As we continue into hurricane season, we encourage all residents to download the Connect Camden SC app, in order to receive timely notifications from the City in cases of power outages related to storms and inclement weather.
We also encourage you to report any power outages, downed trees, or street flooding via the Connect Camden App, available on the App Store or Google Play Store. This will allow the City to track your report and provide updates.
A traveling exhibit from the South Carolina State Museum has made its way to Camden. Featuring 40 photographs exploring the story of the black baseball team from Rembert, and their fans, this exhibit is on display through September at the African American Cultural Center, located at 517 York Street.
Until Jackie Robinson and Camden’s Larry Doby broke the color barrier in 1947, major league baseball was the strictly for white players and fans. Segregated and separated, black players were forced to form leagues of their own. Based on the 1998 book The 521 All-Stars: A Championship Story of Baseball and Community, by Frye Gaillard with photographs by Byron Baldwin, this exhibit displays the 521 All-Stars, which formed in the 1920s, and the community that surrounded and supported them. It showcases both the camaraderie of the game – teams made up of brothers, fathers and sons, along with the harsh realities of the conditions they played in – bits of scrap metal collected to create base lines, rotten wood bleachers, pine tree branches for brooms.
“This exhibition encapsulates not just the story of the 521 All-Stars, but of comradery and community, of stories and memories that bring people together. I think that is powerfully beautiful,” says Timia Thompson, Collections Outreach Manager.
Named for Hwy 521, which runs past their baseball field, the 521 All-Stars played for the love of the game. In 1996, author Frye Gaillard was driving north on Route 521 when he discovered a homemade ballpark and stopped to take pictures of the players. He and photographer Byron Baldwin spent two more seasons documenting the baseball team.
“I think this exhibit is important because it shows how a game like baseball brings people together,” says South Carolina State Museum’s Curator of History, Fritz Hamer who organized the traveling exhibit.
Byron Baldwin donated his photographs for this traveling exhibit. It will be on display through September at the African American Cultural Center, 517 York Street in downtown Camden. The Center is currently open on Saturdays, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour returns to Kershaw County June 1st and 2nd. This free, self-guided tour of farms and markets, and – this year – arts campuses, features local artisans and farmers at every stop.
This year’s tour welcomes new farms, such as Marshall Farm in Bethune and Granny Creek Homestead in Westville, as well as previously participating sites such as Canebrake Apiary, Gorget Distilling Co., the Farm at Historic Camden, and the Kershaw County Farmers Market. Also new this year, the Arts Center of Kershaw County and Camden Arts Shoppes will serve as tour sites, hosting local farmers. Many sites will have live demonstrations, as well as products and food for sale.
The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour is now in its thirteenth (13th) year, and has twenty (20) counties participating in 2024. This annual agritourism attraction is a great way to educate people about where their food and fiber come from and introduce them to local artisans, says Will Culler, Clemson Extension Agribusiness Agent, and Tour Director.
“We are proud of the commitment of our farms, artisans, and county teams. Because of that, we can sustain continued growth,” Culler said. “One of our goals has been to give people a better knowledge of what is produced in their backyard and help them to support local businesses while making healthier food choices. This event does that by putting food and product with a face.”
The following sites will be featured in Kershaw County June 1st and 2nd:
Canebrake Apiary and Aquaponics – 1239 John G. Richards Road, Camden – Saturday 9am-4pm, Sunday, 1pm-4pm – Canebrake is a hobby farm that produces honey, products from the hive, eggs, and organic fruits and vegetables. Purchase fresh, local honey, and products from the hive. The apiary will be bustling and you can see where the bees forage and how their honey is processed. The family-sized aquaponic system is running for you to learn how to produce your own food year ’round at home. Artisans and activities include: Wateree Beekeepers, SEA Associates, CRM Associates – all providing local honey and hive products, Chick Bee Quilting, Cosmic Carnivorous Plants, Black Creek Wildlife Center, the Eager Beavers 4-H club, SC Master Naturalists, Motley Farms, RU Feeling Crafty, Tara’s Crafty, Muddy’s Teas, Pink Moon Tie Dye, Old South Creations, and the SC Governor’s School.
Granny Creek Homestead – 257 Payne Pond Road, Westville – Saturday 9 am-4pm, Sunday 1-4pm – Have you ever wanted to know how to start a small homestead or see where the goat milk soaps come from? Embark on an enriching tour of this 10-acre homestead, where you’ll encounter a vibrant community of chickens, Nigerian Dwarf goats, and American Guinea Hogs. Artisans and activities include: Handcrafted Visions, Bushels and Bags Farm, Grammy, Mommy, and ME, and Heartland Farm.
Marshall Farm – 1327 Old Georgetown Road East, Bethune – Saturday 9 am-4pm, Sunday 1-4pm – Open seasonally, this farm is full of tulips and strawberries in the spring, pumpkins and a corn maze in the fall. See goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, rabbits & more. Enjoy the outdoor games for kids and adults. Artisans and activities include: Blue Horse Jewelry, KHLOE & Calluna, Sticks and Stones and Words that Really Matter, From My Soap Box, and PurpleRoo.
Arts Center of Kershaw County – 810 Lyttleton Street, Camden – Saturday 9 am-4pm, Sunday 1-4pm – The artistic hub of Kershaw County, the Arts Center’s 3 acre campus is in the heart of Camden. Stroll through the Bassett Gallery’s latest exhibit and visit with the affiliated artisans while you enjoy live music from the arbor. Farms, artisans and activities on site include: Michelle’s Celestial Gardens, Costas Farm, Carolina Construction Equipment, indigo dying, Glory Bee Baskets, and Pine Tree Wildlife Rescue.
