Upcountry History Museum

White Christmas Virtual Tour
2021-01-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2020-12-30 14:00 - 15:00, 2020-12-23 14:00 - 15:00, 2020-12-16 14:00 - 15:00, 2020-12-09 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
From the comfort of home, experience the musical genius of Irving Berlin and the making of this beloved holiday film as our docents guide you through White Christmas: The Exhibition. Explore the original costumes worn by White Christmas stars Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Vera-Ellen and Danny Kaye, as well as props, personal cast memorabilia, and archival materials. Each tour will end with time for Q&A.

Virtual Tours will occur every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. beginning December 9, 2020 through January 27, 2021.

$10 per person
No refunds or membership discounts.
Registrants will receive an email with their tour link by noon on the Tuesday before their registered tour date.

Homeschool Day - American Revolution
2020-12-29 13:30 - 15:00
Our Stars & Stripes: The American Revolutionary War
Compare patriots and loyalists during the American Revolution as we learn about the founding of our nation. Learn the history of our flag, important battles and key figures from SC. This lesson meets SC standards for 3rd-4th grade, and is designed for children ages 8-10 years old.

WHAT: History Homeschool Day

WHEN: Every last Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: Open to children ages 8-10 years old

WHY: Get hands-on with local history while incorporating SC Social Studies standards

COST: $9 per student & $10 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $5 per student & Adults are FREE

Homeschool Day - White Christmas
2020-12-18 13:30 - 15:00
White Christmas: The Exhibition
Celebrate the holidays with a look back at the classic 1954 film, “White Christmas.” Explore the history, costumes, props and memorabilia through guided tours and holiday-themed crafts.

WHAT: Exhibit Homeschool Days

WHEN: Every 3rd Friday at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: Open to kids ages 6-18 years old

WHY: Get hands-on with history while incorporating state standards

COST: $9 per student & $10 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $5 per student & Adults are FREE

Lunchbox Learning
2020-12-16 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter: Margaret Caterisano, Professor of Costume Design, Furman University
Topic: White Christmas: Dressings for Music and Memories
Costumes can instantly give the audience insight into a character, so much so that the memory of a specific costume may last long after the show has ended. Join Furman University’s Professor of Costume Design, Margaret Caterisano, for a look at the design process and a glimpse at the beloved costumes from the holiday classic, White Christmas.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AS ATTENDANCE MUST BE LIMITED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL GUESTS.

UHM Kids Book Club
2020-12-08 15:30 - 16:30
Alien in my Pocket: #1 Blast Off

Enjoy games and activities that bring to life the adventures of your favorite storybooks. Book Club meetings 3:30-4:30 pm. Parents: Please prepare for each UHM Kids Book Club by reading the book listed below.

Digging Our History - Homeschool Day
2020-11-24 13:30 - 15:00
Digging Our History
Unearth the connection between archaeology and history with a mini “dig” to find artifacts left behind by Native Americans. This lesson meets SC standards for 2nd-4th grade, and is designed for children ages 7-10 years old.

WHAT: History Homeschool Day

WHEN: Every last Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: Open to children ages 7-10 years old

WHY: Get hands-on with local history while incorporating SC Social Studies standards

COST: $9 per student & $10 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $5 per student & Adults are FREE

Homeschool Day - Battle of Tarawa
2020-11-20 13:30 - 15:00
Ghost Trail: U.S. Marines & the Battle of Tarawa in the Pacific, 1943
Few military battles have matched the concentrated ferocity of the three-day fight between U.S. and Japanese forces in November 1943 for a sandy sliver of land halfway between Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. Learn the history and importance behind this 76-hour battle against a heavily fortified Japanese force.

WHAT: Exhibit Homeschool Day

WHEN: Every third Friday at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: Open to children in 1st-12th grade

WHY: Get hands-on with local history while incorporating SC Social Studies standards

COST: $9 per student & $10 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $5 per student & Adults are FREE

Lunchbox Learning
2020-11-11 12:00 - 13:00
Wednesday, November 11 at Noon
Presenter: Major Ralph Stoney Bates, USMC (Ret.)
Topic: Chester & Nimitz: A Study in Contrast during the War in the Pacific, WWII
Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur shared the prosecution of the war in the Pacific, while General Dwight Eisenhower alone controlled the war in Europe and Africa during World War II. Ike was in charge! No questions about it. He pretty much called the shots while balancing English, Russian, and French egos in the process. While both war areas were part of the overall strategy of winning the war, they were actually two different wars. Other than carrying soldiers ashore from the sea in Africa, and Europe, and the deadly ship-sub encounters, Europe was a land war while the Pacific was a naval war. Thus, President Roosevelt chose two commanders in the Pacific war. Both men were his choice against the wishes both War and Navy Departments.

