Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the gristmill at this site was guilt in 1898 as a cottonseed oil mill and converted to flower and grist mill in the 1920′s.  This is one of the few remaining gristmills in the state.

Grist mill is a tern used to describe a mill that grinds any type of grain.  The power for these mills was provided by the creek or river that they were built on that allowed the water to turn the wheel that turned the grinding stone to grind the grain to flour. There were a few mills powered by wind of by livestock but a watermill is the most common.  In a watermill a sluice gate is opened to allow water to flow onto, or under, a water wheel to make it turn. In most watermills the water wheel was mounted vertically, i.e., edge-on, in the water, but in some cases horizontally (the tub wheel and so-called Norse wheel).

n most wheel-driven mills, a large gear-wheel called the pit wheel is mounted on the same axle as the water wheel and this drives a smaller gear-wheel, the wallower, on a main driveshaft running vertically from the bottom to the top of the building. This system of gearing ensures that the main shaft turns faster than the water wheel, which typically rotates at around 10 rpm.

The millstones themselves turn at around 120 rpm. They are laid one on top of the other. The bottom stone, called the bed, is fixed to the floor, while the top stone, the runner, is mounted on a separate spindle, driven by the main shaft. A wheel called the stone nut connects the runner’s spindle to the main shaft, and this can be moved out of the way to disconnect the stone and stop it turning, leaving the main shaft turning to drive other machinery. This might include driving a mechanical sieve to refine the flour, or turning a wooden drum to wind up a chain used to hoist sacks of grain to the top of the mill house. The distance between the stones can be varied to produce the grade of flour required; moving the stones closer together produces finer flour.

The grain is lifted in sacks onto the sack floor at the top of the mill on the hoist. The sacks are then emptied into bins, where the grain falls down through a hopper to the millstones on the stone floor below. The flow of grain is regulated by shaking it in a gently sloping trough (the slipper) from which it falls into a hole in the center of the runner stone. The milled grain (flour) is collected as it emerges through the grooves in the runner stone from the outer rim of the stones and is fed down a chute to be collected in sacks on the ground or meal floor. A similar process is used for grains such as wheat to make flour, and for maize to make corn meal.

In order to prevent the vibrations of the mill machinery from shaking the building apart, a gristmill will often have at least two separate foundations.

The Dorn Mill Center for History & Art contains original steam engines and equipment which were powered by sawdust and wood chips from the Dorn Lumber Yard.

Address:
200 N Main ST POP Box 425
McCormick, SC 29835

Dorn Mill Center For History & Art – McCormick, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

This is a unique museum dedicated to the accurate portrayal of the tragic periods in American History from 1861-1865, the time of the American Civil War.  The museum is the home to numerous artifacts and displays portraying the war and home life in the South during this time in history.

The museum of the 16th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, Museum of Confederate History was established to protect, preserve and defend the memory, history and heritage of the 250,000 Confederate soldiers who died during the War Between the States.  It is focused on giving a true and accurate historical perspective of the War period in an educational manner as well as to preserve the cultural heritage and artifacts of the South.  There is an extensive research library in conjunction with the Museum.

The Main Gallery is the home to an extensive collection of arms, artifacts and documents of this period.  Both the Army and the Navy are represented.  The Museum features the rare Morse Carbine, manufactured in Greenville during the war. Another rare piece is the Le Mat pistol. There is also a rare 1850′s piano that is believed to have arrived in South Carolina after running the blockade.  This is a beautiful piano with the decorative bench seat.

There is a scale model of the Hunley submarine which was the first successful combat submarine in the world.

The Heritage Room is the home to one of the few remaining original copies of the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession.  The room is also home to artifacts of the soldier life including uniforms and medical instruments.

During the early months of the war the Confederate soldier often wore their former Union uniforms and one of these is also on display.  The medical instruments and supplies showcased in this room show how little the surgeons had to work with to try to save the lives of the injured.  Supplies ran short frequently and lives were lost in the hospitals due to the shortages.  Not only were supplies short but the germs that flowed freely during this time were guilty of causing thousands of soldiers.  Medical science didn’t understand the affect of germs and contamination in the early days.

The Vance Drawdy Library is the research arm of the Museum.  It contains the entire roster of Confederate soldiers and numerous regimental histories.  There is also a copy of the Official Records of the War as published by the US Government.  If you have an interest in finding true history of this time you will want to spend some time in this area of the facility. 

Enter the Tingle Documents and Currency Room and see both the Confederate currency and newspaper and magazine articles from the time of the War.  Confederate currency was issued by both the Confederate government and state banks.

The Home Front Room contains artifacts and displays of life in the homes of those left behind when the men went to war.  Whether they lived on the farm or in town the life was hard.  There are articles of women’s clothing and accessories on display.

