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Come Celebrate Jamestown’s 149th year!

July 26, 2019 - July 28, 2019

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*Photo and Article courtesy of SCNOW Morning News

FLORENCE, S.C. – The Jamestown Foundation will celebrate the 149th year of the African-American settlement July 26-28.

The Jamestown settlement is located in the Mars Bluff community of Florence County and was founded in 1870 by Ervin James, a former slave and determined landowner. He purchased the property from two white landowners, Eli McKissick and Mary Poston, a move that was risky for all parties involved.

According to Terry James, a descendant of Ervin James and the director of the Jamestown Foundation, the settlement included more than 200 acres and became a haven for those who lived there. He said the community was self-sufficient and residents rarely had to leave the property.

James said the foundation hosts Come Celebrate Jamestown each year to keep Ervin’s legacy alive.“We do this to honor those who came before us and to keep their legacy alive, their struggles and joy,” James said.Even though the Civil War has been over for more than 150 years, James said the residual effects still linger today.“It’s important that we remember so we won’t repeat that era of history,” he said.

Three days’ worth of activities are planned to celebrate Jamestown this year, beginning with a prayer breakfast and health fair on July 26. The breakfast and health fair will start at 8:30 a.m. and go until 1 p.m. at City Grill, 260 W. Palmetto St. in Florence. James said the health fair will feature professionals from McLeod Health.

At 7 p.m. on July 26, a performance of “For the Love of the Land” will be presented at Francis Marion University’s Chapman Auditorium. The play is performed annually. The Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters will also perform. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Festivities on July 27 will begin on the original Jamestown settlement at 6301 Jamestown Road in Florence. People will gather on the property for indigo dyeing, iron works, Native American dancing and drumming, 54th Massachusetts Civil War re-enactments and sweet grass basket weaving, among other things. The event is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Featured participants include artist Arianne King Comer, Jeri Taylor with sweet grass baskets and period chef B.J. Dennis.

A banquet is scheduled from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on July 27 at the Francis Marion University Café, located at 4822 E. Palmetto St., Florence. The banquet will feature Heather L. Hodges, director of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, musical guests Zeb Harrison and Sounds of Praise and professional vocalist Tshombe Selby.

The Jamestown Foundation invites supporters to worship with members of the family at 10 a.m. July 28 at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. The church is located at 5040 Liberty Chapel Road in Florence. A dinner will follow the service.

The Jamestown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places last month. The property contains the James cemetery and a Reconstruction-era cabin that belonged to Tony and Jan James. The foundation’s next goal is to restore the last standing cabin on the property. James said it will cost about $150,000 to completely restore the cabin.

For more information about Come Celebrate Jamestown, contact James at jamest955@att.net or 843-661-5679.

Details

Start:
July 26, 2019
End:
July 28, 2019

Venue

Multiple
Florence, SC United States