Many writers state that Nimitz had command of the North Pacific while MacArthur had the South Pacific. That is not so. MacArthur had the Southwestern Pacific area of Australia, Borneo, New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, and the Philippines, while Nimitz had everything else from the Aleutian’s in the Northern Pacific, all the Central Pacific and all the South Pacific from French Polynesia to the Coral Sea. In reality, Nimitz commanded the Pacific Oceans Area while MacArthur commanded the Southwestern Pacific. Although MacArthur preferred the title of Commander-In-Chief he was designated Supreme Commander Southwest Pacific while Nimitz was designated Supreme Commander Pacific Oceans Area. That is up until 1945.

These two men could have been from two different universes. They were complete opposites. Find out how they successfully defeated Imperial Japans war machine between 1941 and 1945.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AS ATTENDANCE MUST BE LIMITED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL GUESTS.

Lunchbox Learning is generously sponsored by:

Kids Book Club
2020-11-10 15:30 - 16:30
Reserve your spot for the next book club meeting and bring to life the adventures of the timeless classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Encounter all sorts of silliness with games and crafts while also exploring the book’s various characters and the hilariously odd situations they encounter.

Sacred Spaces with Bill Fitzpatrick
2020-11-05 12:00 - 13:30
The area of McCormick and Abbeville Counties was known as the “Calhoun Settlement” or “Lower Long Canes.” Learn of the Lower Long Cane Massacre site where the matriarch of the Calhoun family, Catherine, was killed by the Cherokee. Her son, Patrick, survived and went on to have a son of his own, John C. Calhoun. Bill Fitzpatrick will discuss these stories along with the history of Cedar Springs Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Ninety Six Star Fort, a site of Revolutionary War battles.

Reservations are required.

$8.00 for UHM Members
$12.00 for all other guests

History Homeschool Day: Reedy River
2020-10-27 13:30 - 15:00
Our Ripple Effect: The Revitalization of the Reedy River
Explore the history of the Reedy River, traveling back to the time of the Cherokee and industrialization, up to today’s use of the revitalized river. This lesson meets SC standards for Kindergarten through 6th grade , and is designed for children ages 5-12 years old.

WHAT: History Homeschool Day

WHEN: Every last Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: Open to children ages 5-12 years old

WHY: Get hands-on with local history while incorporating SC Social Studies standards

COST: $9 per student & $10 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $5 per student & Adults are FREE

Toddler Story Time
2020-10-22 10:30 - 11:00
Join us for a socially distanced yet fun Toddler Story Time!

Each family will have their own station with puzzles, matching games and coloring pages with crayons. After story time, explore the Museum and the Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit. There will also be a museum-wide scavenger hunt.

COSTUMES ARE ENCOURAGED!!

All children ages 3 and under are FREE.

It is general admission for all other guests and your admission is good for the entire day.

COVID-19 Guidelines:

All guests ages 10 and older are required to wear masks.
Hand sanitizer stations are distributed throughout the Museum.
Currently, there will be no snacks nor juice at Toddler Time.
We will not have any character greetings or photo opportunities.

Attendance is limited, so feel free to purchase tickets online or call (864)467-3100 for more details.

Clifford Homeschool Day
2020-10-16 13:30 - 15:00
The Adventures of Clifford the Big Red Dog
For October, we board the Bridwell Island ferry and journey to the world of Clifford the Big Red Dog! Enjoy games, crafts, story times, and of course, play time with Clifford and Emily Elizabeth.

WHAT: Exhibit Homeschool Days

WHEN: Every 3rd Friday at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: October Homeschool Day is for children in grades 1st-5th.

WHY: Get hands-on with history while incorporating state standards

COST: $9 per student & $10 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $5 per student & Adults are FREE

UHM Kids Book Club
2020-10-13 15:30 - 16:30
Enjoy games, crafts and engaging activities that bring to life the adventures of the children’s classic, The One and Only Ivan.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AS ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED.

Please call (864)467-3100 or email the name and ages of those attending to info@upcountryhistory.org

Sacred Spaces with Bill Fitzpatrick
2020-10-01 12:00 - 13:30
As the oldest church in South Carolina’s Upstate, Waxhaw Presbyterian Church has a history that begins around 1755 when Scots-Irish Presbyterians from Pennsylvania and Virginia settled in the area. This program will feature stories of its well-known members, including seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson; and the Waxhaw Cemetery, listed in the National Register, and significant in its relationship to Revolutionary War Era figures Andrew Jackson, William Richardson Davie, and Andrew Pickens. In addition, the 18th- and 19th-century tombstones are noteworthy examples of bas-relief carvings that illustrate the lives of the deceased.

