Arts & Culture
Union County Museum and Historical Society
Union, SC 29379
Housed in a beautifully restored 1923 building, the museum contains a broad collection of the county's history. Amassed over a period of more than one hundred years, artifacts include furniture, farm and textile equipment, pictures, portraits, personal items, several hundred photographs, pottery, glass, textiles, books and extensive archival materials. Every period of the county's history is represented. Included in the Military Exhibit are two of the three Civil War battle flags, which survived the war as the well as the table upon which the Ordinance of Secession was drawn up and signed; Pee Ridge Volunteers and Johnson Rifles which were at Appomattox; several uniforms including those belonging to General Wm. Wallace, General "States Rights" Gist and the parade/convention uniform of J. J. Eison are included along with swords and other weaponry, including one made in 1851 at the Palmetto Armory in Columbia; a pistol; books of the period as well as about the period; miscellaneous pictures, and artifacts belonging to Union blockade runners. Gift shop on premises where books, maps and other items of historical interest are available. An extensive land grant map book can be purchased as well as artwork by local artisans. Many of these items are one-of-a kind and are not available at any other location. Also genealogical research documents covering Union County primarily, with numerous resources from other counties in SC and other states. Limited African-American birth records from Union Community Hospital mid to late 20th century. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10 am-4 pm, 1st Saturdays: 1-4 pm. No paid researchers, but staff will perform limited research for a small fee.
Antiques at Hall’s
Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm, Sat: 8am-4pm. For that old time shopping experience, come see us in downtown Chester. We have many wonderful items including antique furniture, clocks, jewelry, linens, photos, and art glass, dating from the early 1800s through the 1950s.
Artist’s Attic (9 Artists Under One Roof)
A full-service studio and gallery, operated cooperatively, offering original fine art, limited edition prints, design work, framing and lessons. Commissions are welcome. Mon & Fri: 10-4 or by appointment.
Ashley Flynn
Ashley Flynn is a contemporary jewelry designer working with sterling silver, gold, and semi-precious stones. She is also a photographer, focusing on modern family photography. She offers art classes at her studio for children, as well. Please contact her with any questions or for more information about current classes. Hours vary, call for appointment.
Barbara Blackman, Blue Indigo Farm (Painting in All Media)
Blair, SC 29015
Her work can be divided into numerous genres. Surrealism is the main expression, however realism for portraits, social commentary and documentation are alternatives. By appointment.
Beth Wicker
Cheraw, SC 29520
Metalsmith, jewelry, painting, handmade paper and mixed-media fiber.
Bethune Pottery & Ornamental Concrete
Bethune, SC 29009
Turning out hundreds of pieces of concrete pottery each day, this five-acre site also carries on the 60-year-old Old Bethune Pottery's tradition of digging, processing and supplying Bethune clay to artists and classrooms across the state.
Betsy Skipper, Painter
Union, SC 29379
Betsy Skipper does landscape, still life and floral paintings in watercolor. Classes are taught in her home studio. She also does paintings of churches and makes prints and note cards for resale by the church. Most Tue and Thur 9:00-3:00.
Blair School of Realism
Blair, SC 29015
Dru Blair is an aviation airbrush artist whose realistic paintings dramatically portray subjects that salute man's greatest technological triumphs. His realistic aircraft paintings are often mistaken for photos. Four day workshops, are held on a scenic 100-acre campus that is part of Sumter National Forest. Students are housed on site in private bedrooms or suites and meals are available on campus. Normal office hours are 10:00 am-9:00 pm EST Mon-Sat.
Bob Hasselle, Pottery & Sculpture
Rock Hill, SC 29730
Bob Hasselle (MFA) is a potter and sculptor who taught at Ohio State University and Cincinnati Art Academy. He currently teaches pottery in York, SC. He has a studio of contemporary art. Most Mon-Thur 10-4 or by appointment.
Boulder Ridge Studio
Metalworking studio with metalsmith on site. Unique gifts and handcrafted jewelry. Jeanie Roundy, owner. Wed-Fri 12-6; Sat 11-3.
Boykin Furniture Company, Inc.
Camden, SC 29020
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9am-5:30pm; Sat: 9am-4pm. After hours by appointment. Custom-made furniture and reproductions using construction techniques such as hand-cut dovetails and mortise and tenon joints. Small section of antiques and vintage furniture.
Brainerd Institute
Chester, SC 29706
This was one of several educational institutions for freed slaves and their children started by the Board of Missions for Freedmen of the Presbyterian Church USA. Formally organized in 1868, Brainerd merged with Fairfield Institute (Winnsboro) in 1888. Brainerd was a feeder school for many colleges, including Benedict College and Johnson C. Smith University. The last class graduated in 1939. Today one building, Kumler Hall, remains on the 18-acre campus. In the late 1990s, actress Phylicia Rashad and her sister, dancer Debbie Allen answered the call for support. Rashad purchased the property in honor of their mother, Vivian Ayers Allen, who was in its last graduating class. Both Rashad and Allen continue to assist in programming and fundraising for the site now being preserved for the establishment of a cultural center. On the National Register of Historical Places.
Byrnes Auditorium, Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC 29733
Catawba Indian Nation
Rock Hill, SC 29730
The Catawba Indians have lived on their ancestral lands along the banks of the Catawba River dating back at least 6000 years. Before contact with the Europeans it is believed that the Nation inhabited most of the Piedmont area of South Carolina, North Carolina and parts of Virginia. Early colonial estimates of the Catawba population when settlers arrived are between 15,000-25,000. Early Catawbas lived in villages which were surrounded by a wooden palisade or wall. There was a large council house in the village as well as a sweat lodge, homes, and an open plaza for meetings, games, and dances. The homes were rounded on top and made of bark. The dwellings were small with extended families living in a single structure. Catawbas were farmers. They planted crops like corn and squash along the banks of the river. They also fished and hunted. The Catawbas were a large and powerful group and waged war with neighboring tribes, especially the Cherokee.
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