History & Genealogy

African American Cultural Center of Camden
The center showcases African-American history in the town. Its mission is to highlight and foster the appreciation of the rich history of the African-American community of Camden and surrounding area. The center is a part of the Camden Archives and Museum system. Exhibits and programming are curated and operated by the Archives and Museum staff. Hours of operation: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1 pm - 4:30 pm, and Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. Closed major holidays. Admission is free.
Andrew Jackson State Park
Created as a memorial to the seventh president of the United States, the park features an Andrew Jackson Museum that details his boyhood in the South Carolina backcountry in the 18th century and a birthday celebration held each March in his honor. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 1–5 pm and by appointment. Other popular features include living history programs, an 18th-century replica schoolhouse, campground and picnic facilities, a fishing lake and nature trails. Hours of operation: 8am-6pm, daily from Nov.1-March 31; 9am-9pm daily April 1-Oct. 31. Museum hours: Sat & Sun, 1pm-5pm, M-F by appointment or when staff is available. Schoolhouse hours: Mid-March to November, Sat: 1pm-5pm and Sun: 2pm-5pm. Office hours: 11am-noon, daily. Self-guided tours of the park museum and schoolhouse are available during the hours when these facilities are open. Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Park entrance fee charged for ages 16 and older.
Blackstock Battlefield State Historic Site
This is the site where Gen. Sumter defeated the hated Col. Banastre Tarleton. This large battle was important for lifting backcountry morale and for encouraging Gen. Greene to send Continentals into the region, who two months later turned the tide of the Revolutionary War at Cowpens. Situated along the Tyger River in Union County, this beautiful property is home to a 2.5-mile segment of the Palmetto Trail that provides tremendous recreation potential along the river. Open daily from dawn until dusk.
Bonds Conway House
Camden, SC 29020
Visit the home built by Bonds Conway, believed to be the first African American in Kershaw County to buy his freedom. The house, circa 1812, currently serves as the office of the Kershaw County Historical Society. Groups welcome with prior arrangements. Open to the public Thursdays, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Other times by appointment.
Boykin Mill Farms
This is a working history “town” with an onsite water powered grits mill with 100+ year old equipment and other restored buildings including the Boykin Mill Store, the Swift Creek Church and the Mill Pond Steakhouse Restaurant. Ocassionally the Broom Place has handmade brooms, and gifts and crafts by local artisans.
Camden Archives and Museum
Camden, SC 29020
Found here is a treasure trove of artifacts that encourage visitors to discover history, depth and diversity of the region’s culture. The museum’s exhibits relate the stories of centuries past, while its archives is one of the state’s premier genealogical research facilities with material covering South Carolina and the Southeast. No paid researchers, but staff will do simple searches for a small fee. No admission fee. Open Mon-Fri: 8 am-5 pm, and Sat: 10 am-4 pm.
Camden Historic District
Camden, SC 29020
Featuring more than 60 historic sites, this National Register designated district is the essence of Camden. From cottages to spacious mansions, the district is the reflection of Camden's 250-year-old history ranging from the Revolutionary War era to the antebellum South to the winter residences established in the early 1900s. A self-guide book is available for purchase. Guided tours are also available.
Camden South Carolina Family History Center
Camden, SC 29020
Everyone is welcome to learn family history, scan photos, write stories, ask questions on research, or just for a quiet place to come and work on your family history. Areas covered are South Carolina and the United States. This is a branch facility of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT. Access to most of the microfilms and microfiche in Utah can be provided here. There are no paid rsearchers at local centers, but they are available at Family History Library in Salt Lake City, UT. Mailed requests not accepted. Closed the last two weeks in December. Hours are Tuesday and Wednesday 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm and the 2nd Saturday of the month, 8:00 am-noon. Send an e-mail for special appointments information.
Catawba Cultural Preservation Center
Rock Hill, SC 29730
The center maintains a living treasure of the tremendous worth, value and history of the Catawba Indian Nation. Housed in the old reservation schoolhouse, the exhibits include bark and 20th century dwellings, hunting scenes and pottery collections. Shop at the craft store which features Catawba pottery, jewelry, books and crafts. Follow the nature trail, an original wagon trail, to discover the scenic natural history of the Catawba reservation. The archives provide researchers the opportunity to view historic records, documents and photos. Craft classes and custom programs, including Catawba drumming and dancing are available upon request. Make plans to attend the Catawba Crafts Fair, held annually in November to find one of a kind, jewelry, children’s toys, and Catawba Pottery just in time for Christmas.
Cheraw Historic District
One of the first in South Carolina to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district's 213 acres contain more than 50 antebellum homes and churches and numerous Victorian ones. A free self-touring guide may be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce.
Cheraw Town Green
Part of the original town plan, the green is the site of a remarkable collection of 19th century public buildings all surrounded by charming turn-of-the-century commercial buildings. The Town Hall (c. 1858), Market Hall (c. 1837), and the Inglis-McIver Law Office (c.1830) join the Cheraw Lyceum Museum built around 1820 which houses exhibits on Cheraw's history (Free admission). The keys for the museum may be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office, Mon.-Fri. A Pee Dee River Artifacts Museum Room is just adjacent on the north side; the Theatre on the Green (c. 1920) on the south side of Market Street.
Chester County Historical Society Museum and Archives
Chester, SC 29706
Located in the old 1914 Chester County Jail, the museum includes notable collections of Native American artifacts and firearms from the Revolutionary Era to the present, period costumes, relics of the Civil War, including the Chester Gun, the world’s only firing Confederate-made 10-lb Parrott Rifle, the Henry O. Nichols Photography Collection, ghost tours, and much more. Memberships are available. Gift items for sale. Hours are 10 am–3 pm, TUESDAY – SATURDAY. Admission: $5 Adults, $3 seniors and students. Blue Star Museum members, active duty military and families admitted free year round. Private group (maximum fee: $50) and individual tours by appointment. (Downtown Chester--behind the courthouse).
Chester County Library (S. Lewis Bell Local History Room)
A great place to start or continue research on both genealogical and historic topics. Holdings include the Jean C. Agee collection of family genealogical materials for the Chester County area and the most complete collection of Chester newspapers on microfilm. Assistance is also available via phone. Also contains a list of known Confederate soldiers from Chester County, books listing Civil War era P.O.W.s and post war pardon applications, as well as other information of of interest. This facility's major focus for genealogical research is Chester and surrounding counties. The library and the local history room are open Monday-Friday: 10 am-6 pm (staffed) and 5 pm-7 pm (un-staffed). Also on Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm (un-staffed). No paid researchers. Ancestry.com is available. Located at the top of the hill across from City Hall.
Chester District Genealogical Society
Richburg, SC 29729
Largest genealogical society in the state with over 750 members. Has information for conducting research in Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Union and York counties. Paid researchers. Open Tuesdays, 8:30 am--noon; other times by appointment. Located in the Richburg Town Hall Building.
Chesterfield Genealogical Society and Research Library
Chesterfield, SC 29709
Has information for conducting research on South Carolina, specifically Chesterfield and surrounding counties; the Southeast; plus North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. No paid researchers. Sat: 10 am-3 pm. or by appointment. Located in the Chesterfield Visitors Center (Old Chesterfield County Courthouse).