The Greenville County Historical Society is pleased to announce the dates and topics for our 2024-2025 lecture series.
Dates: 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: 6:30-7:30 PM
Venue: First Presbyterian Church (200 W Washington St., Greenville, SC 20601) The space serves individuals with disabilities. The best entrance for wheelchair access is via the portico near Richardson St. across from the Richard St. garage (pictured here in this link at the top of Lot 3)
Capacity: 200
Ticket Cost: Free for GCHS* and First Presbyterian members; $15 for non-members.
* It’s a great time to become a member of the Society to get free access to these lectures which will illuminate a variety of topics from the Revolutionary War era through today.
November 21
Greenville’s Racial Relations Past
Speaker: Russell Stall
Description:
Greenville believes we are different from other places. We are, of course, the friendliest and most optimistic city in the United States. However, Greenville has a sorted past in dealing with diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, especially among the black community. This talk provides a historical overview of race relations in Greenville County and the Upstate.
December 19
Greenville at the Turn of the 20th Century
Speaker: John Nolan
Description: The years surrounding the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s marked big changes for the city of Greenville. Beautiful new buildings graced Main Street…some of which are still here and some are not. Take a fascinating look at what downtown looked like in those years, what factors were causing growth and development, and the people important to the city of that era.
January 16
Historic Neighborhoods of Greenville, SC
Speaker: John Nolan
Description: As appealing and beautiful as Greenville’s downtown is, the historic neighborhoods that surround it give it a livability and traditional feel that enhances the city in every way. Take a virtual ride through neighborhoods like Pettigru, Alta Vista, Hampton Pinkney, Dunean Mill Village, and Earle Street to see a myriad of architectural styles of homes ranging from Greenville’s earliest days through the mid-20th century. See inside the homes and learn about who lived in them and what their community roles were.
February 20
Fireside Remembrances of the Snow Campaign: Celebrating the Revolutionary Upstate
Speaker: Candy Rae Boatwright
Description: Following the Siege of Savage’s Old Field in Ninety Six during November, 1775, the Patriots of the Piedmont amassed a large force in order to retake the ammunition shipment commandeered by Richard Pearis and other Upstate Loyalists. Between December 12th and Christmas Day, 1775 nearly 5,000 Patriot forces camped at Hollingsworth Mill near Fountain Inn and orchestrated a strategic victory over the British and Tories. Although very few casualties occurred during the Battle of Canebrake or Snow Campaign it was significant due to the capture of nearly 130 Tories along with prominent leaders such as Richard Pearis in nearly two feet of snow. Such Patriots as Vardry McBee Sr. would continue to retell of his time in the “Snow Camps” and his son, Vardry McBee Jr. the “Father of Greenville”, would be formed by those Revolutionary memories.
March 20
Coffee History in Greenville, SC
Speaker: John Nolan
Description: Coffee is an integral part of world communities and has played a part in city cultures for many decades. Learn about the origins of coffee, its migration into world cultures, its evolution as a staple of American society, and its presence and growth in Greenville over the past century.
April 17
Vardry McBee: The Father of Greenville
Speaker: John Nolan
Description: The name McBee is found all over the city of Greenville and for good reason. Vardry McBee contributed more to the early development of the city than any other citizen. This presentation will fill you in on the myriad of community aspects that McBee had significant influence in over his lifetime including buildings, politics, military, agriculture, churches, homes, businesses and more.
May 15
Pictorial History of Falls Park
Speaker: John Nolan
Description: The Reedy Falls have played a central role in Greenville from its beginnings as a hunting ground for the Cherokee tribe through its textile era and into the present day. Take an enjoyable look at what the river looked like with hundreds of images spanning from 1821 to 2023 and what its evolving role was for through the years. Your sure to see views of the Reedy River and falls areas that you’ve never seen before.
