29924 · 2. how to secure additional docents to man the museum on sundays and thursday 2-5 pm and...
TRANSCRIPT
The Hampton County Historical Society is proud to announce that
author and newspaper publisher, Michael M. DeWitt, Jr., will be the guest
speaker and presenter to kick off its Fall Series with a program at the Hamp-
ton Fire Station on September 8th at 7 pm. Mr. DeWitt will offer an oral and
photo presentation entitled “The Hampton County Watermelon Festival:
75 Years of Sweet Tradition,” which will feature many vintage photographs
of the longest-continuing festival in South Carolina. Mr. DeWitt’s program
will be an early introduction to the 2017 festival theme of celebrating 75
years. Come reminisce or come see “how it was” in Hampton County in by-
gone years.
Following the presentation, DeWitt will have signed copies of his
two books: a photo history entitled Images of America—Hampton County
and a humor collection, Saying Grace Over Edible Underwear available for
sale at a special price.
There is no charge for the program for Hampton County Historical
Society members. For non-members a donation is requested. Please plan to
be seated by 7 PM.
Join HCHS and Be a Part of History
HC Watermelon Festival -75 Years on Parade
Thursday, Sept. 8, 7 PM at Hampton Fire Station
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HCHS’ Fall Series
September 8 Watermelon Festival: 75 Years
Hampton Fire Station 7 PM
October 1 Day trip to Effingham Historical Museum and
Living History Site, Springfield GA 10AM - 2PM
November 10 The Yemassee War
Hampton Fire Station 7 PM
Johnny Causey Collection Update
Iron entry gate created by Angus “Gator” Alberson installed
Display cabinet nearing completion
Wall wiring and pipe removal underway
Archeologists have completed classification
Project moving forward—seems oh so slowly—but surely
HA M PTON COU NTY HIS T ORI CA L S OCIE TY P . O. BOX 1 5 2, HAM PT ON , S C 29 9 24
WELCOME to New Members
Henry & Annette Tuten Thomas Hiers
Alex & Maggie Murdaugh Jack Brant
Buster & Paul Murdaugh Charles Davis
John Smith & Gloria Van Zyle
Patrick Henry Academy Rosemary Hunt
Monk & Lib Laffitte Frank Young
Harry & Lisa Wechsler Dr. Lane Tuten
Algie Solomon .
Many thanks to those new and old members that responded at the $100 Patron level.
MEMORIALS received for
Martha Ann Gooding
Rusty Latham
July 11 HCHS Executive Board Retreat Highlights
Gathered at dining table in home of Lawton O’Cain with only 2 members missing. It was a productive day filled
with planning, discussing and dreaming. Midday a refreshing lunch was enjoyed. Some of major highlights were
1. Iris Winn was appointed by acclamation to fulfill the Marian Platt’s term.
2. How to secure additional docents to man the museum on Sundays and Thursday 2-5 PM and hopefully extend
hours
3. Need to create Museum brochure and HCHS flyers
4. By-Laws. Update to reflect calendar year consistently throughout. To be completed before 2017.
5. Program Chairman, Steve Kemmerlin, already in action (see this newsletter). Interesting possibilities to come.
6. Importance of preserving the history of the old HC Jail through a written history.
7. For future exhibits upstairs: develop exhibits on railroad and timer industries. Begin to solicit and accept
information and artifacts.
8. Inventory status. Plan for Inventory Day with many volunteers.
Board members urge you to share suggestions/ideas and provide help. Let us hear from you.
President’s Comments
Summer has come and about gone. Was a slow summer. Many of our projects moved at a snails’ pace.
The Board Retreat in July (see below) addressed many projects and trust the pace will now pick up.
The Fall Series of programs is exciting. There should be something for everyone. We are especially
excited about our “road trip” to Springfield’s Effingham County Museum & Living History Site. Many of you
will remember our trips to Silver Bluff and to Brier Creek. Such wonderful memories. So with anticipation,
call and make your reservation. Then fill your car and join the caravan on October 1.
Hope to see you and your friends at the Fall Series of programs.
LaClaire Laffitte, President
Members —- YOU are the HCHS and the HC Museum @ the Old Jail
Newest addition in muse-
um’s agriculture room.
