South Carolina Humanities Festival

SAVE THE DATE: The festival will take place Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19, 2025.

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Every year, South Carolina Humanities sponsors a Humanities Festival in a community in South Carolina. Established in 1993 in honor of South Carolina Humanities’ 20th Anniversary, the Humanities Festival has been held in 24 different communities. Each festival celebrates the local history and culture of the host community, engaging the citizens in lectures, discussions, films, and exhibits and facilitating partnerships among cultural organizations and community groups.

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Friday, October 17, 2025

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night Reception
Location: Lancaster County Council of the Arts, 201 W Gay St, Lancaster, SC 29720
Celebrate the Humanities Festival in Lancaster County with the Opening Night Reception. Join Randy Akers, retired SC Humanities Executive Director, for refreshments and festival program overview, as well as the opening of the exhibition, The Springs Close Family Collection.

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Saturday, October 18, 2025

All Day Events (view festival guide for specific times): Springs Close Collection at the Historic Springs House, Tour of the Historic Craig House, Pop-up Cultural Exhibits at various locations in downtown, Paws on Parade, Lancaster County History Museum, Open Artist Studios, USCL Native American Studies Center

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Kids Storytime with Arts/Crafts
Main Library, 313 S White St, Lancaster, SC 29720

11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Guided Walking Tour of Public Art and Historic Downtown Lancaster
Meeting location in festival guide

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Storywalk Opening
Lindsay Pettus Greenway, 453 Colonial Ave, Lancaster, SC 29720

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lecture: Reconstruction & the Klan with Fergus Bordewich
Cultural Arts Center, 309 W Gay St, Lancaster, SC 29720

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Family Picnic on the Greenway
Join us for a family picnic on the Greenway. LCCA will provide blankets and fun family activities.

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Explore with Granny Greenway
Lindsay Pettus Greenway, 453 Colonial Ave, Lancaster, SC 29720

1:00 p.m.
Grant Writing Workshop with SC Humanities
Historic Springs House, 201 W Gay St, Lancaster, SC 29720

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lecture and Longleaf Pine Needle Basketry Workshop with Beckee Garris
USCL Native American Studies Center, 119 S Main St, Lancaster, SC 29720

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lecture on Colonel Springs with Ann Evans and Dr. Chris Bundrick
Cultural Arts Center, 309 W Gay St, Lancaster, SC 29720

7:00 p.m. – until
Movie Showing of Nina May McKinney in “Hallelujah” with a brief introduction by local film historian, Bart Montgomery (free movie snacks provided)
Historic Springs House, 201 W Gay St, Lancaster, SC 29720

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Sunday, October 19, 2025

All Day Events: Springs Close Collection at the Historic Springs House, Pop-up Cultural Exhibits at various locations in downtown, Paws on Parade, Lancaster County History Museum, Open Artist Studios, USCL Native American Studies Center

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lecture on the Works Progress Administration with Dr. Susan Wallerstein
Historic Courthouse, 104 North Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720

2:00 p.m.
Guided Walking Tour of Public Art and Historic Downtown Lancaster. Meeting location in festival guide.

3:00 p.m.
Poetry & Prose
The Daily Grind Coffee Bar, 315 S Main St, Lancaster, SC 29720

3:00 p.m.
Bach Akademie Charlotte Concert (tickets required)
Cultural Arts Center, 309 W Gay St, Lancaster, SC 29720
Purchase tickets: https://lcshp.org/cultural-arts-center-concerts-events

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Closing Event at Mural Court
Join us as we celebrate the closing of the 2025 Humanities Festival with family activities, food trucks, and live music.
Mural Court, Dunlap Street across from the Historic Courthouse

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