The South Carolina Tobacco Museum will offer a series of monthly walking tours from June – December 2024 that will look at elements of hidden or little-known history of the community and region. The first “It Happened in Mullins” tour will take place on Friday, June 28 at 6:00 p.m. SC Humanities supported this series with a Mini Grant.
“It Happened in Mullins” will include tales of town oddities, ghosts and legends, historic crimes and disasters, as well as uplifting tales of overcoming adversity. Some of the walking tours will include historical re-enactors, and the October event will feature author Sherman Carmichael talking about ghost stories of the region.
The scripts for the walking tours will also be adapted for use as a podcast and incorporated into the museum’s exhibits via sound boxes.
SC Tobaccos Museum Director Ronda Bain said, “We feel a historic walking tour will educate and engage residents and visitors about the unique history of Mullins as well as provide an opportunity for things to do locally after work. This walking tour and podcast will compliment current revitalization efforts and even encourage downtown business participation.”
The “It Happened in Mullins” walking tour series is presented by the South Carolina Tobacco Museum with support from the Greater Mullins Chamber of Commerce. Participants will learn about lesser-known tales of Mullins, such as stories of bank robbery, dueling merchants, counterfeiting, and even Bigfoot! The program is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Starting in August, the tour will include some new stories as well.
Upcoming tours:
Friday, June 28, 6:00 p.m., starting at the Mullins Depot (100 North Main Street, Mullins, SC). RSVP by calling 843-464-8194, emailing rbain@mullinssc.us, or completing the online form HERE.
Tuesday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. starting at the Mullins Depot (100 North Main Street, Mullins, SC). RSVP by calling 843-464-8194, emailing rbain@mullinssc.us, or completing the online form HERE.
The SC Tobacco Museum, which opened in August 1998, focuses on the growth of tobacco and rural farm life prior to 1950. The museum is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am – 12pm and from 1 – 4pm and on Wednesdays from 9am – 12pm. Learn more here: https://www.mullinssc.us/south-carolina-tobacco-museum.
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: 1950s Main Street in Mullins, courtesy of the SC Tobacco Museum