Hall of Honor is where the Museum has the flags of the Confederacy and numerous photographs of Confederate soldiers in their uniforms.  Among the photographs are soldiers of the 16th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry which was recruited from Greenville county and black Confederate soldiers. Over 65,000 black Confederates served in uniform during the War for Southern Independence.  Notice the picture with both white and blacks sitting at the same table during this vet reunion photo.

There is a museum shop for you to browse through and see if you find something that is of interest to you.

Address: 15 Boyce Avenue, Greenville, SC, 29601

Telephone: 864-421-9039

Email: confedmuseum@att.net

Directions: Follow I-385 into Greenville. After the freeway stops, turn left at the first light onto Boyce Avenue. The museum is 1 1/2 blocks on the right at 15 Boyce Avenue.

Parking is available in the rear of the building.

Admission to the museum is FREE

Museum and Library of Confederate History – Greenville, SC is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

It was here, on November 22, 1860, on Secession Hill in Abbeville, that the first meeting was held to launch South Carolina’s secession from the United States of America. One month later, the state of South Carolina became the first state to secede. For years the war ravaged the county, thousands were injured or killed and lives ruined.  Plantations were burned, livelihoods destroyed and in the end, the slaves freed.

This tragic period in history began in Abbeville and ended at the Burt Stark Mansion on May 2, 1865, less than a month after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, the war council of the Confederate forces met with President Jefferson Davis and disbanded the armies. Present at this meeting were cabinet members Benjamin, Mallory, Reagan and Breckinridge and five Brigade Commanders, Ferguson, Dibrell, Vaughn, Duke and Breckinridge. 

It was at this meeting that President Davis was convinced by his generals and Cabinet that the Southern resources were exhausted had that to continue the battle would only bring more misery to the region.  President Davis finally admitted, “All is indeed lost.”

The mansion was built in the 1830′s by David Lesley, planter, lawyer and Abbeville District judge.  He had the mansion built in the Greek revival style.

The construction of the house was supervised by Cubic, a slave and master carpenter.  Story has it that the Lesleys saw a house on a trip north and patterned this house on that one.  They sent Cubic north to study the house before construction began.

The house is a two-story white frame structure with four square columns supporting the pediment front portico, two stories height and extending across the central section of the house.  There are ornamental supports to give the house a more gracious feel.  Beneath the pediment is a small second=story balcony with wooden latticework.  There is a floor-height window opening onto the main portico on either side of the front door.

The main entrance is a central great hall with an Adam fanlight.  A drawing room opens on each side of the entrance where the wide double door to each of these rooms could be opened permitting the use of the entire front area a s a ballroom.

Upstairs the most significant bedroom was the one located in the northeast and the northwest corners of the house which were used by President Davis in 1865.

Today it is furnished with Southern antiques, including furniture, silver, crystal, rugs and paintings.  The dining room with its plantation hunt board shows the hospitality for which the home was always known.

A first floor bedroom and four upstairs bedrooms are furnished in the early 19th century mode with marble-topped dressers, hand-carved chests, and tester beds with hand-made coverings.  The desk of the home’s first owner stand in the upstairs hall.

The grounds have some of the original plantings such as boxwood-bordered walks which extend from the broad piazzas at the side and rear of the house.

Tours: Allow 60 minutes per tour.
Cost: $10 per person.

Days and Hours of Operation: F-Sa 1-5pm year round and by appt.
Days and Holidays Closed: Closed January and major holidays

Location: 400 N Main ST
Abbeville,SC 29620

Phone: (864) 366-0166

Burt-Stark Mansion – Abbeville, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

Even the kids who come to town will have a blast when they visit the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry. It is a great place for kids to have fun and learn. The kids will find eight interactive areas that they can explore at the museum.

Creativity Castle

At the Creativity Castle, children will be able to explore their artistic side and work on some paintings, drawings, and more. This is a fun place that all the little ones will love.

Castle Stories

Here the children can play dress up in a medieval world and learn all about mythical heroes such as King Arthur. Kids will be able to let their imaginations run wild here. They can even put on their own puppet show in the castle theater.

Raceways

In this section of the museum, kids can learn about motion, speed, and gravity all while having a great time. They can race golf balls down slides and through chutes and have fun while they are still learning.

Waterwise

At the Waterwise exhibit, children will learn all about the water cycle and get a chance to see how important water is in our everyday lives. It is educational, and it gives kids a chance to have some watery fun!

Lowcountry Shrimping

One of the most important industries in the area is shrimp fishing, and this exhibit offers the little ones a chance to learn about how fishing boat works. They can climb aboard the 30-foot replica, and even try their hand at tossing out a net.

Totally Toddler

Toddlers and infants alike are welcome here. It offers a place to play, relax, and develop motor skills.

The Children’s Garden

The kids will learn all about different plants and herbs in the Children’s Garden. It gives them a chance to get a little dirty and learn all about planting.

