Kershaw is a county in South Carolina, with a population of approximately 65,033. The county seat is Camden. It was created in 1791, from parts of Claremont, Lancaster, Fairfield, and Richland counties. There are several things to do in Kershaw, including visiting historic districts and natural wonders.
Natural wonders
Kershaw, South Carolina, is a quaint town located in Lancaster County. It has a population of 2,000 people and is located in the Midlands region. This area was once home to one of the largest gold mines in Appalachia. The town has a small-town charm and plenty of local businesses.
One of the most stunning natural attractions in Kershaw is Hanging Rock, an area that blends the cultural history of Kershaw with its natural beauty. This area was a battleground during the Revolutionary War, but it has now been turned into a scenic hiking trail. The area features many natural attractions, including waterfalls, beaver ponds, and wildflowers.
Another natural wonder in the area is the canyon, which is home to rainbow hued cliffs and a verdant oasis. This area’s rough geology creates a wide variety of landscapes. Trees are abundant in the park, and visitors can experience the lushness and shade they provide in this unique environment.
Historic districts
Kershaw County is home to three historic districts. Two of them are located in the City of Camden and the third is in Liberty Hill. These districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register criteria for a historic district is that it must have at least a majority of its components that are of historic interest. However, an individual component does not have to be historically significant in order to be listed.
The county is actively engaged in promoting cultural tourism and protecting its historic resources. Its comprehensive plan includes strategies to promote tourism and reinvest in historic resources. It also emphasizes the importance of preserving Kershaw County’s unique character and culture. It also makes use of code enforcement and architectural review boards to achieve its goals.
The expansion of the railroad in the county spurred the development of new towns and communities. A number of historical books have been published on the county’s history. Walter Edgar wrote South Carolina: A History in 1998 and Joan and Glen Inabinet wrote A History of Kershaw County (2010). Other books about Kershaw County include Thomas J. Kirkland and Robert M. Kennedy’s two-part series, Historic Camden.
The Camden Heritage Museum is an outdoor museum complex that is open to the public. This complex includes a working traditional forge, an 1812 log house, and many other historical buildings. Visitors can also explore the town’s early American history by taking a driving or walking tour. The Museum contains exhibits on colonial life in Camden and on the town’s early history.
Kershaw County has three National Historic Landmarks and 20 properties on the National Register. The county was carved out of Claremont County in 1791 and includes parts of Lancaster County, Lee County, and Richland County. Its boundaries have been revised several times throughout the twentieth century. In fact, nearly 200 square miles of Kershaw County were reapportioned to other counties.
East Richland Street-East Church Street Historic District contains 28 contributing buildings. Most of the houses in this district date to the early nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These buildings are in various architectural styles including Neo-Classical, Victorian, and Colonial Revival. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Museum complex
When it comes to local history, Kershaw County has many attractions to offer visitors. The Camden Heritage Museum, a 107-acre outdoor museum complex, offers an authentic look at the lives of the people who lived during the colonial and revolutionary war periods. The museum includes two restored 1785 John Craven log homes, a 1795 McCaa house, and a working traditional forge. The Camden Heritage Museum also offers reconstructions of the British fortifications. Visitors can also learn about the history of Kershaw County’s native Americans and African-Americans.
The museum is located in a historic building that was commandeered by Lord Charles Cornwallis during the British occupation of Camden in 1780-81. It includes a picnic area and a gift shop for visitors. The museum’s re-enactments are popular and attract as many as 500 or 600 visitors each year. The museum also hosts Revolutionary War Field Days each year, when over 500 re-enactors take the stage for a live battle, period craftsmen, and a period fashion show.
The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. There are also guided tours available Tuesday-Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. To learn more about the museum and its exhibitions, you can visit the website linked below.
The museum has several permanent and temporary exhibits. Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock and Roll celebrated the history of rock and roll through the 1960s and 1970s. The exhibit showcased many tools of the trade. These included a gold baby grand piano, a Fender Esquire guitar, and a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar.
Alex Kershaw is a New York Times best-selling author and a journalist. He studied at Oxford University and currently lives in Savannah, Georgia. His critically acclaimed books include The Liberator, which is set to be turned into a Netflix drama series. Kershaw has also led several educational travel tours around Europe.
