History & Genealogy

Kamschatka
Camden, SC 29020
When Confederate General James Chesnut built this house (c.1854), its then remote location from the town inspired him to name it "Kamschatka" (colloquial spelling) for one of the northernmost points in Siberia. He and his wife, Mary Boykin Chesnut, left this home when he was elected to the US Senate in 1858. This home was later owned by the William F. Buckley family. Private Residence.
Kershaw County Library
Genealogical research documents covering the State of South Carolina, with emphasis on Kershaw County, including cemetery records. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9 am-8 pm; Friday: 10 am-6 pm; Saturday: 10 am-2 pm; Sunday: 2 pm-5 pm. No paid researchers.
Lancaster County Library
Lancaster , SC 29720
Genealogical research documents covering mostly Lancaster and the surrounding counties. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9 am-8 pm; Friday: 9 am-5:30 pm; Saturday: 9 am-5 pm. No paid researchers.
Lancaster Cultural Arts Center
Lancaster, SC 29720
The first brick church built in the area, it remains as the oldest brick building in the county. Originally erected in 1862, this church replaced a wood structure built in 1835 on land purchased from Eliza Gill. The building is in early Gothic style architecture and has 16-inch thick walls of plaster that are marked to resemble stone. During the War, Sherman's soldiers stabled their horses inside the church. After the Presbyterian congregation built a church on Main Street in 1926, the building was used by various groups until it was sold to the Masonic Lodge. In 1976, ownership was transferred to the Lancaster County Society for Historic Preservation. Many of Lancaster's early community leaders are buried in the graveyard adjoining the church which also contains the graves of veterans of five wars. It was added to the National Register in 1977.
Lancaster Normal and Industrial Institute
Lancaster, SC 29720
The Lancaster Normal and Industrial Institute was founded on the former site of the Pettey School, which had been established in 1879 by the Reverend C. C. Pettey. Lancaster Institute began in 1887 as a boarding school for African-American students. The Institute provided elementary and advanced training for students preparing to become teachers and industrial workers. It was closed in 1923. None of the buildings remain. A historical marker was erected in 1977 by the Lancaster County Historic Commission on the former site.
Lancaster’s Wall of Fame
Lancaster, SC 29720
The Wall honors community natives who have contributed significantly to society. Included among the likenesses of Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, US astronaut, Charles Duke and others is Nina Mae McKinney, actress and Broadway star. Ms. McKinney was the first African-American actress to perform in a sound movie, Hallelujah, directed by the famed King Vidor (MGM Studios) in 1929. She also starred with the great Paul Robeson in the film, Sanders of the River in 1935. In 1938, Nina was inducted into the Black Film Makers Hall of Fame. Her singing, acting and dancing techniques served as a model for such successors as Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge. She died at age 54 in New York on May 3, 1967.
Lando
Richburg, SC 29729
The mill village of Lando has experienced over 253 years of history. Known as Walker's Mill during the American Revolution, the grist mill and surrounding area hosted British troops during the summer of 1780. Later known as White's mill in the early 1800's. Lando was one of the first fulling mills in the south. Benjamin Dawson Heath created Manetta Mills in 1896 and for almost 100 years made blankets that were sold all over the world under the Cannon and Lady Peppermill names, among others. The annual festival called "Lando Days" is held the first Saturday in October each year. The 1920's company store is now home to the Lando-Manetta Mills History Center which portrays the "mill village" way of life. Each room tells a different story about the mill, post office, barber shop, bank, doctors offfice, school house, store, and mill house. No admission is charged but donations are welcome. Hours of operation: 9:00 am - 12 noon, Mon & Wed; 2-5 pm, Sun. Other times by appointment. Handicap accessible.
Lebanon Presbyterian Church
Ridgeway, SC 29130
The Lebanon Presbyterian Church was organized in 1872 and had its beginnings as a brush arbor. Like many of the post Civil War African-American Presbyterian churches, Lebanon was originally governed by white elders. In the early 1900s under the direction of its pastor, Reverend J. McCoy, the church opened the first parochial school for African-American students in Fairfield County. The school had an enrollment of between 75 and 100 students and operated for six months during the year. It ceased to exist in 1933 when it was taken over by the county.
Lewisville Community Library: Clarence H. and Anna E. Luz Local History Room
Richburg, SC 29729
Genealogical research documents covering mostly Eastern Chester County and the Catawba River area. Hours: Monday-Friday: 10 am-6 pm; Saturday: 10 am-2 pm. No paid researchers.
Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
Liberty Hill, SC 29074
This church (c. 1851) features a bell from the original church and a solid mahogany tracker organ believed to be imported from England, one of the oldest in South Carolina still in regular operation. The current building was constructed in 1880. A historic cemetery (dating from 1841) where former South Carolina Governor, John Gardiner Richards, Jr. (1864-1941) and former US Congressman, James Prioleau Richards (1894-1979) are buried is located nearby.
Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections at Winthrop University
Genealogical research documents covering primarily York, Chester and Lancaster counties, but also information covering other areas of South Carolina and some relating to North Carolina,
Georgia and other southeastern states. Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8:30 am-5 pm; Friday: 8:30 am-noon, and by appointment other times. This is a repository for historically valuable records relating to the history of Winthrop University, women, and South Carolina. A number of the collections pertain to the Civil War and are available for research including diaries, letters, master rolls, publications, reminiscences, genealogical collections, scholarly research, photographs and other materials. No paid researchers, but simple searches by staff available for a small fee. Visitors can e-mail the archivist here and from the website. In the Dacus Library.
Mary Boykin Chesnut Plaque (Davega Building)
Chester, SC 29706
In March 1865, Mrs. Chesnut, the Civil War diarist, stayed in an apartment in this building for a few days. Some parts of her "Diary" were written during her stay. Location: Front of the Davega Building (Downtown Chester).
Mather Academy
Camden, SC 29020
This 19-acre site was the home of a multi-building campus of a private Methodist school for African Americans. It was established in 1867 by Sarah Babcock Mather who decided to create a school to teach children of former slaves for whom no formal educational institution existed. The Browning Home and Mather Academy opened a school with boarding facilities for girls in 1887. The original curriculum consisted of basic educational skills, instruction in social and family living and religion. Boys were enrolled for the first time in 1890 and the school had its first graduating class in 1893. In the 1930s Mather Academy was one of three schools in South Carolina to have a 12th grade. It merged with Boylan-Haven School of Jacksonville, Florida in 1959 and became known as the Boylan-Haven-Mather Academy. Mather had a peak student population of 300 in the 1940s-50s. The Academy produced some of South Carolina's most prominent African-American leaders in business, law, medicine and politics. One set of gates is all that remains of the campus. For more information on the school's history, reunion photos and more, visit the alumni website.
Matheson Library History Room
Cheraw, SC 29520
Genealogical research documents covering mostly Chesterfield County, some Darlington County (SC) and Anson County (NC). Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9 am-6 pm; Friday: 9 am-5 pm; Saturday: 10 am-2 pm. No paid researchers.
McBee Railroad Museum and Library
McBee, SC 29101
Built in 1914 by the Seaboard Air Line, this station was used for both passengers and freight until closing in 1971. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum shows what an early 20th century small town railroad depot was like. Tue & Thur: 10 am–1 pm and 2-5 pm. Other times by appointment. Free admission.