Charleston Market

Children can learn about shopping for healthy food, as well as all of the math that is required when going to the grocery store.

Admission for children and adults is $7, and those little ones who are under a year old are free. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 5PM, and on Sunday from 1PM to 5PM.

25 Ann ST
Charleston,SC 29403
Phone: (843) 853-8962
Fax: (843) 853-1042

Childrens Museum of the Lowcountry – Charleston, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

Horses and carriages are very important to the past and the present of the town, and visitors will certainly notice that as they explore the town and many of the attractions there. It is very much a part of the locals’ life.

One of the places that many people visit when they want to get a real slice of the area’s historical past is the Carriage Museum at Rye Patch. The museum was once a carriage house owned by the prominent Rogers family. Clifford S. Gerde started the museum because of his love for the old carriages. He was a member of the Aiken Driving Club and restored carriages to their working conditions. It was only natural for Gerde to start a museum.

The Aiken Driving Club has some very notable carriages for visitors to see while touring the museum. Included are a Pony Phaeton, the 3-Seat Surrey from 1900, a 1905 Village Cart, a 1910 Rockaway, and an 1890 Buckboard Phaeton. Even if you don’t know what all of those carriage names mean now, you certainly will after completing your tour.

The Carriage Museum is a very affordable place for the entire family to visit – it’s free! However, in order to take a tour of the museum, you need to call to set up an appointment. The museum is open most days, although it is closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Junior Day, Good Friday, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Guests can set up appointments between 10AM and dusk.

The Carriage Museum is a great place for people to learn about the history of the area in regards to the transportation system, the carriages that were once in use all around the country. Everyone who visits the town of Aiken for a vacation should put the Carriage Museum on his or her itinerary.

100 Berrie RD
Aiken,SC 29801
Phone: (803) 642-7631
Fax: (803) 642-7639
 

Carriage Museum – Aiken, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

The museum, which reopened in 2003, has a mission to collect and exhibits, artifacts, and items that best illustrate the long history of Anderson County. This is very important to preserving the cultural heritage of the area. Many people, from schoolchildren to people on vacation, come to the museum to have a good time and learn. The museum has even won an Achievement Award for all of its efforts in preserving the history of Anderson County.

The 26,000 square foot building, which is located Greenville Street in Anderson, has 12,000 feet of exhibit space. The museum houses a number of permanent exhibits, all of which help to paint the picture of what life was like in the area in the past.

Some of the popular permanent exhibits include a look at how electricity came to the area, as well as how important of a part of life agriculture really was. Other exhibits include tributes to textiles, the military and warfare, the hall of fame, a hot air balloon, and the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor.

You can even take a tour of the museum and have a professional and knowledgeable guide take you around and explain many of the different artifacts to you. The museum is very popular with school groups as well, and many programs are available to help children get a better grasp of history by seeing and experiencing parts of history in a hands-on fashion.

Some of the popular programs that people who come to the museum and partake in are the Introduction to the Anderson County Museum, Daybreak at the Cowpens, and programs that go into great detail about the Confederate army in the Civil War.

The museum is open from 10AM until 7PM on Tuesdays, and from 10AM to 4PM on Wednesday through Saturday.

Don’t forget to check out the gift shop as well so you can pick up a souvenir by which you can remember your trip to Anderson!

202 East Greenville ST
Anderson,SC 29621
Phone: (864) 260-4737

Anderson County Museum – Anderson, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

Completed in 1859, the Greek Revival mansion was once home to Senator James Hammond, as well as his descendants. Unfortunately, he was known for his pro slavery stance and saying "Cotton is King." In 1973, the estate was donated to the people of South Carolina by the descendants of the outspoken senator.
This site is very popular for schoolchildren to visit, and it offers a number of programs to help people to learn more about the plantation and life there long ago. One of the programs provides a very detailed look into the lives of the people who lived on the plantation, both the plantation owners as well as the slaves. People get to examine some artifacts from the antebellum era as well.

Visitors will also enjoy walking amid the gardens and exploring the grounds around the mansion, as well as some of the historical outbuildings.

If you and the family enjoy hiking, you are going to want to take a walk along the lovely hiking trail that meanders through a portion of the park. The trail, which is approximately two miles long, provides photographers with plenty of opportunities for great shots as well.

You can even bring your dog with your if you just can’t bear to leave Fido home alone. However, you need to keep the dog on a leash that is no longer than 6 feet and under your control at all times – and make sure you clean up after your animal. Of course, the dogs are not allowed in the mansion or any of the buildings

Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop as well. You can find quite a few interesting souvenirs here, as well as some books that will give you an even better understanding of the history of the area. Everyone will be able to find something at the shop to commemorate his or her visit.

A visit to the Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site is sure to provide you and your family with an interesting, fun, and educational look at the historic site.  Redcliffe is located just 10 miles away from Augusta, Georgia and 70 miles from Columbia, South Carolina. You can find several hotel accommodation options for Augusta on HotelsCombined.com.

