SC Humanities Festival Comes to Summerville

The S.C. Humanities Council has selected Flowertown in the Pines as the location of this year's festival.

In the festival's 19-year history, this is the first time Summerville has been chosen to host the festival, which will celebrate all things Summerville. Many of the events are free, and all events are under $15. 

To get tickets for any of the ticketed events, click here, call 843-224-4133, or visit the Dorchester County Library on Trolley Road.

Here are the events off the brochure by Friends of the Summerville Library:

Thursday, April 18

Welcome to Summerville, 5-8 p.m., Town Hall

First Stop on the Sweet Tea Trail is the welcome station at Town Hall on the corner of South Main Street and West Richardson Avenue  200 S. Main Street, Summerville, S.C. 29483  

The Festival Officially begins at 5:00 pm and goes until 8:00 pm on Thursday Night.

Out of town guests and local guests may pick up welcome packets for the Festival. Local guests may obtain information and tickets during the Third Thursday event.  Local talent will be taking place during the three hour period inside Town Hall. Weekend Festival Attendees who purchase a complete weekend ticket will receive buttons for admission to all events. Welcome Packets with information about all the events will be available. Tickets for the Saturday night performance at St. Paul’s Historic Church will also be sold at the door.

Third Thursday Event, 5-8 p.m., downtown Summerville

Enjoy the first night of the Festival while strolling through historic downtown Summerville. The annual monthly event is a perfect way to get to know what Summerville has to offer! Shops are open, entertainment fills the square, and restaurants are plentiful. April is the perfect time to enjoy Third Thursday. 

Friday, April 19 — Opening Day Festivities

Grant Writing Seminar, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Dorchester County Library

Join the FOSL for A Grant Writing Seminar with Dr. Randy Akers. Dr Akers is the  Executive Director of the South Carolina Humanities Council. Randy L. Akers is finishing his 25th  year as Executive Director of The Humanities Council SC a non- profit affiliate state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Randy began work in public humanities in Florida in 1984, and was Associate Director of the Florida Humanities Council prior to coming to South Carolina.  He received his B.A. degree in sociology from Illinois College (Phi Beta Kappa), a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. in religious studies from Northwestern University.  An amateur archaeologist who has dug ten times in Israel beginning in 1974, he is an instructor at the University of South Carolina in the department of Religious Studies.  

He serves on the board of directors for the Thomas Cooper Society at USC.  He is a proud recipient of the annual Lucy Hampton Bostick Award presented by the Richland County Library for service to libraries and the reading public, and was given a 2012 Literacy Leadership Award by the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina. He has been a contributor to Sandlapper Magazine.   

This is an amazing opportunity to learn about grant writing especially if you are involved in non-profit organizations.Dr. Akers will offer about an hour program and then he will take questions, offer handouts, and personal assistance. 

This seminar is free and open to the public. Reservations suggested as seats are limited. Doughnuts, coffee and tea will be served.

Speakers Symposium, 2-4:30 p.m., Dorchester County Library

Dr. Scott Yarbrough CSU Southern Literature, Dr. Brian Miller CSU A Short History of Summerville and The Rev. John Reynolds, author of The Fight for Freedom: A Memoir of My Years in the Civil Rights Movement.  African American History will speak in regard to Summerville during this time. 

This Symposium is free and seats are limited. Call ahead for reservations. 

There will be time for questions and answers and a meet and greet with refreshments from 4 to 4:30 pm.  

People Places and Quilts, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

A Note from Mrs. Diane Frankenburger ~ owner

People, Places & Quilts has been in business for 23 years in the heart of downtown Summerville. Summerville is what has been described as "everybody's favorite hometown". It still has the town square, the train rolls through several times a day and merchants know you by name. Ice cream and hot dogs are available at Guerins Pharmacy, the oldest drugstore in SC. 

PPQ is located in what used to be an old hardware store, Cauthens. Many of the old fixtures remain giving the store an old time flavor but with new edgy products...sewing machines, fabrics of all kinds, books, patterns, and notions. There are toy tables for children, sofa's for sitters, smiling friendly help for those with projects that need creative ideas or...redemption! 

People, Places and Quilts was voted Best Fabric Shop in the area recently and has been selected as one of the top ten quilt shops in the USA. We are blessed by the honor. As the owner I am blessed to be doing what I love....writing patterns, drawing designs for shop use, talking to folks, telling the stories of quilts- why and how they were made and their place in the very "fabric" of life. Shopping is welcome after the tours. Free, no reservations required. 

The Summerville History Museum, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

A Private Tour with Chris Ohm. Join Mr. Chris Ohm for a special tour and reception at the Summerville Museum. Mr, Ohm is an authority on the railroad history of Summerville and the museum. Dorchester Museum is an educational organization dedicated to preserving the historical significance of Summerville and Dorchester County. Its mission is to collect, preserve and exhibit artifacts and to develop educational program relating to the cultural and natural history of the Summerville and Dorchester County area. This museum holds a wealth of information and credit goes to Mr. Ohm's vision. This is a tour you do not want to miss. $5 at the door goes to the Summerville Museum.  

Humanities Council Opening Night Festivities, 7-9:30 p.m.

At St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, free to all and no reservations required. Music by the Strings Quartet of the Summerville Community Orchestra. Keynote speaker is author Ken Burger. Dessert Reception.

