History & Genealogy

The museum is a three-story 1830 Federal-style former home and ladies’ boarding school that was run by Catharine Ladd (1850-1870). Now a museum of local history, it houses collections spanning the area’s pre-history up until the early 20th century. Please call for information on current and upcoming programs. Genealogical records are located on the 2nd floor. Free admission. Open for tours: Mon–Fri: 10 am–5 pm, Sat: 10 am--2 pm. I-77, exit 34 or 48. Address mail to P.O. Box 6, Winnsboro, SC 29180. Follow the museum on FaceBook, also. Check out the film series based on the museum’s award-winning oral history project here. 

Take a step back in time with a visit to the Boykin Mill Pond community where grain is ground at the restored mill or watch as brooms are hand-made on 100 year-old original equipment at the Broom Place. Home of the Battle of Boykin’s Mill, this location has been named one of the top 10 Carolinas’ Civil War sites by Clint Johnson in his book, “Touring the Carolinas’ Civil War Sites”. Nearby is Swift Creek Baptist Church where generations of worshippers lifted their voices in prayer and Boykin Mill Store. Groups welcome and tours available.

The Historic Camden Foundation is a private 501(c)3 non-profit museum whose mission is to protect, preserve, and celebrate Camden’s extraordinary Colonial and Revolutionary War history. 107 acres sit atop the original 18th-century property of the city’s founder Joseph Kershaw and the fortified Revolutionary War-era town occupied by British General Cornwallis and Lord Rawdon’s men from 1780-81. General admission and self-guided tour prices are available on the website. Hours are Tue-Sat: 10am-5pm; Sun: 1-5pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Guided tours at 10:30am and 2:30pm.
 

John Craig, Esquire, whose family originated in southwestern Scotland, immigrated to South Carolina from Northern Ireland in 1772. After receiving a land grant in Lancaster County from King George III, Craig bought this land in 1773. John Craig, Esquire and several of his sons fought in the Revolutionary War battles that occurred in the vicinity. The current Craig House dates from the early 1830s, and was originally a federal-style farmhouse. In 1901, it was significantly enlarged with a Victorian front addition by John Edgar and Amanda Drennan Craig, who were married in 1883 at Kilburnie, then the residence of the Drennans. Craig House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. The fields and woods surrounding historic Craig House are all part of pre-Civil War Craig Farm, which included more than a thousand acres. Craig Farm today consists of close to 400 acres and is operated as a cattle farm.

Built in 1828, this facility is a significant works by Robert Mills who is best known as the designer of the Washington Monument. The courthouse had been in use as the county’s courthouse for over 180 years until an arsonist attempted to burn the building in August 2008. It has been renovated to its original grandeur and now houses the Lancaster County Welcome Center & Gift Shop and the county's Historical Museum  (open 10 am-2 pm  Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as by appointment).   

The society houses exhibits focusing on the county's history. There is also a gift shop, and a museum. Mon-Fri.: 10am-4pm. Located in the Chesterfield Visitors Center (Old Chesterfield County Courthouse).