Historic Brattonsville’s Brick House officially opens to the public on November 23, 2021 with dual exhibits – “Liberty & Resistance: Reconstruction and the African American Community at Brattonsville 1865-1877” and the recreated interior of the Brattonsville Store, circa 1871. SC Humanities supported this project with a Major Grant.
The Brick House sets the stage for telling an important, but difficult story of the local community during the Reconstruction Era. “Liberty & Resistance” documents the story of Captain James Williams in a series of text panels with historical images, artifacts and a commissioned portrait. Captain Williams was lynched in 1871. In the adjacent room, the Brattonsville Store has been replicated to look as it did in 1871 when N. B. Bratton was the store’s proprietor.
Due to the sensitive nature of the story, Culture & Heritage Museums worked with descendants of James Williams for vetting and approval of the exhibit “Liberty & Resistance: Reconstruction and the African American Community at Brattonsville 1865-1877.” Along with the Williams’ family, Historic Brattonsville’s Community Advisory Group on African American Programming and representatives from South Carolina African American Heritage Commission were engaged in authenticating the exhibit’s narrative.
The Brick House opens on on November 23 during normal site hours; however, the Brick House and entire site at Historic Brattonsville will be closed Nov. 25 & 26 for Thanksgiving. The cultural site is located at 1444 Brattonsville Rd, McConnells, SC 29726 in York County. Historic Brattonsville’s general hours are Tues. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sun.1 p.m. – 5 p.m.; closed on Mondays & Holidays. It is recommended that visitors check the website for special hours, up to date information, and other potential changes at chmuseums.org. For general admission, purchase tickets online at chmuseums.org: Adults $8; Seniors $7; Youth $5; Free for CHM Members & under 3.
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 21-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or 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.
