Historians to discuss forgotten moments in Upcountry’s past

Eight historians from the region will speak about forgotten moments in 19th century Upcountry history Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Upcountry History Museum-Furman University.

The talk is part of the museum’s History After Dark Program and is open to the public. The event is free for Upcountry History Museum-Furman University members, $5 for non-members, and $2.50 for students.

The conversation is based on a newly released book written by the eight historians, Recovering the Piedmont Past: Unexplored Moments in Nineteenth-Century Upcountry South Carolina History.

During the program, the authors reveal new insights about the Upcountry and its role in the nation, and engage in a discussion about how exploring local history can lead to deeper understandings of the American past.

The contributors explore topics such as the history of education in the region, post-Civil War occupation by Union troops, Upcountry tourism, Freedman’s Bureau’s efforts to educate African Americans, and the complex dynamics of lynch mobs in the late 19th century.

The authors include:

• Katherine D. Cann, Spartanburg Methodist College
• Timothy P. Grady, University of South Carolina-Upstate
• Nancy Snell Griffith, Presbyterian College
• Carol Loar, University of South Carolina-Upstate
• Robert B. McCormick, University of South Carolina-Upstate
• Andrew H. Myers, University of South Carolina-Upstate
• Diane C. Vecchio, Furman University
• Melissa Walker, Converse College

For more information about the program, contact Timothy W. Bishop, Director of Museum Development, Upcountry History Museum-Furman University, 864-467-3100, or visit http://www.upcountryhistory.org/.