Dr. Richard Porcher, in his
April program on Rice
Culture in the SC Low-
country, spoke of the use
of the mortar and pestle to
process rice. Here one can
see this handmade equip-
ment that was used and can
appreciate the manual
effort required to remove
the bran and polish the
rice. The mortar is made
from one log. There are
three pestles of different
designs on display. This is
a gift from John G. Causey
and moved to the museum
Mortar and Pestle used in
lowcountry rice production
on display in Agriculture
Room
Old Family Bible Records
Hampton County Historical Society has received financial assistance from a member who is in-terested in having copies of Family Records from old family Bibles available in our museum’s Genealo-gy Center. This is a valuable resource for those who are interested in documenting family history. Copies from your Bible may be brought to the HCM or mailed to us OR we can make a copy from your Bible. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Ann Sowell at the museum. Messages to 943-5484 will be returned. Many who have Family Bible Records may not see this newsletter. Would you be an advocate to others in our effort to collect Family Bible Records.
Thanks for Helping Locate Old Family Bible Records
Final Fall Program November 10th 7 PM
The Yemassee War
The final program in the HCHS Fall Series will be held on Thursday, November 10th at the Hampton Fire Sta-
tion at 7 PM. What an opportunity this will be to learn about the Yemassee War, a part of our local history that many
are not aware.
The Yemassee War was the second largest Indian war in the colonial period and almost caused the destruction
of the South Carolina colony. The presentation will examine the causes of the Yemassee War, the course of the war,
and the impact and aftermath of this history-changing war that impacted what would be Hampton County, the British
colony of South Carolina, and the Southeast as a whole.
A dynamic duo and both history enthusiasts, Andy Thomas and J.R. Fennell will be the presenters. Both of
these men are well versed in South Carolina’s colonial history and especially interested in the history of the area in
which they grew up. Colleton County native, J.R. Fennell is Director of the Lexington County Museum and the imme-
diate past president of the South Carolina Federation of Museums. Andy Thomas, Fairfax native and former Hampton
resident, has just completed his Graduate Certificate in Museum Management Studies from USC (2016). Everyone is
certain to gain knowledge from Andy and J.R of the Yemassee Indians and the British Colony surrounding the Ye-
massee War.
This history presentation at the Hampton Fire Station at 7 PM on Thursday, November 10th would be appro-
priate for older students interested in SC history. There is no admission fee for HCHS members or for students.
A donation is requested from non-members. Please be on time so that the program will not be interrupted.
Mark your calendar and inform others, too
Hampton County Museum @ the Old Jail
Thursday & Sunday 2 to 5 o’clock By appointment: call 803-943-5484 or 943-6990
Groups Welcome
A car caravan will leave from the Hampton County Muse-
um at 9 o’clock, Saturday, October 1, for a drive to Springfield,
Georgia.—destination Effingham Historical Museum and Living
History Site. The Museum and Living History Site will be opened
from 10 AM to 2 PM just for the Hampton County Historical So-
ciety Group. So park quickly and check in for your group assign-
ment at the Museum door. Guides will be prepared to take small
groups through the museum and the living history site.
The ten room museum is the Old Effingham Jail which
now houses their Historical Society, the genealogy research room,
original jail cells, as well as wonderful exhibits of artifacts repre-
senting Effingham County. The Living History Site is filled with
historic old buildings, farming equipment and much more that
represents early rural life in Effingham County and the old South
in general. It should certainly be a day filled with wonder in their
accomplishment and appreciation for the history of the area– much
of which is reflected in our own Hampton County heritage.
Midway during the tour a simple picnic lunch will be served.
Reservations are required for food preparations and to determine the number of guides needed. Reser-
vation deadline is Wednesday, September 28th . The aim is to have groups of no more than ten each so
that everyone gets the full benefit of the tour. Additionally, we have based the cost on the reduced entrance
fee available for a minimum of 40 attending. So gather your family, your neighbors and friends for a fun-
filled adventurous day. Remember to dress comfortably and wear walking shoes. The tour will require walking on the 15 acre
living history site. However, seating is available on the grounds. Rain or Shine Trip!
Before returning home, you will want to drive down Laurel Street to see the renovated Mars Theater
and perhaps stop for a little shopping in the antique and specialty shops.
