The Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina will unveil a new exhibit titled Cultivating Legacies: The Story of Black Americans in South Carolina’s Agriculture with a grand opening on Friday, March 28. The exhibit seeks to chronicle the importance and role of Black farmers in South Carolina from enslavement to the modern day. SC Humanities supported the exhibit with a Major Grant.
Cultivating Legacies: The Story of Black Americans in South Carolina’s Agriculture highlights the resilience, innovation, and significant contributions to the state’s agricultural development by black farmers. This narrative not only explores the historical challenges faced by Black farmers, including land dispossession and systemic discrimination, but it also celebrates their ongoing legacy in shaping the agricultural landscape through perseverance, community-building, and a deep-rooted connection to the land.
The exhibit will have a grand opening and reception on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Museum of South Carolina, 120 History Ln, Pendleton, SC 29670.
The Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina is committed to the interpretation and preservation of South Carolina’s agricultural heritage, and the impact and importance of agriculture to current and future culture and economies. Exhibits at the museum focus not only on the history of agriculture, but how that legacy affects modern and future agricultural practices and healthy living. The museum hosts workshops, classes and demonstrations on agriculture-related skills. Learn more: https://www.bgamsc.org/.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c)3 organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos, and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. South Carolina Humanities receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation and individual donors. The National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.
Image: Anderson County Farmer, Horace Williams Collection, Pendleton District Historical Commission