181 Redcliffe RD
Beech Island,SC 29842
Phone: (803) 827-1473

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site – Beach Island, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

However, visitors and locals will find that Aiken has a whole lot more to offer than just historical places and horses.

The Observatory is located in a small building housed with some of the most up to date equipment available, including a Newtonian telescope. The staff that operates the observatory is very knowledgeable and will be able to answer all questions that come to the youngsters’ minds.

The programs put on by the observatory, while interesting for adults, are certainly geared toward a younger crowd. The programs teach some basic science and astronomy to give people a better idea of what they are looking at while looking through the telescope.

The observatory is a very popular place for groups of children from schools to visit. If planning to bring a group of children up to the observatory for an evening of learning about the stars, you should be aware that at least three adults must accompany the group.

The Boyd Observatory is open every Friday night, and the programs start promptly at 8PM, so guests are encouraged to arrive early. The observatory can hold a maximum of twelve people, so it is a good idea to make your reservations early.

While walk-ins are allowed, there is always a chance that the observatory will be full. This also means that if you don’t sign up for a program you will have to wait until all of the registered participants have already had their turn to look through the telescope.

The programs on Friday night are completely free, and it makes a nice outing for the family and anyone who wants to learn more about the heavenly bodies in our sky. The only time that you will find the observatory closed on a Friday night is when the weather doesn’t permit good viewing.

If you or anyone in the family has even a passing interest in astronomy and you are in the Aiken area, you should do yourself a favor and head up to the observatory on a Friday night. There are several hotel accommodations available in the area at HotelsCombined.com.

SC 302
SRS’s Operations and Recreation Assn Complex
Aiken,SC 29802
Phone: (803) 642-0314

Boyd Observatory – Aiken, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

When it comes to accommodations, honeymooners can choose from a variety of styles. One can find houses for rent that are right on the beach, or full service resorts that offer all of the amenities. If budget is of concern, vacationers will find a number of hotels that are priced well and still offer beautiful accommodations.

No one will lack for things to do while in Hilton Head. Many enjoy riding bikes along the hard-packed beaches, as well as the nature trails. Travelers don’t have to bring their own bike to the island either, as they can find plenty of bike rental facilities on the island.

The beach also offers plenty of opportunities for snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving, as well as a host of other water sports.

Another place that visitors will want to see is the Harbour Town Lighthouse. It is a romantic setting, and offers an impressive view of the south end of Hilton Head Island. If you enjoy museums, the area offers several.

Vacationers can visit the Coastal Discovery Museum, which has both indoor and outdoor exhibits, as well as 11 tours and cruises around the island. It is a fun and unforgettable way to learn about and see the island. Another museum is The Sandbox, which has a number of interactive exhibits.

Of course, some might just want to spend the days relaxing on the beach with their significant other and then head out to one of the many fine restaurants scattered across the island. Whatever their taste buds desire, they will be sure to find a number of restaurants that cater to their tastes. From steak and seafood to pizza and fast food, the island has everything.

Hilton Head has a lot to offer honeymooners in the way of nightlife as well. Visitors can see performances at the Hilton Head Dance Theater, or at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. The island also has dance and nightclubs as well, if honeymooners would rather be the ones dancing that watching it on stage.

HotelsCombined.com offers a number of accommodation options online.

South Carolina Honeymoon – Hilton Head, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

The group of men who assaulted his father was part of the Phoenix Riots, and because Benjamin grew up in an environment that promoted segregation and hatred, he vowed that he wanted to make a difference in the African American community.

In 1916, he graduated from high school as a valedictorian, and attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine to further his education. He graduated with honors in 1920. Wanting to do more with his education, he attended the University of Chicago and received his Master’s degree in 1925. He became a professor at Howard University, and then gained his doctorate (in philosophy) from the University of Chicago.

He later became president of Morehouse College, where he increased enrollment and the environment for the students. He was also the spiritual and emotional mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mays died in 1984 at the age of 89.

Benjamin Mays was a key figure in the promotion of equality and civil rights, and his childhood home is one of the most important places in all of South Carolina, especially when it comes to African American civil rights.

Great efforts are currently underway to preserve as much of this man’s history as possible. The Dr. Benjamin Mays Historical Site will have many buildings and artifacts associated with his life.

The site will contain an original single room schoolhouse used by African Americans when Mays himself was a child. Visitors will also be able to visit the interpretive center, which will contain documents and artifacts from his life. Perhaps the most important building in the collection will be the actual house where Mays spent his childhood.

His father stood in front of this very house in front of when Benjamin was just a child and bowed to the mob so his family would not be hurt. This important place holds some very dark memories, and it is very moving to know that such an important and compassionate man emerged from such humble beginnings.

