North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Kaye Collins
The L.W. Paul Living History Farm was founded with the goal of preserving and safeguarding the artifacts and items associated with the history and culture of Horry County’s farm families from 1900 to 1955. It aims to educate visitors about the history of these families through interpretive exhibits set in a functioning traditional farm environment.
The L.W. Paul Living History Farm operates from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Past classes include, Saturday, Jan. 3, children explored local insects, including honey bees. They also had the opportunity to taste various types of honey and observe how the diversity of plants that bees pollinate can influence the honey they produce.
On Saturday, Jan. 10, children explored the significance of the barn owl to the farming community. They also dissected actual barn owl pellets to discover the dietary preferences of these local birds of prey!
On Saturday. Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon, the L.W. Paul Living History Farm held a celebration dedicated to pigs. Everyone was invited to discover how families traditionally preserved pork on a typical Horry County Farm during the early 1900s. Winter was a vital period for farming families, as they frequently depended on home-preserved foods, making it the perfect season for curing pork. Once cured, families could savor the pork not just in winter but throughout the entire year. Every part of the animal was utilized on the farm, from rendering fat into lard to preparing dishes like chitterlings, hog head cheese, and pickled pig’s feet. The event included demonstrations of pork carving and preparation, salting and curing meat in the smokehouse, lard rendering, and cooking demonstrations.
On Saturday, Jan. 31, children explored various types of snakes that inhabit South Carolina. Children learned that there were no live snakes present during the program. Horry County is home to a diverse population of snakes, including 38 species in the state with only six being venomous. Frequently seen non-venomous snakes consist of Black Racers, Corn Snakes, Eastern King Snakes, Rough Green Snakes, and several types of Water Snakes. Venomous varieties include the Copperhead, Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin), Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake, and Eastern Coral Snake. Venomous Snakes in Horry County while generally shy, these snakes are found in the area, particularly in wooded or swampy, coastal environments. Copperheads are Identified by hourglass-shaped bands. The Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin is dark, thick-bodied snakes with a white mouth lining, they are commonly found near water. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is a large, highly venomous snake found in dry, sandy areas and dunes. Most snakes are non-aggressive and only bite if cornered or handled.
Upcoming events at L.W. Paul Living History Farm
On February 8th, children will have the opportunity to create homemade ink from berries and will be able to write or draw using a feather quill.
On Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, Museum Director Walter Hill will lead a blacksmithing demonstration in the Blacksmith Shop. With more than twenty years of blacksmithing experience, Hill will showcase traditional forging techniques for the audience.
On Saturday, Feb. 28th, a free 30-minute activity will take place at the Farm. In this session, children will learn about the historical use of scrap fabric in making bed and floor rugs. Furthermore, they will start creating their own piece to take home. Parents are encouraged to register their children for a half-hour session between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Please note that group sizes will be limited.
Joe McGill will speak about the last 16 years of spending nights in former slave quarters across the United States. His experiences are now documented in the book, Sleeping with the Ancestors: How I Followed the Footprints of Slavery. The public is invited to the Horry County Museum at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 7th, where he will explain why this seemingly simple act continues to be sought after by historic sites of enslavement.
Joseph McGill, Jr. is the creator of the Slave Dwelling Project. This initiative, which allows for overnight stays in existing slave dwellings, has brought crucial attention to these often-neglected structures that possess significant importance in the American built environment. He has conducted over 250 overnight stays at approximately 150 different sites across 25 states and the District of Columbia. He has interacted with the descendants of both the enslaved individuals and the enslavers associated with antebellum historic locations. He speaks to school children, college students, historical societies, community organizations, and the general public.
Since 2016, McGill has expanded the Slave Dwelling Project by launching a living history initiative called “Inalienable Rights: Living History Through the Eyes of the Enslaved.” The Project has organized 7 conferences since 2013. McGill acted as a field officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, concentrating on the revitalization of the Sweet Auburn commercial district in Atlanta, GA, and developing a management strategy for the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area.
He is highlighted in the book, Confederates in the Attic, written by Tony Horwitz. He is also a member of the South Carolina Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. This event is scheduled to occur at the Horry County Museum, located at 805 Main Street, Conway, S.C. Admission is free and accessible to all.
For further details, call 843-915-5320 or send an email to hcg.museum@horrycountysc.gov.
To learn more about our programs, visit our museum website at www.horrycountymuseum.org.
Complimentary 30-minute activities are held every Saturday at the L.W. Paul Living History Farm. Parents can sign their children up for a half-hour session between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Group sizes will be limited. For information on available times and to register, contact Marian Calder at 843-915-7861 or email calder.marian@horrycountysc.gov. The sessions available are at 9, 9:30, 10, or 10:30; so specify your preferred session when registering.
