Tom writes about the South, its people, land, culture, and nature. The author of seven books about South Carolina, he travels back roads looking for forgotten places, captivating people, and vestiges of bygone times, many of which appear in his columns and features. Much of that work finds its way into books. A Georgian and University of Georgia alumnus, he lives in Columbia where he writes about Georgialina, the region he calls his native land. In all, he’s written ten books and has three others underway. Governor Henry McMaster conferred The Order of the Palmetto upon Tom on October 26, 2018.
Click here for the application to have Tom Poland speak in your community.
Growing Up Southern Presented by Tom Poland. An illustrated, candid talk takes the audience back to 1950’s rural Georgia where Tom recalls momentous times hanging out at the local Confederate monument, days playing football, and summers on his granddad’s farm. It was there he spent days with his childhood best friend, Jesse Lee “sweetie Boy” … Read more
The Last Sunday Drive Presented by Tom Poland. (An illustrated talk) Tom brings back the Sunday drive with memories and sights to be seen today. Times were mom, dad and the kids would head out to see the countryside. Back in the Burma-Shave days, mom-and-pop drive-ins and gas station biscuits fed folks. Cheap gas filled … Read more
Carolina Bays—Wild, Mysterious, and Majestic Landforms Presented by Tom Poland. An illustrated talk based on Tom’s new book published by the USC Press … From Woods Bay State Park to Carolina bays in the coastal plain, Savannah River Site, Georgia, and North Carolina, Tom takes the audience on a journey to unique landforms some once … Read more
Mule Kick Murders, Black Magic, Sitting Up With The Dead, & An Old Cemetery Presented by Tom Poland. Hear how a mule kick killed eight people, how to murder with voodoo, why we used to sit up with the dead, and learn of a haunted French Huguenot Cemetery. Click here for the Speakers Bureau Application.
South Carolina Country Roads Presented by Tom Poland. “South Carolina Country Roads” takes readers on a journey down forgotten routes and lesser-traveled byways. Join Tom as he shares photos and discusses what he discovered along the 10,000 miles he drove deliberately avoiding the interstates. Discover the bones of the land, the DNA of real life—rural icons, … Read more
What The Shag Taught Me Presented by Tom Poland. Tom wrote Save The Last Dance For Me (USC Press), the story of how the blues evolved into beach music and how the shag evolved to become the state dance of North and South Carolina. What surprised him most while writing the history of the shag and the … Read more
Unforgettable People & Places Presented by Tom Poland. Tom shares experiences about the legendary Goat Man, a colonel who turned from war to camellias, a sweet man who ended up homeless, and an unforgettable teacher. Enduring places include adventures at a bus station as a ticket agent, filming a wildlife refuge’s lovely isolation, the smell … Read more
From Georgetown To Georgialina—The Enduring, Endearing South Presented by Tom Poland. The South our forebears knew lingers … rivers free of dams, old-timey religion camp meetings, classic BBQ haunts, old home places, rice plantations, a night on a primitive barrier island untouched by man, the High Hills of Santee, and a sentimental journey down US … Read more
How A Mule Kick Killed Eight People: A True Story Presented by Tom Poland. Tom’s habit of photographing old gas pumps at country stores had him cross paths with the grandson of a man killed for $500—murder for hire. The mayhem that ensued made history, involved Strom Thurmond, and led to eight people’s death, all … Read more
PO Box 5287
Columbia SC 29250
2711 Middleburg Drive
Suite 203
Columbia SC 29204
803-771-2477