Visitors to the historic site will be able to learn about many of the different civil rights leaders and important events in African American history.

Benjamin Mays Historic Site – Greenwood, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

A part of the South Carolina Aquarium, the Sea Turtle Hospital is a very important part of the conservation of this beautiful and wonderful marine creature. Sea turtles share beaches with humans on a regular basis. Partly because of their close contact to humans, the turtles sometimes become sick or injured.

To help these amazing creatures, the South Carolina Aquarium created the Sea Turtle Rescue Program. Now, whenever a wounded or ill sea turtle is found along the South Carolina coast, it is brought to the Sea Turtle Hospital. While at the hospital, the turtle is nursed to health by team dedicated to the safety and recovery of the turtles.

You can even take a "behind the scenes" tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital. While on the tour, you get to see the type of special care that the injured and ill sea turtles receive from some of the best and most dedicated specialists and volunteers in the business.

At the hospital, you will also get to meet the patients – the sea turtles! While you visit the turtles, the staff and volunteers will tell you the ailments and injuries from which the turtles suffer, as well as all the types of treatment and care that the turtles are receiving. In addition, you will also hear about all of the different success stories that came from the 25 turtles that already were released from the hospital

The staff will also make sure the visitors understand just how important these turtles, as well as all the world’s creatures are in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. You can also learn all you can do to keep the local turtles happy and healthy and how you can donate to the turtles recovering in the hospital.

The tour is a great way to help children (and adults) to understand just how important conservation and clean ocean efforts truly are. Not only that, but the tours are both interesting and fun. It is well worth the trip, and you can spend part of your day at the aquarium and then take your tour.

The tours are half and hour long, and operate Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. All tours start at 1 PM. Admission for the tour is $10 for adults and $5 for children aged 2 – 12. Because these tours are very popular, it is a good idea to call ahead for reservations. You can call (843) 579-8600 for advanced tickets.

100 Aquarium Wharf ST
Charleston,SC 29401
Phone: (843) 720-1990
Fax: (843) 720-3861
Toll Free: (800) 722-6455

Sea Turtle Hospital – Charleston, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has many different attractions and it has been one of the most visited vacation spots in the United States for decades. One popular destination is Ripley’s Aquarium. In fact, it is one of the most visited attractions in Myrtle Beach. The aquarium is located at Broadway at the Beach and is a fun place for children and adults.

The aquarium, which cost more than $40 million, was created to encourage people to become educated about the various marine creatures that exist around the world, and to understand the importance of conservation. The facility achieves this goal by providing a fun and interesting environment where people can learn.

When inside, you can take a self-guided your of the aquarium and take as much time as you want with the exhibits. Throughout the day, you will find a number of live presentations on the upper level. Also on the upper level, you can touch the stingrays and see some of the ever-changing traveling exhibits. There are many things to see and do.

Ray Bay

In the Ray Bay, you can view many different kinds of rays from a variety of viewing levels. See them from above and below and watch them glide effortlessly through the water.

Friendship Flats

Kids and adults will both love getting up close to a number of different creatures. In fact, you can get so close that you can actually touch the creatures! You can touch several different types of rays (Southern rays, Atlantic rays, Cownose rays, and Spotted Eagle rays) as well as Bonnet-Head sharks.

Rainbow Rock

View many different kinds of interesting and colorful fish through the large glass walls in this section of the aquarium. The fish come from the waters around Hawaii, Australia, and from the Indian Ocean. It is a relaxing and remarkable experience.

Rio Amazon

In this freshwater exhibit, you can come face to face with the fearsome piranha, as well as many other interesting species from the Amazon.

The Living Gallery

You can find a number of sea creatures here. The animals featured as "living art" include sea dragons, jellyfish, and a Pacific Giant Octopus. You will see a plethora of amazing sea animals here.

Schooling Fish Tank

This cylindrical tank holds a number of fish species native to the waters off South Carolina’s coast. It is interesting to see the variety of life.

The Dangerous Reef

One of the most popular parts of the aquarium is the Dangerous Reef. While walking through this long, underwater tunnel, you will come face to face with some massive sharks and other species.

Ripley’s Aquarium admission for adults is $18.99, children 6 – 11 $11.99, and children 2 – 5 are $3.99. You will always find something fun to see and do.
 

Ripley’s Aquarium – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

Located on 6 Chalmers Street, one of the last cobblestone streets in Charleston, South Carolina, is a building that recalls a dark part of American history. The Old Slave Mart is the only remaining building in the United States where people bought and sold slaves, and it was once part of a much larger complex.

In 1878, people renovated the building and turned into a tenement dwelling. It again changed hands in 1938, when Miriam B. Wilson bought the building and turned it into a museum of the history of African Americans, as well as arts, crafts, and much more. The Old Slave Mart was the first such museum of its kind.

The permanent exhibitions are divided into two main sections.

