For Immediate Release:
May 13, 2025
Contact:
Olivia Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Culture & Heritage Museums
www.chmuseums.org
803.792.2572
June Events Honor Journey to Freedom
McCONNELLS, S.C. – Living History Saturdays in June honor the journey to freedom through hands-on learning, Juneteenth, and Independence Day activities.
June 7 – “A Sense of History: Art You Can See and Touch” Living History Saturday highlights the heritage of people of African descent through agricultural, artistic and cultural traditions. Guided toursbeginat 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. telling the stories of freedom, resistance, and resilience across generations of African Americans. A textile presentation on weaving and natural dyeing will take place at 12:30 p.m. and hands-on activities, such as natural dyeing and corn-husk doll making, will be ongoing throughout the day.
June 14- “Juneteenth” Living History Saturday focuses on the holiday’s history, local connections, and traditional ways of celebrating emancipation. Descendants of Brattonsville will share their unique stories, reflecting the legacy of both enslaved and free ancestors. A reading of General Order No. 3 followed by a guided African American history tour will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and visitors can create a commemorative booklet collecting recipes, dye samples, and historic documents from each station, for a take-home souvenir.
June 21 – “A Sense of History: Art You Can Smell and Hear” Living History Saturday celebrates the resilience and cultural heritage of the African American experience through the scents and sounds of blacksmithing, herbal and cosmetic arts, and call-and-response music performances. Guided site tours will begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. with music performances at 12:30 and 3 p.m.
June 28 – “Independence Day” Living History Saturday. Join the festivities of an 1850s Independence Day celebration. Hot air balloon launches will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and “Patriotic Musings” featuring guest-led toasts and readings from our nation’s founding documents will be at 12 and 3 p.m. A guided site tour, “Brattonsville’s African-American Community and the Pursuit of Liberty” will be at 1 p.m. Families and children are invited to try quill pen writing and participate in 19th century games.
WHAT: Living History Saturday events featuring Juneteenth and Independence Day
WHERE: Historic Brattonsville 1444 Brattonsville Rd. McConnells, S.C. 29726
WHEN: A Sense of History – June 7 and 21 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Juneteenth Celebration – June 14 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Independence Day Celebration –June 28 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
IMAGES:
- Making of a Juneteenth commemorative booklet at the dye station
- Historically dressed interpretive staff fill a hot air balloon at Independence Day
All images courtesy of Culture & Heritage Museums. Contact omitchell@chmuseums.org for high resolution images.
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