Saturday, April 20

International Primate Protection League (IPPL) Tour, 10 a.m.

Two groups of 10 will be allowed to visit. Dame Dr. Shirley McGreal, IPPL Founder and Executive Director. Take a rarely allowed tour of one of the most unique habitats in Summerville

Two Tours of 10 people will be allowed to visit the Primate Sanctuary hosted by Dame Shirley McGreal. Dame McGreal is known around the world for her work with gibbons.

A Donation of $20 goes directly to the League. Reservations Are Required - No children are allowed.

People Places and Quilts, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

A Note from Mrs. Diane Frankenburger ~ owner

People, Places & Quilts has been in business for 23 years in the heart of downtown Summerville. Summerville is what has been described as "everybody's favorite hometown". It still has the town square, the train rolls through several times a day and merchants know you by name. Ice cream and hot dogs are available at Guerins Pharmacy, the oldest drugstore in SC. 

PPQ is located in what used to be an old hardware store, Cauthens. Many of the old fixtures remain giving the store an old time flavor but with new edgy products...sewing machines, fabrics of all kinds, books, patterns, and notions. There are toy tables for children, sofa's for sitters, smiling friendly help for those with projects that need creative ideas or...redemption! 

People, Places and Quilts was voted Best Fabric Shop in the area recently and has been selected as one of the top ten quilt shops in the USA. We are blessed by the honor. As the owner I am blessed to be doing what I love....writing patterns, drawing designs for shop use, talking to folks, telling the stories of quilts- why and how they were made and their place in the very "fabric" of life. Shopping is welcome after the tours. Free, no reservations required. 

Sculpture in the South, 4:30 p.m.

Docent Tour in Azalea Park. Right after the return of the trolley from Fort Dorchester, you may enter the Azalea Park in downtown Summerville for a docent tour of the Sculpture in the South exhibits. Each year the Sculpture in the South holds an amazing weekend event in the park and this year it is in May. "Sculpture in the South is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sculpture through education and the creation of a permanent sculpture collection." - Mission Statement. Sculpture in the South is a member of the S.C. Arts Commission. No reservations required. Free.

Summerville Farmer’s Market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

The market is located in the 1st Citizens bank parking lot adjacent to Summerville Town Hall at 200 S. Main Street.

Trolley Tour of Historic Summerville with Mr. Tim Lowry, Storyteller, 10:30 a.m.-noon

Tickets $15. Reservations required. Step on the trolley and travel back to the Golden Age of  Summerville.  Learn why Summerville is considered the Birthplace of Sweet Tea. Enjoy a tour of Victorian Era Homes from the comfort of your reserved seat. Like the old days of Summerville, enjoy this rare tour of Summerville by trolley, led by one of  Summerville’s own artistic treasures. 

Seats on the Trolley are limited to 60, 40 seated and standing room on the trolley is limited to 20. 

Sweet Tea Luncheon at the Historic Timrod Library, noon-1:30 p.m.

Reservations Required. Seats are limited to 80 guests. Tickets are $15 available online or by calling. Enjoy a time gone by with a delightful Southern Sweet Tea Luncheon at the Historic Timrod Library.

The Timrod Library is a private library with one of the most unique and beautiful buildings in Summerville. The History that surrounds the Library is fascinating. The Library is named after Henry Timrod, the American Poet, considered the Poet Laureate of the Confederacy. Join us at the Timrod for wonderful southern food, a bit of history, while enjoying someold fashioned barbershop quartet music. If you are a local resident, please consider joining the Timrod!  We will be serving the Tea Plantation Tea. 

The Fort Dorchester Revolutionary Day Private Trolley Tour, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15, limited to 60. Tickets available online or by calling.

Step back on the trolley and back into history as we head to the Fort Dorchester Historic Park. The Fort dates back to 1697. A private tour of the Park and a discussion on the archeological dig at Fort Dorchester will be conducted by Mr. Ashley Chapman, Archeologist and Park Ranger. During the tour, a Revolutionary Encampment will be taking place at Fort Dorchester. You will be able to visit with and watch Revolutionary reenactors in their daily activities and in the firing of weaponry. The encampment on this day is part of a group that is recognizing the powder magazine anniversary in Charleston.  

Historic Church Tour with The Rev. John F. Scott, 5:30 p.m.

At St Paul's Historic Church. Prior to the Evening Performance at St. Paul’s Historic Church, advanced ticket holders and Festival Ticket Holders may arrive at 5:30 pm for a tour of the Church and Graveyard.  The present church dates back to 1857.

The tour will be conducted by The Rev. John Scott who is well versed in Revolutionary History. Rev. Scott will don the vestments of the period and will delight you with wonderful historic facts. This event is followed by instrumental music by the St. Paul’s musicians at 6:30 p.m.

“Get On The Road” with Mr. Tim Lowry, storyteller, 7 p.m.

Stories, music and singing. Open to the public. Tickets are $10, seating is limited.

Sunday, April 21

Get On The Sweet Tea Trail 

Sunday is your day to spend as you wish, but we can not resist offering a few suggestions.

During the Festival, some of our wonderful Antique Shops and Markets will be open just for you on Sunday afternoon. Consider visiting one of our area churches for a morning service, enjoy brunch or lunch at one of our local restaurants, and then head to the antique shops and markets to pick up something to remember your stay in Summerville.