In the Orientation Area, guests to the museum will be given an introduction to the slave trade. They will learn the history of slavery and slave trading in the United States, as well as how the first slaves crossed the Atlantic. It is a sad, interesting, and eye opening experience.

Also in the orientation area, visitors will learn the details of how slave trading actually worked as well as the ramifications it had on society, economics, and the politics of the day.

In the Exhibit Area, visitors can see the process of the slave trade as documented by slave traders, buyers, and the African Americans who were bought and sold. You get to see what a "typical" day would have been like at the slave auction.

Guests can also see personal letters, documents, artifacts, as well as audio and video presentations that help to give a sense of reality to what happened there so long ago. By learning about the real people who were involved in these activities (on every level, from trader to slave), the visitors can get a better idea of how life was.

You can also visit the upstairs gallery at the Old Slave Mart, which features more artifacts as well as part of a special exhibit called Lest We Forget: The Triumph over Slavery. You can also find some local craftwork and arts in the upstairs gallery.

The Old Slave Mart Museum is an important part of American history, and it is somewhere that everyone who travels to Charleston should take some time and see. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission for adults is $7, seniors $5, and children under 16 are $5.

6 Chalmers ST

Charleston,SC 29401

Old Slave Mart Museum – Charlston, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

One of the most recent additions to the wonderful playground of Myrtle Beach is Hard Rock Park. It is the world’s first rock & roll themed amusement park, and it is great fun for people of all ages. You can find a great mix of rides, attractions, and shows at the park.

Hard Rock Park has several different sections, each of which is themed to a specific area of music (and of course, the entry plaza). Each area of the park has great places to eat, games to play, shows to watch, and rides to ride.

All Access Entry Plaza

At the Origin’s Theater, you can learn all about the history of the Hard Rock Café before embarking on an exciting journey through the rest of the park. You will also find a great candy store and a huge gift shop here. Another fun spot is ‘Get Inked’, where you can have an expertly crafted fake tattoo applied to your skin.

Rock & Roll Heaven

You will find quite a few great rides here, including Led Zeppelin, a huge roller coaster. It has six loops, takes you fifteen stories high, and is set to the Zeppelin song "Whole Lotta Love".

Reggae Falls is a watery themed play area that is suitable for people of all ages. It is a great way to cool off in the middle of your day at the park.

British Invasion

You can take a spin on the Magic Mushroom Garden, learn to slam dance in a bounce house called the Punk Pit, and take a wild London Cab Ride.

Lost in the 70s

In this large indoor mall area, you can visit the Pinball Wizard Arcade and try your hand at some games, or do some shopping.

Born in the USA

You can find a host of fun rides in this area. Slippery When Wet is a cross between a roller coaster and a bucket ride, and it is sure to give you a thrill. The Shake, Rattle, and Roller Coaster is a great ride for all ages.

Cool Country

The Eagles Life in the Fast Lane is a roller coaster that dominates this area. This two-minute long ride has a double lift and is sure to please the discerning adrenalin junkie.

The above are just a few of the awesome attractions at the Hard Rock Park. If you are in Myrtle Beach, you should definitely spend a day there.

Admission to the park for those aged 10 and over is $45, and children 4 – 9 pay $30. If you plan to come back for another day, ask about the additional day upgrade, which can save you a lot of money.

211 George Bishop PKWY
Myrtle Beach,SC 29579
Phone: (843) 236-7685

Hard Rock Park – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

If you’re a fan of big museums, you’ll love the South Carolina State Museum. This incredible Museum is housed in what was previously a Columbia Mill textile building in the late 19th century. Today it features four floors of exhibits devoted to South Carolina art, natural history, science and technology, and cultural history.

There are many fascinating exhibits housed on each floor of the State Museum. Visitors can choose to view all of the exhibits in a daylong museum tour, or focus on those disciplines and exhibits they find most intriguing. Whether you are primarily interested in South Carolina history, art, or science and technology, you will find plenty of artifacts included in intriguing exhibits at the Museum.
Art Exhibits

Highlights of the art exhibits at the South Carolina State Museum include Silhouette Sculptures by artist Clay Rice and impressive topiary works by artist Pearl Fryar. These intriguing "living sculptures" are located outdoors on the Museum’s grounds. Another beautiful artwork exhibit at the Museum is a full-size driveway gate crafted by master blacksmith Philip Simmons.
Science and Technology

During a tour of the science and technology floor at the South Carolina State Museum, visitors will explore science in relation to history and learn how technology has contributed to the state’s development across a variety of industries.

An exhibit devoted to transportation technology explores flight and aviation.  Space science and laser technology are two other fascinating themed exhibits to see at the State Museum. Visitors can also view exhibits related to manufacturing, agriculture and natural resources in South Carolina, among many other science and technology topics.

