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Downtown Spartanburg Walking Tour

Begins at Regional History Museum, 200 E. St. John St., Spartanburg
May 29, 2010 - 10:00 to 11:30 am

Admission: $10 adults, $5 students
Limited to 30

Downtown walking tours begin at the Regional History Museum and proceed to East Main Street, through Morgan Square, down Magnolia Street and back along St. John Street.  Participants will have a chance to see historic photographs that depict historical views of downtown Spartanburg from where they were taken.  Additionally, we'll hear fascinating and often humorous stories about downtown and its occupants.  Downtown has changed a lot since 1787, and there is no better way to see it than by standing in the places where history happened!  Tours will be canceled in the case of inclement weather.  Custom tours for school and civic groups also available.

To make reservations or for more information, contact Brad Steinecke at 596-3501 or by emailing bsteinecke@spartanburghistory.org.

Childhood on the Plantation at Walnut Grove Plantation

Saturday, April 24, 2010, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (Rain or Shine)

1200 Otts Shoals Road, Roebuck

Admission: adults $6.00, ages 6-17 $4.00, ages 5 & under free.

Children of the 18th century were directly and intimately affected by war.  Boys--teenaged and younger--served in armies and militia companies in both combat and non-combat roles.  Wives and children followed their husbands and fathers to war and performed many domestic duties in army camps.  This year's Childhood on the Plantation delves into this unfortunate reality as local reenactors from the South Carolina Rangers conduct militia drills and weapons demonstrations throughout the day.  Even during wartime, however, work and play went on as usual and hands-on activities will allow adults and children alike to try out colonial chores and games.  Our blacksmith and gardener will be on site to talk about their vocations.  Tours of the plantation will be available throughout the day.  Bring a picnic lunch and make a day of it!

For more information, call 864-576-6546 or email walnutgrove@spartanburghistory.org.

Living Green at the Seay House

Saturday, April 17, 2010, 11:00 am -4:00 pm (Rain or Shine)

106 Darby Road, Spartanburg

Admission is free, but donations are welcomed.

Come celebrate Earth Day 19th century style!  Learn about heirloom vegetables and how Spartanburg residents grew the food they ate and made the clothes they wore.  These early Spartans were “reducing, reusing, and recycling” before Earth Day was born.  The day features hands-on weaving using cereal boxes and more as well as small farm animals, gardening demonstrations, and tasting samples.  Come discover - and live - your history!

Explore the earth-saving possibilities of public transportation.  Hop on a city bus and ride over to the event.  We’ll have special treats for visitors who do!  You can also put

Earth Day into Action by helping us gather recyclable items left in the woods surrounding this beautiful historic site.  Be prepared with the right shoes and clothes for a beautiful and practical walk through the woods!

For more information, call 864-596-3501 or email seayhouse@spartanburghistory.org

The Seay House is also open every 3rd Saturday from April through October except July.  Sponsorship opportunities are available all summer.  Contact Becky Slayton - 864-596-3501 or seayhouse@spartanburghistory.org.

Taste of the Backcountry at the Historic Price House

Saturday, April 3, 2010, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (Rain or Shine)

1200 Oak View Farms Road, Woodruff

Admission: adults $5.00, ages 6-17 $3.00, ages 5 & under free.
Groups of 10 or more that reserve by March 30 receive 10% off all admissions.

Taste of the Backcountry, which takes place the first Saturday of April, includes food demonstrations that show both the kinds of food residents in the backcountry would have eaten and the methods of preparation. Two to three evaluators are on site for this event to offer evaluations of visitors' family heirlooms in Antiques Roadshow fashion. Since moving a double-pen slave cabin to this site in 2005, this event has provided an opportunity to focus on the life of enslaved people in the Backcountry as well. Come enjoy the cooking, weaving, and other domestic arts demonstrations.  If you get hungry, there will be BBQ & home-baked goods available for purchase. Evaluators will be on site from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm to offer an educated evaluation of your antiques at no additional charge (2 item limit, please).

See more of our pictures!