy Ogburn

COMING SOON--A blog by President Peggy Ogburn will be added to our webpage. Contents of this front page will be moved to another location on our webpage to free up space for 2008-9 details!