Cultural History
The history floor at the South Carolina Museum contains exhibits featuring a huge variety of artifacts from the Prehistoric Era through modern times. Visitors will learn about the earliest civilizations of South Carolina. Exhibits then explore the culture of the colonial and revolutionary periods and the antebellum era. The Civil War and post-Civil War eras are also explored, and in depth coverage of African American History is featured at the State Museum, as well.

Natural History
There are several natural history exhibits to explore at the South Carolina State Museum. A large variety of environments and habitats has evolved over huge amounts of time in South Carolina. Exhibits related to the Great White Shark, the Museum’s impressive fossil collection and the state’s unique habitats entertain and educate visitors about South Carolina’s natural history.

Whether you spend a few hours or an entire day visiting the South Carolina State Museum, you will enjoy your tour of its fascinating exhibits. There is terrific gift shop located on site where you can purchase souvenirs and fine collectible items to commemorate your visit to this remarkable Museum.

South Carolina State Museum – Columbia is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

At Rivers Bridge State Historic Site in Ehrhardt, South Carolina, visitors can explore the state’s only protected Civil War Battlefield. This is the battlefield where General Sherman’s army met its only significant Confederate resistance in South Carolina. The battle commemorated here took place February 2-3, 1865.

Rivers Bridge battlefield is an intriguing Civil War site because of its small scale. You can see the geographical elements that featured in this fierce battle. It is easy to study an overview of the battle and decipher exactly what took place where on the battlefield.

Even with just a cursory overview of information plaques on site, you can identify the original causeway road, cannon sites and earthen fortifications involved in the battle. The same Cypress Swamp the soldiers encountered almost 150 years ago still stands at Rivers Bridge.
 
Rivers Bridge is also a unique Civil War site because it is a preserved battlefield that was not the scene of large numbers of casualties, relatively speaking. It is fascinating to trace the tactics used by experienced troops during the various phases of the battle that enabled them to avoid high casualties despite fierce fighting.

Confederate soldiers that died during the battle are interred at the Memorial Grounds at Rivers Bridge State Historic Site. Visiting the Memorial Grounds is a very moving experience. Nearly all of the Confederate casualties of the battle have been identified, which makes their losses personalized human tragedies.

It is also touching to think of the original community members who chose to commemorate and honor those men who fought here, despite Union victory at the battle of Rivers Bridge and shortly thereafter, in the war. If not for their efforts to preserve the burial grounds here, it is doubtful the Rivers Bridge battlefield site would have remained and ultimately been preserved in tact.

Visitors interested in learning more detailed information about the Memorial Grounds and the battlefield at Rivers Bridge can take a special ranger-guided tour. Educational programs are also held here, and you can obtain information about programs and tours by visiting the Rivers Bridge Historic Site section at SouthCarolinaParks.com.

You can take a self-guided tour of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site. There are interpretive panels along the ¾ mile Battlefield Interpretive Trail that provide information about the battle.

Rivers Bridge is a very scenic place to picnic, and you can even reserve a picnic shelter area for larger gatherings. Birding is another activity visitors enjoy on their visit to this picturesque natural area.

It is important that during your visit to the battle grounds, you avoid straying from designated paths. This will help prevent the erosion or destruction of earthen fortifications that have been preserved for nearly a century and a half.

Rivers Bridge State Historic Site – Ehrhardt, South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

While vacationing in Columbia, South Carolina, tour of the Botanical Garden, and you’ll see a Dry Garden landscaped with plants native to desert and semi-desert areas. You will be amazed to discover the variety of plants that can tolerate and even thrive with very little water. In sharp contrast to the Dry Garden, the Bog Garden features cascading water and a wide variety of plants that thrive in wetlands such as bogs.

The Old Rose Garden is a charming garden featuring antique roses as well as other plants that compliment them in this beautiful display. The roses’ fragrant blooms and array of colors are truly a sensual delight.

Discover the Botanical Gardens – Columbia South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

At Riverbanks Zoo, you’ll see animals from around the world in recreations of a huge range of habitats. At the African Plains exhibit, zebras, giraffes and other animals native to Africa roam their own savanna area.  If you’re interested in African gorillas and elephants, you can see these magnificent creatures at the Ndoki Forest sanctuary area. Vultures, cranes and other birds native to Africa are located in the nearby African Bird Yard.
    
African lions can be seen at the Zoo’s Large Mammals exhibit. Siberian tigers, hippopotamuses, baboons and grizzly bears are some of the other giant creatures you will see in the Large Mammals area.

There are plenty of aquatic creatures, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates to view at the Riverbanks Zoo’s Aquarium Reptile Complex. At the Birdhouse, there are three different bird habitat exhibits. Penguins and beautiful birds of paradise are just a few of the birds at home in these themed displays.

