Pee Dee Historical Society

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

🌱🚜 : Coker Farms National Historic Landmark 🚜🌱

Step into the place where agricultural history was made! Coker Farms National Historic Landmark in Hartsville tells the remarkable story of the first agricultural company in the United States to commercially use scientific plant breeding to develop improved crop seeds. Founded by David R. Coker in 1914, the farm became home to America's first cotton breeding program and revolutionized farming across the South.

Today, visitors can explore self-guided interpretive exhibits inside a replica dairy barn and learn how Coker's groundbreaking research improved cotton, to***co, corn, soybeans, and other crops that helped shape the P*e Dee and Southern agriculture for generations. It's a fascinating stop for history buffs, agriculture enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how one Hartsville innovation changed farming across America.

📍 1257 S. Fourth Street
Hartsville, SC 29550

🕘 Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Self-guided tours)

Have you visited Coker Farms? Tell us your favorite part—or what surprised you most! 👇

*eDeeTourism 🌾❤️🚜

Sources: https://www.hartsvillesc.gov/visitors/hartsville-museum/coker-farms-landmark?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://visithartsvillesc.com/travel-directory/coker-farms/

06/24/2026

Share your American story! America250 is bringing the Our American Story program to Columbia on May 26.

This nationwide storytelling initiative invites people to pause, reflect, and share the experiences that have shaped their lives and communities.

Stop by the Our American Story Airstream at 1213 Lady St. on May 26 for a brief, guided conversation with a trained interviewer. There are no right or wrong answers! Every story is recorded with care and respect, and selected recordings will be preserved at the Library of Congress.

Can’t attend in person? You can share your story online at: www.America250.org/our-american-story
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06/24/2026

This will be somewhere around 40 years for me.

We are happy to share that the South Carolina Genealogical Society is hosting their 53rd Annual Summer Workshop here at the Archives and History Center on July 17-18, 2026.

Attend in-person or virtually!

Visit their website for more information and to register: https://www.scgen.org/workshop/

09/30/2025

FACEBOOK/INSTA: In September 1729 several of the owners of the proprietorship of Carolina surrender their shares to the Crown formally ending the proprietary period in South Carolina. The Carolina Charter was issued by Charles II in 1663 giving eight political supporters almost total control and rights to a portion of North America below the Virginia Colony. A reissued charter for the Province of Carolina in 1665 expanded the territory to include all the land below Virginia down to the Spanish Colony at Saint Augustine and west to the Western Seas. A settlement established by the Lords Proprietors along the Ashley River would grow into the present state of South Carolina. During the early years, the province teetered on the brink of failure with insufficient leadership and an absence of support from the proprietors forcing the colonists to develop a degree of self-rule. By 1719 the Yemasee War, the threat of invasion from the Spanish, and difficulties with pirates led the colonists to seized power from the proprietary governor and appeal to the Crown to take control of the colony. In August 1720, the Crown took provisional control of the province and looked to revoke the charter. After years of negotiations, the Crown in June 1729 agreed to buy out seven of the eight shares of the proprietors. The eighth share owned by John Lord Carteret, the Earl of Granville, would be surrendered in 1742 in exchange for an extensive grant of land in the northern section of the North Carolina colony. Attached is a microfilm copy of a petition of the Lords Proprietors pertaining to the negotiations with the Crown. The original is housed at the National Archives of Great Britain, but the microfilm is available at the SC Dept. of Archives and History. Source: B800103

03/25/2025

Registration is open for our Mother & Child Dance! This dance is for all the mamas out there and their children to have a special night of fun. The dance will be on Friday, May 9, 2025 from 6- 8:30 PM. It will cost $30 for mother and child couples and $10 per each additional child. Like always the dance will be held at the Recreation Department at 300 Sanders St, Darlington SC.
To register, please visit cityofdarlington.recdesk.com
Last day to register is April 25th at 4:30 PM.

03/25/2025

Stop by our branch anytime during the month of your birthday to get a FREE book. There will be something for all ages!

03/03/2025

‼️Update - Burn Ban Has Been Lifted

Current weather conditions such as increased winds, lower relative humidity, and minimal or no precipitation make management of outdoor burning more difficult than normal. Current weather forecasts do not indicate these conditions improving in the immediate days.

The unincorporated areas include all areas outside of any city or town limits in Darlington County. We would like to remind the community that burning at this time can be very dangerous, leading to property damage, increased injuries, and even fatalities. Fire departments in the county have responded to nearly 30 calls for outdoor fires spreading due to these conditions just this week.
We strongly ask the public to adhere to this ban and not to conduct outdoor burns until conditions improve. Updates on the ban can be found on the Darlington County Fire District page.

03/03/2025

A statewide burning ban is now in effect due to dangerous wildfire conditions.

10/19/2024

Over 82 people experienced “Shadows of the Past” last night and tonight is another tour. We have spots available at 7 & 9 PM. Tickets are available at the door!

This is your opportunity to experience the more macorabre history and to experience the haunted museum.