Higher Learning in the Lowcountry of South Carolina

This fall, you can explore (and even try your hand at) a myriad of Lowcountry traditions including bookbinding, rice harvesting, and sweetgrass basket making as Charleston, South Carolina presents a blend of Afro-Caribbean and European heritage in its calendar of arts and cultural offerings. Some options of the oh-so-Southern activities that will be going on include:

Connoisseur Tours of the Charleston Historical Library Society, beginning September

As the South’s first cultural institution (founded in 1748) and the third oldest circulating library in the U.S., the Charleston Library Society offers a distinctive glimpse into the mind of colonial America, the Civil War, the Charleston Renaissance and the present.  For the first time, the Society will offer private tours that will offer exposure to and instruction of hands-on bookbinding by its newly appointed director of bookbinding.  Visitors will also enjoy a rare visit to the vaults to view one of the country’s finest collections of books, manuscripts, maps and pamphlets dating as far back as the 15^th century.  For more information, visit www.charlestonlibrarysociety.org. To arrange a complimentary tour, call 843-723-9912.

Rice Harvest at Middleton Place, September 15

Middleton Place is a National Trust Historic Landmark and is home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America.  The 65-acre plantation is inviting visitors to join a costumed interpreter at the rice field for a hands-on demonstration on how Carolina Gold rice was harvested on Lowcountry plantations.  They can learn about the complex planting, harvesting and processing of rice from field to plate. www.middletonplace.org; 843-556-6020.


Sweetgrass Basket Workshop at Charleston Museum, September 15

Guests are invited to learn to make sweetgrass baskets with traditional basket maker Sarah Edwards-Hammond.  An iconic art form of the South Carolina Lowcountry, participants will learn about their history, view historic sweetgrass and other similar coiled baskets from Charleston Museum’s collection and sew their own creation.  Workshop is for adults only, takes place from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., and includes all supplies.  Experience is not required and cost is $45 per person.  For more information, visit the calendar of events section at www.charlestonmuseum.org; 843-722-2996 x235.

Museum Mile Weekend, September 21-23

Charleston’s Museum Mile features the richest concentration of cultural sites open to visitors in downtown Charleston. Guests can stroll the one-mile section of Meeting Street and discover six museums, five nationally important historic houses, four scenic parks and a Revolutionary War powder magazine, in addition to numerous historic houses of worship and public buildings including the City Market and City Hall. From Sept. 21-23, these cultural institutions will be providing special programming throughout the weekend and tickets reflecting values of 75 percent.  Package themes including Charleston architecture, African American heritage, the American Revolution and the Civil War are also available. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 12 and under.  Beginning July 1, tickets can be purchased online at www.charlestonmuseummile.org; 843-722-2996 x235.

Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock & Roll Photography at the Gibbes Museum of Art,

September 21 - December 30           

The Gibbes Museum of Art is Charleston’s signature art museum. This special exhibition features the iconic leaders of rock and roll, blues, and hip-hop—distinctly American forms of music with Southern roots—in images taken over the past five decades by the foremost photographers of contemporary musicians. www.gibbesmuseum.org;

843-722-2706.

Annual Family Picnic at the Dill Sanctuary, October 21

Families are invited to explore the natural side of the Lowcountry alongside the banks of the Sono River at Charleston Museum’s picturesque wildlife sanctuary.  They can enjoy a nature walk, butterfly release, live music by the Susie Summers Duo, Lowcountry dinner, children’s games, hayrides, demonstrations by Birds of Prey and the SCDNR Touch Tank.  The picnic takes place from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children under 12 and kids five and under are free.  For more information, visit the calendar of events section at www.charlestonmuseum.org or call 843-722-2996 x235.