Australian fish, mammals and reptiles are located at the Koala Knockabout exhibit, and you will enjoy meeting the friendly lorikeets at the Zoo’s aviary. At the Riverbanks Conservation Outpost, visitors have an opportunity to view uncommon small animals.

These are just some of the exhibits you’ll enjoy exploring at the Riverbanks Zoo.

Discover The Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

You can choose your favorite style of camping for your stay at Keowee-Toxaway park. There are RV as well as tent camping sites available, or you may opt for more primitive style camping along the park’s trails.

Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area offers exceptional views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Foothills. Exploring the park’s trails is the best way to view rock outcroppings, picturesque creeks and beautiful mountain vegetation. There are plenty of shaded, scenic places to take a break from hiking, relax, and enjoy a picnic lunch or snack.
Plan to do some birding while you hike or stroll around the park, and don’t forget to bring your camera on. Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area provides many opportunities to photograph incredible views and natural sights.

There are three hiking trails at Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area. The Raven Rock Hiking Trail is a moderately strenuous hiking trail that stretches just over 4 miles. You will enjoy a spectacular view of the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as Lake Keowee along this trail, and you may spot deer and smaller wildlife on your hike. If you prefer a shorter hike, the 1 1/2 mile Natural Bridge Nature Trail is available. This looping trail features a natural bridge formation you will use to cross Poe Creek on your hike.  

The Cherokee Interpretive Trail is a quarter-mile long, easy-to-walk looping trail that features four informational kiosks. This trail compliments the Cherokee museum and provides information about the history of the Cherokee Indians that once lived in the area.

At the Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area Museum, visitors can learn about the Cherokee town that was once located on site at Lake Keowee. This ancient town is now below the waters of the lake. Displays at the Museum recount the history of the Cherokees’ interactions with the Europeans who settled in South Carolina.

If you are interested in holding a family gathering, picnic event or meeting at the Keowee-Toxaway park, you can reserve one of five sheltered picnic areas on location. There is also a former chapel here that can be used for gatherings of up to one hundred people. In addition to these rental facilities, you may choose to rent a large cabin located in a wooded area of the park for indoor accommodations.

Plan a Visit to Keowee-Toxaway State Natural Area in South Carolina is a post from: South Carolina Tourism

You’ll see reptiles as well as birds and mammals at the South Carolina Aquarium in an array of beautiful exhibits. From your entrance at the Great Hall all the way through to the end of your tour, you will be impressed with the beauty and natural appeal of the Aquarium itself as well as its animals and exhibits.

The Mountain Forest Aviary exhibit at the South Carolina Aquarium explores habitats located throughout the Blue Ridge Mountain areas of the state. This is an incredibly scenic and vibrant exhibit featuring cascading waterfalls, rock gorges, and Eastern Hemlock trees. Brook trout, bright cardinals and playful river otters are all featured in this stunning exhibit.

A second aviary is also located at the South Carolina Aquarium. The Saltmarsh Aviary houses coastal birds such as herons as well as predatory birds, including a barred owl and red-tailed hawk. Coastal plants and marine animals including terrapins, crabs and fish are also on display in this incredible 2,500 square foot immersion exhibit.

The Coastal Plain Gallery is another scenic and intriguing exhibit at the Aquarium. Visitors see a variety of fish as well as reptiles, amphibians and plants native to the state’s Coastal Plain region. There are several wetland habitats represented in the Coastal Plain Gallery, including swamps and freshwater marshes. Some of the interesting animals you can view here include alligators, rattlesnakes, gar and turtles.

If you like big Ocean-dwelling animals, you will love touring the South Carolina Aquarium’s Ocean Gallery. This popular exhibit takes visitors on a tour of the various aquatic habitats found off the coast of South Carolina. The 385,000 gallon Great Ocean Tank spans two stories and houses hundreds of marine animals. You’ll see loggerhead sea turtles that weight hundreds of pounds and their popular tank mates, the ferocious sharks. In other tanks included in the Ocean Gallery exhibit, visitors can observe graceful jellyfish and study the habits of colorful and interesting reef dwelling aquatic creatures.

There are many other fascinating animals to view and even touch in additional exhibits at the South Carolina Aquarium. You can observe seahorses and octopus at the Coast Gallery exhibit. Interesting invertebrates native to the South Carolina Coast such as starfish and horseshoe crabs may be handled at the Touch Tank.  

Special demonstrations and live animal programs are held at the South Carolina daily. You can watch the otters enjoy breakfast, spot dolphins in the Charleston Harbor and participate in fun interactive activities at various times throughout the day.

After a long day at the aquarium, you’re family is going to need a place to rest and relax.  HotelsCombined.com can provide you with a number of options including those with swimming pools, spas and all the other amenities you desire out of a hotel.  You may also plan your last minute holidays from On The Beach. Located in the Islands and Coast Tourism Region.

Discover Aquatic Creatures and More at the South Carolina Aquarium is a post from: South Carolina Tourism