The Farm at Historic Camden – 222 Broad Street, Camden – Saturday, 10am-4pm – Historic Camden’s farm has grown considerably over the years, and showcases how 18th century settlers worked the land. Artisans and vendors on site will include resident potter Marti Wallace, Sudsy Dreams, Aurora’s Thorn Custom Creations.
Kershaw County Farmers Market – 906 Broad Street, Camden – Saturday only, 9 am-12 pm – Voted #1 Farmers Market in South Carolina in 2023, this is a family-friendly (pets included) place to enjoy the very best of South Carolina-grown and made products. Locally-grown produce, meat and dairy products, fresh baked goods and desserts, artisan crafts, food trucks, and more.
Gorget Distilling Co. – 1974-A Whiting Way, Lugoff – Open 10 am – 4 pmSaturday only – Kershaw County’s only distillery and a member of the Certified SC Grown program, customers are able to tour the distillery, view the spirit making process and understand how it all starts, in the field, to end in the glass. Distillery Tours given every 30 minutes between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
Camden Art Shoppes – 1011 Broad Street, Camden, Open 9 am – 4 pm Saturday only – This local artist cooperative gallery and retail space consists of 80 artists, some of whom produce art related to agriculture and farming. Find specially designated art related to the agricultural theme of the Tour, along with farmers on sight to display and sell their wares. Classes and demonstrations, take home art kits and more available.
Free concerts return to Town Green this spring, with a variety of music every other Thursday evening from April 18 to May 30. Get your blanket or lawn chair, family and friends, to enjoy live music outdoors. Bring a picnic dinner or grab some takeout from your favorite local restaurant.
Opening the Blankets & Bands spring series is local favorite New Old Friends on Thursday, April 18. The musicians of New Old Friends met here in Camden, and quickly bonded over their shared love of tried-and-true sounds shined up with fresh arrangements. Each member brings a unique musical flavor to the band. The group is known to jump genres and mash up influences, making for memorable sets and happy audiences.
All concerts will be held on Thursdays, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm, weather permitting. Beer and wine are permitted on Town Green during the hours of the concerts. No glass containers are allowed on Town Green. In the event of cancelation due to weather, notifications will be placed on the City’s website and Downtown Camden Cultural District social media channels.
On May 2nd, Brighter Beginnings takes the stage at Town Green. With roots in Southern Gospel, R&B, and Soul music, these nieces and nephews of the late Brook Benton of Lugoff, SC have music running in their veins.
On Thursday, May 16th you can swing with Flat Out Strangers. This hot vocal gypsy swing & jazz band is danceable, addictive, and timeless. You’ll be on your feet in no time!
Officially welcome in summer with 10 Cent Rich on Thursday, May 30. Known for sets featuring classic hits and classic rock, 10 Cent Rich has become a staple of the Camden music scene. Always a crowd pleaser, their performance will close out the spring season of Blankets & Bands.
The Blankets & Bands concert series is a partnership between the Downtown Camden Cultural District and the Arts Center of Kershaw County, bringing free, live music to the community during the spring and fall months.
Blanket & Bands Spring Concert Schedule New Old Friends – Thursday, 4/18 Brighter Beginnings – Thursday, 5/2 Flat Out Strangers – Thursday, 5/16 10 Cent Rich – Thursday, 5/30
One of the oldest homes in Camden, Samuel Mathis purchased this lot in 1805 from Joseph Kershaw and the home was built by 1810. The home remained in the Mathis family until it was sold in 1850.
In 1977, caterer, bon vivant, and collector Jack Brantley purchased the home. Jack lived and operated his very successful catering business, Aberdeen Catery from this house until it was gifted to the city if Camden in September of 2021.
Aberdeen combines many of the original features with Jack’s love of beauty and opulence. Vibrant colors and elaborate moldings enhance his extensive collection of antiques and porcelains. Every piece in the home was either gifted to or purchased by Jack. His collection philosophy was very simple, “It is pretty. I like it. I will buy it.”
Generations of Camden residents remember Aberdeen as the most hospitable home in Camden. Jack never failed to open his doors for friends – and everyone was a friend. The Camden Archives and Museum and the City of Camden are proud to continue Jack’s tradition of hospitality by opening Aberdeen for guided tours.
Tours will be conducted Saturdays at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:00 pm. Guests should sign up for a tour through Eventbrite. Walk-ins will be accepted as space allows. Due to the size of the home, groups of 10 or more will need to contact the Archives to make alternate arrangements.
The holidays just feel special here in Camden. Many think it’s that small town charm, which just gets brighter and jollier as the end of the year approaches. Parades and performances abound, decorations appear along our city streets, and shops and restaurants are bustling with good cheer and great gift ideas.
Make plans to join in on some of these special holiday events and activities, starting with the City of Camden’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 30 at 6:00 pm at City Hall, 1000 Lyttleton Street. The Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the “12 Days of Christmas”, highlighting community events taking place in and around Camden between November 30 and December 11. In addition to traditional holiday events, many local businesses will host open houses, pop-up shops, visits with Santa, and more fun and festive ways to help you complete your holiday shopping with less stress.
Here’s a listing of events taking place during the 12 Days of Christmas. Check back often, as more are added each week. We hope to see you out there!
