Every year, South Carolina Humanities sponsors a Humanities Festival in a community in South Carolina. Established in 1993 in honor of South Carolina Humanities’ 20th Anniversary, the Humanities Festival has been held in 23 different communities. Each festival celebrates the local history and culture of the host community, engaging the citizens in lectures, discussions, films, and exhibits and facilitating partnerships among cultural organizations and community groups.
SC Humanities is pleased to announce that the 2024 Humanities Festival will be hosted by North Augusta. SAVE THE DATES: The festival will take place Thursday, September 12 – Saturday, September 14, 2024. Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay in the loop about the 2024 South Carolina Humanities Festival.3
Thursday, September 12, 2024
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Blue Jeans & Blue Grass Kick Off
Location: The Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
- Unveiling of the updated Historic Driving Tour Brochure
- Unveiling of the reprint of Don Rhodes’ book North Augusta (available in the Arts & Heritage Center gift shop)
- Jazz! Art Quilts in Performance on display in the Upper Gallery; “featuring African American Story Quilts of Dr. Marlene O’Bryant-Seabrook celebrating the American Jazz Era.” An opening talk will take place during the reception.
- Palmetto Park and Pond on display in the Upper Gallery
- Mackenzie Barfield – Weaving Through SC on display in the Main Gallery; “a collaborative weaving exploring the connectedness of people and communities, inspired by our region’s rich textile history”
- Motorkeg tap truck and food truck
- Music by The Henrys
Friday, September 13, 2024
11:00 a.m.
Lecture: The Hampton Terrace Hotel
Presented by George Forbes
Location: Council Chambers, North Augusta Municipal Building (third floor), 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
11:00 a.m.
Grants Writing Workshop for Cultural and Other Nonprofits
Presented by Dr. Randy Akers and T.J. Wallace of SC Humanities
Location: The Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
FREE, but registration is required. Call 803-441-4380
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tours of the Historic Charles Hammond House
Location: 908 W Martintown Rd, North Augusta, SC 29841
$15 admission
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tours of Lookaway Hall
Location: 103 W Forest Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tours of the Discovery Center in Edgefield
This historic building, once the home of Captain James Miller, has been transformed into a museum with state-of-the-art exhibits detailing Edgefield County’s diverse history.
Location: 405 Main St, Edgefield, SC 29824
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tours of Oakley Park in Edgefield
Oakley Park Museum offers collections that include the following topics: War of 1820, Mexican-America War, Second Seminole War, Nullification Crisis, Dave the Potter, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Spanish-American War.
Location: 300 Columbia Rd, Edgefield, SC 29824
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Makenzye Barfield’s Weaving Through SC
Makenzye Barfield will be on hand to discuss her weaving.
Location: The Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Tour of the Aiken County Historical Museum
Location: 433 Newberry Street SW, Aiken, SC 29801
FREE
RSVP at 803-642-2015
2:00 p.m.
Lecture: Reconstruction
Presented by Dr. Vernon Burton
Location: Council Chambers, North Augusta Municipal Building (third floor), 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
4:00 p.m.
Lecture: Edgefield Pottery
Presented by Tony Riley
Location: Council Chambers, North Augusta Municipal Building (third floor), 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Reception for the Annual North Augusta Artists Guild “Fall Into Art” Show and Sale
Location: The Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
Music by Fred Williams
Saturday, September 14
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
National Blue Bird Trail Talk & Display
Location: The Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Guided Historic Tours
Leaving on the hour from the Arts & Heritage Center, 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
$5.00 per person
Reservations must be made in advance by calling 803-441-4380
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Redcliffe Plantation and Beech Island Historical Society
Guided tours of Redcliffe at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., & 3:00 p.m.
Location: 181 Redcliffe Rd, Beech Island, SC 29842
Tours are $10 per person; the grounds are free
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Living History Park Open
The Living History Park is a recreated village representing the period between 1735–1785, run by the non-profit Olde Towne Preservation Association and volunteers.
Location: 299 W Spring Grove Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Community Mural Painting
with Adeana Berry at the Arts & Heritage Center. Bring the kids & let ’em paint!
Location: The Arts & Heritage Center of North Augusta, 100 Georgia Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Society House Tours
Location: Corner of Barton Road and Boylan Street, North Augusta
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tours of the Historic Charles Hammond House
Location: 908 W Martintown Rd, North Augusta, SC 29841
$15 admission
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Transforming Realism into Abstract Art
Location: Better World Studios, Historic Hickman Hall, 125 Marshall St, Graniteville, SC 29829
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Take the Trolley – Lecture and Activities
Presentation by Aiken County Historical Museum Director Lauren Virgo. Take an historic tour (via PowerPoint) of the trolley’s route from Augusta to Aiken. Fun activities for kids!
Location: 433 Newberry Street SW, Aiken, SC 29801
Free and open to the public
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
North Augusta Cultural Arts Council – Youth Showcase
Performances by area youth
Location: Amphitheater, 1009 Center St, North Augusta, SC 29841
Additional events and programs will be added in the coming weeks. Check back soon for the complete 2024 Humanities Festival schedule.
Previous Humanities Festival Hosts
2023 – Orangeburg County
2022 – Allendale County
2021 – Horry County
2019 – York County
2018 – Aiken
2017 – Gaffney
2016 – Beaufort
2015 – Camden
2014 – Walterboro
2013 – Summerville
2011 – Sumter
2010 – Chester
2009 – Bennettsville
2008 – Lake City
2007 – Newberry
2006 – Georgetown
2005 – Greenville
2004 – Winnsboro
2003 – Spartanburg
2002 – Pendleton
2001 – Florence
2000 – Beaufort
1999 – Aiken
1997 – Greenwood
1996 – Hartsville
1995 – Beaufort
1994 – Beaufort
1993 – Beaufort
Previous Humanities Festivals – Schedule of Events
2023 SC Humanities Festival – Orangeburg County – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | Website
2021 SC Humanities Festival – Horry County – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | PDF File
2019 SC Humanities Festival – York County – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | PDF File
2018 SC Humanities Festival – Aiken – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | PDF File
2017 SC Humanities Festival – Gaffney – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | PDF File
2016 SC Humanities Festival – Beaufort – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | PDF File
2015 SC Humanities Festival – Camden – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | PDF File
2014 SC Humanities Festival – Walterboro – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | PDF File
2013 SC Humanities Festival – Summerville – ARCHIVED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS | PDF File
For more information about the South Carolina Humanities Festival, please contact us.