HCHS Takes to the Road Again! Join the Caravan to Springfield, GA, October 1st
Reservations Deadline September 28
$10 HCHS members and members’
children
$15 non-members
$5 children 6 years and under
Make Reservation Promptly Provide a telephone contact
1. Mail check to HCHS, P.O.Box 152,
Hampton SC 29924
2. Call Sarah Jo Withycombe 803-943-4865
3. Call HC Museum 803-943-5484
(leave message with phone number)
4. Hampton County Museum on Thurs. & Sun.
between 2 & 5 o’clock
5. Pay at September 8th Program
Effingham Historical Society & Museum
1002 Pine Street, Springfield, GA 31329
Jailhouse built 1934
Living History Site on 15 acres adjacent to Effingham Hist. Museum
Page 5
Hampton County Museum
On FACEBOOK
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Inventory Day September 20
Come Help! All Hands Needed & Welcomed!
go through boxes, describe & measure items,
label, organize
Three views of a 1936 kerosene iron in the
Country Store photographed for inventory
by Dr. Milton Stratos.
Photographing Museum Inventory Begins
The gargantuan undertaking of inventorying each and every
item in the Hampton County Museum took a giant leap forward
in July when Dr. Milton Stratos arrived on the scene from
Bradenton, Florida. The listing and description of artifacts on
the first floor of the museum is almost complete. The detailed
description of each item is the first step in our inventory. The
remaining steps are to photograph each artifact and to label
each with a catalogue number.
Responding to a request in the Winter 2016 HCHS Newsletter,
Dr. Milton Stratos, son-in-law of Red and Libby Tuten and
HCHS member, volunteered to photograph small items in our
collection. He arrived with his photo equipment on a hot July
day. Setting up in the museum– amidst trial and error - work-
ing without ideal lighting and backdrops, Dr. Stratos created his
own “photo lab”, moving from room to room photographing
very small items as well as large farm items that he had NOT
come prepared to photograph. Fans were blowing and sweat
was dripping under the lights. But undaunted, Milton Stratos
returned for four days. Each day Dr. Stratos was met with vol-
unteers who attempted to make his work easier. Lawton
O’Cain, Corrine Robert, Mary Ann Sowell, Sam Crews and
LaClaire Laffitte all were lending a hand- trying to be helpful
and quite often more of a hindrance than a help.
With a lifetime interest in photography and his profession as a
radiologist Dr. Stratos gives meticulous attention to detail to
lighting, angler and picture quality. This attention to detail was
reflected as he recorded each item from many angles to catch
its true picture. Iris Winn is matching the picture(s) of each
item with its corresponding name and description on the com-
puter entry.
Hopefully Dr. Stratos and his wife, Lois, will return in the fall
under more favorable weather conditions for him to continue to
Hampton County Historical Society Executive Board
President… ………...………..LaClaire Laffitte
Vice-President………….…...Steve Kemmerlin
Treasurer………………….….Virginia Sinclair
Recording Secretary………….Lawton O’Cain
Corresponding Secretary…………. Iris Winn
Immediate Past-President. Betty Ruth Crews
Museum Director…….....…..Mary Ann Sowell
Board Members………..…..…..Marian Holley
…………..….…...John Polk
…………..Christine Peeples
As a totally volunteer organization your membership & support is vital Be a Part of History
HAMPTON COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
Renew 2016 JOIN
Name/s_____________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________
City/State/Zip_______________________________________________
Tel________________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________
If have email, please check one
____Check to receive all communication & newsletters via Email
____Check if announcements and updates only may be emailed but
Newsletters by US Mail
Check membership level and enter amount submitted
Memberships ____ Student (under 18) $10
Yearly ____ Individual $20
Jan. to Dec. ____ Couple (one address) $35
____ Patron $100 or more
Your membership means -------
You are interested in being a part of history
in Hampton County and want to preserve
its history
You are an important sponsor of the
Hampton County Museum @ the Old Jail
You will receive HCHS’s newsletters, as
well as notification of all events and pro-
grams
You may be as active/inactive as you wish.
BUT…. Volunteers are needed
You will have access to at least two special
programs each year
You are responsible for promoting dona-
tions of historical artifacts, materials &
family histories and for continuing your
interest & support. Keep it up.
Make check payable to HCHS
Mail to HCHS
P.O. Box 152
Hampton, SC 29924
AMOUNT SUBMITTED $ _________
*********************************************************************************************************
CONTACT INFORMATION
Hampton County Museum @ the Old Jail
&
Hampton County Historical Society 702 First St. West, Hampton
P.O.Box 152, Hampton, SC 29924
Email: [email protected]
Telephone 803-943-5484
For information or appointment contact Mary Ann Sowell 803-943-2528
LaClaire Laffitte 803-943-2215/6990
Email: [email protected]