Reservations are required.

$8.00 for UHM Members
$12.00 for all other guests

History Homeschool Day: K5-1st
2020-09-29 13:30 - 15:00
Our Community: Then & Now

Investigate artifacts, photographs, and maps illustrating Greenville’s history as we explore how our community has changed over time. This lesson meet SC standards for Kindergarten and 1st grade, and is designed for children ages 5-7 years old.

WHAT: History Homeschool Day

WHEN: Every last Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: Open to children ages 5-7 years old

WHY: Get hands-on with local history while incorporating SC Social Studies standards

COST: $9 per student & $10 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $5 per student & Adults are FREE

19th Amendment Homeschool Day
2020-09-18 13:30 - 15:00
Celebrate the centennial of women’s suffrage by exploring the stories of women’s struggles to achieve full citizenship. Children will examine photographs, drawings, illustrations and artifacts, while also learning about local and South Carolina women that helped organize and lead the movement.

WHAT: Exhibition Homeschool Day

WHEN: Every 3rd Friday at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: Kids divide into two groups – Elementary & Middle/High School

WHY: Learn the history behind the Museum’s special exhibitions and particular periods of time and areas of history

COST: $9 per student & $10 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $5 per student & Adults are FREE

Call (864)467-3100 to register your child.

Lunchbox Learning
2020-09-16 12:00 - 13:00
Topic: “An Afternoon with Mrs. Eulalie Salley, South Carolina Suffragette”

Presenter: Dr. Kate Roark, Spartanburg Methodist College

Mrs. Eulalie Salley was a passionate fighter for women’s suffrage in South Carolina. In 1973, the Southern Oral History Program interviewed Mrs. Salley about her experiences as a suffragette. Dr. Kate Roark, Spartanburg Methodist College, created a short performance from Mrs. Salley’s exact words from her 1973 interview. You will hear what motivated Mrs. Salley to become a suffragette and what she experienced as an organizer and speaker in her home of Aiken, SC.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AS ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED.

Please call (864)467-3100 or email info@upcountryhistory.org to reserve your seat(s).

To purchase your ticket online, simply follow the link below:

Lunchbox Learning is generously sponsored by:

Kids Book Club
2020-09-08 15:30 - 16:30
Enjoy games, crafts and engaging activities that bring to life the adventures of the children’s classic, Charlotte’s Web.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AS ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED.

Call (864)467-3100 to make your reservations or purchase your tickets online at the link below:

Ghost Trail: U.S. Marines and the Battle of Tarawa in the Pacific, 1943
2020-08-22 10:00 - 2021-01-03 17:00
August 22, 2020 – January 3, 2021
The November 1943 invasion of the Gilbert Islands was the beginning of the U.S. “island hopping” campaign in the central Pacific during World War II. U.S. commanders determined that amphibious attacks on Japanese-occupied islands was the key to victory. The island of Tarawa was the first target in the Allied campaign.
About 80 nautical miles north of the equator, Tarawa is the largest atoll of the Gilberts, a 16-island chain roughly halfway between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea. The Japanese seized the then-British-occupied isle just days after Japan’s December 7, 1941 attack at Pearl Harbor. Tarawa’s main island Betio, was the target of the Navy and Marine Corps in November of 1943.
The Battle of Tarawa, November 20-23, 1943, was the first major American offensive in the central Pacific. Until then, Americans hadn’t faced much opposition during amphibious assaults. But Tarawa was different. The initial landings by the 2nd Marine Division met a heavily fortified Japanese force.
Japanese Rear Admiral Meichi Shibasaki, said “a million Americans” wouldn’t be able to take Tarawa in “100 years.” Americans took Tarawa in 76 hours.
Few military battles have matched the concentrated ferocity of the three-day fight between U.S. and Japanese forces in November 1943 for a sandy sliver of land halfway between Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. The U.S. delivery of coordinated land, sea and air power brought a U.S. force of over 30,000 men, a 10-1 advantage over the Japanese.
Tarawa was an essential WWII stepping-stone across the Pacific. In what one combat correspondent called “the toughest battle in Marine Corps history,” U.S. Marines wrestled it away at a cost of more than 1,009 men. All but 17 of the 3,500 dug-in Japanese defenders were killed, along with 1,100 Korean slave laborers. The search for the missing bodies of more than 100 U.S. Marines buried on the island continues today.
The Upcountry History Museum in partnership with the U.S. Navy History and Heritage Command will commemorate the service and sacrifice of the U.S. Marines at the Battle of Tarawa through a special exhibition featuring original combat art by Kerr Eby who traveled with the Marines in the South Pacific and landed with the invasion force at Tarawa, photography, rare film footage and artifacts.

