Aiken County Library to Host Talk on South Carolina’s Role in American History

The Aiken County Public Library will host a talk titled South Carolina History is American History at 5 p.m. Friday, May 8. Visitors will learn how the state changed what became the United States from the 16th century through the 20th century.

The lecture will cover examples showing how South Carolinians and events in the state helped British colonies in North America succeed. It will discuss the colonial rebellion and the American Revolution. Attendees will also hear about sectional politics in the first part of the 19th century, the coming of the Civil War and Reconstruction, and the 20th century.

Elizabeth Chew, CEO of the South Carolina Historical Society in Charleston, will give the talk. She has worked at museums and historic sites since 1985.

The Revolutionary Perspectives Speaker Series is supported by the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission. SC250 was created by the S.C. Legislature to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary Era and shine a light on the state's role in securing America's freedom through heritage tourism, rural economic impact initiatives, and educational programs.

South Carolina Humanities funds the series. The state nonprofit organization aims to uplift stories of the state, strengthen communities statewide, and help people understand one another.

SC Humanities receives support from the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as corporate, foundation, and individual donors. The organization presents literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, oral history projects, and other humanities-based programs throughout the state.

The library is located at 314 Chesterfield St. S.W. More information is available at schumanities.org.