Lunchbox Learning
2020-08-19 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter: Dr, Courtney Tollison, Furman University
Topic: “Greenville Women in the Fight for the Vote, 1890-1920”
Join Dr. Courtney Tollison for an exploration of the suffrage movement in Greenville. Learn how local events and individuals fit into the state and national movements. Dr. Tollison will also offer an update on local efforts to memorialize the centennial, which, are kicking off nationally in August 2020 and continue through August 2021.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AS ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED.
Please call (864)467-3100 or email info@upcountryhistory.org to reserve your seat(s).

Lunchbox Learning is generously sponsored by:

UHM Kids Book Club
2020-08-11 15:30 - 16:30
Enjoy games and activities that bring to life the adventures of the children’s classic, Horrible Harry and the Green Slime.

*Reservations are required as attendance is limited.*
Please call (864)467-3100 or follow the link below to email the name and ages of those attending the meeting.

Book Club meets from 3:30-4:30 pm. Parents: Please prepare for each UHM Kids Book Club by reading the book beforehand.

Behind the Scenes of UHM: Summer Camp
2020-08-11 09:00 - 2020-08-14 12:00
AUGUST 11 – AUGUST 14
Discover how museums and their exhibits are created! Children will receive an exclusive behind the scenes look at museum collections, learn how artifacts are collected from the community, and how artifacts are selected for exhibitions. Children will learn the various facets of museum jobs and roles, create their own exhibitions, and create commercials and marketing materials to promote their exhibits.

Smaller groups equals BIGGER experiences!
Each camp group will be limited to only 8 children to ensure your child’s safety while following guidelines related to COVID-19.
Children will be grouped by age (or request) in either the 6-9 age group or the 10-12 age group.

COST
$150 – UHM Members
$170 – Nonmembers

Neighborhood Night
2020-08-06 17:30 - 20:30
Enjoy free admission from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. along with free book give-a-ways for families.

We hope that through Neighborhood Nights we can show museums are available for families regardless of economic constraints. No registration is required. Book give-a-ways are limited in number and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Take advantage of this FREE night to visit and explore Upcountry history, as well as current traveling exhibits:

Cherokee, Catawba & First Settlers: Summer Camp
2020-08-04 09:00 - 2020-08-07 12:00
AUGUST 4 – AUGUST 7
Travel back to the time of the Upcountry’s indigenous people while unearthing the connection between archaeology and history with our mini “archaeology dig” that will allow children to uncover artifacts left behind by Native Americans and early settlers. Children will create a 13-moon calendar, red clay pottery and construct a model ship similar to those that transported settlers.

Smaller groups equals BIGGER experiences!
Each camp group will be limited to only 8 children to ensure your child’s safety while following guidelines related to COVID-19.
Children will be grouped by age (or request) in either the 6-9 age group or the 10-12 age group.

COST
$150 – UHM Members
$170 – Nonmembers

The History of Flag Day
2020-06-14 08:00 - 23:30
Flag Day: A Celebration of the American Flag
Although Flag Day is observed on a smaller scale than neighboring patriotic holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day, the observance has
its own rich history.

When the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists were not fighting united under a single flag. Instead, most regiments participating in the war for independence against the British fought under their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army – a unified colonial fighting force – with the hopes of more organized battle against its colonial oppressors. This led to the creation of what was, essentially, the first “American” flag, the Continental Colors.

For some colonists, this flag, which was comprised of 13 red and white alternating stripes and a Union Jack in the corner, was too similar to the British flag. George Washington soon realized that flying a flag that was even remotely close to the British flag was not a great confidence-builder for the revolutionary effort, so he turned his efforts towards creating a new symbol of freedom for our soon-to-be fledgling nation.

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternating red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a constellation.”

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson declared June 14 as National Flag Day, proclaiming, “The Flag has vindicated its right to be honored by all nations of the world and feared by none who do righteousness.” On August 3, 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress recognizing the holiday of Flag Day and encouraging Americans to celebrate it.

For President Truman the concept of Flag Day was not only to celebrate its creation, but to acknowledge the ideals behind it.
