♪ opening music ♪ ♪ >> As one of the original 13 States of America, South Carolina has a unique and complex history.

The stories of our past can be found in the architecture of the historic districts through the relics of the past and through the people who are working to preserve it.

Along the banks of Charleston's Cooper River is one of the most hauntingly beautiful cemeteries in South Carolina.

Founded in 1849, Magnolia cemetery holds stories of authors and poets, of politicians of soldiers and socialites.

It's a window into the past with tales that can't be found in history books.

♪ >> Hello again, friends.

So, a fun fact about me, or maybe not so fun is I'm actually a very jumpy person like it's embarrassingly easy to scare me.

So, tonight it should be interesting, because I'm going take a tour of Magnolia Cemetery, a ghost tour and things are about to get spooky.

Let's go for it.

♪ Alright, y'all, this is John LaVerne with Bulldogs Tours here in Charleston.

John, why don't you tell us a little bit about BullDog Tours and what you guys do here.

>> Sure.

So, we're a walking tour company.

We've been in business for 20 years.

This is our 20th anniversary and we offer >> Congrats.

<John> Thank you.

a variety of walking tours.

We do history, food, ghosts pub tours, a lot of specialty tours like architectural tours, Gullah history, a little but of everything.

>> We're about to take a ghost tour.

>> Right.

> Why do you think people love ghost stories so much?

<John> We get asked that from time to time ...I don't know the exact answer.

My guess would be, People are intrigued with the unknown, you know ...it's not in history books.

It's not something you can often read in black and white, most of these are stories that we know are based on fact that have been handed down through generations ...they're partly legends, partly stories and Charleston's considered one of the most haunted cities in America, and it's not where people's heads are exploding, or anything that would ever make it in, you know, a Hollywood horror movie, but it's simple stuff like you know, the light constantly switches on and off every night at a certain time, or you can hear your deceased aunt in the attic in her rocking chair, every night at midnight while she's reading a book.

It's simple things like that are intriguing and unknown and people just like to try to figure it out, so - <Devyn> Awesome.

Well, this is my first ghost tour, so I'm really excited.

Do you think that we can get going?

<John> I think we can.

Follow me.

>> Alright, let's go for it.

♪ dramatic music <John> We often have people that claim that they hear a ghost or they see a ghost or they experience a ghost.

And...I'm not one of these sensitive people that hears and sees and feels ghosts, but we have plenty of people on our tours that are ...and often times it's people that hear the sound of a young girl laughing.

People that see a young girl roaming through this area and she's dressed in kind of an old timey dress.

It's yellow, and it's embroidered with flowers on it, and she's just kind of running through this area kind of happily ...what's sad about it is the little girl often is reaching for the hands of a mother, somebody that's a mother figure in the groups that we take through here, but we obviously have no idea if there's a connection, but there is a tomb here of a young girl named Little Annie who died of diphtheria in (the) 1850s.

♪ dramatic music >> So, one question we often get asked is why is Charleston considered one of the most haunted cities in America, and there's several opinions on why, but most of the ghost experts out there believe that ghosts exist where there's a lot of tragedy and if there's any place in our country's history, that's tragic, Charleston is certainly at the top of the list.

You figure we've had two major wars fought on our soil here.

We've had five major hurricanes.

We've had fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, you name it, we've had it here in Charleston, but in these tragedies, there's untimely death and it's people that have things left to do here on Earth, ...and so the theory being that they exist here on earth until they can resolve the unfinished business or they...family members that they're close to that they want to stay...in relations or in communication with but my grandmothers believed that because Charleston's so wonderful and everybody wants to do it at least twice, so that's why we have so many ghosts.

♪ dramatic music <Devyn> Y'all, this was a whole new way to experience history.

I didn't necessarily see or feel a ghost tonight, but I definitely felt connected to the people that are here and to their stories.

So, the next time that you are thinking about discovering something new in South Carolina, or something spookier, just go for it.

♪ From the banks of the Lowcountry, we head up to North Augusta, where history truly does come alive.

People come to the Living History Park to experience history firsthand through demonstrations of colonial life reminiscent of the 18th century.

♪ Welcome to North Augusta, y'all.

When you're here, make sure to hop on the trail on the beautiful North Augusta greenway, take in a minor league baseball game to watch the Green Jackets and of course go to the snow capped drive in for a burger and a chocolate dipped cone or you can go where I'm headed today, which is the North Augusta Living History Park You ready?

Let's go for it.

♪ Hey y'all.

This is Lynn Thompson, here with the Living History Park.

Lynn, why don't you tell me a little bit about this place and what you guys do here.

>> Well, this is Living History Park and we portray 1735 to 1785, and it's a lot of fun.

...we're here to teach young people to love history.

>> That is so great.

You know, I love what you're wearing.

I feel like we're in the Living History Park today.

So, maybe I should blend in a little bit more.

>> You really don't look right.

>> Do you think you can help me out with that?

>> I've got it.

>> Alright.

>> If you're willing to play.

>> Be right back Alright.

So, what do you think?

Do I look the part?

>> You look great.

I got to get you to work, now.

>> Oh!

We do have to get to work.

That's awesome.

What do you guys do here at Living History Park.

>> All kinds of things.

We bake bread.

We have a Grist Mill.

We have a cabinet maker.

We have guns.

We've got a pottery going up here.

We've got a sweet shop, a gunsmith back here.

...we've got a lot of things for you to see and a lot to pick from to do.

>> So, are these people here all year round or - - No, we have three major events a year and they're here from - We had education days on Friday and then on Saturday and Sunday the park's open to the public and it's free.

>> Oh!

>> It's free, but they come in now from all over.

...but during the week you can come down any week and walk around the park, unless it's closed for a private event and then you can check our website, colonial times.us and find out when the park is closed, but the rest of time, you come around, walk around and other buildings will be open, but you can get a feel of what it's like, >> Yeah.

This park is beautiful.

>> It really is >> It really is.

Awesome, so, you think we can go try a few things from the interpreters?

>> Sure.

>> Awesome.

Alright.

>> You're dressed the part.

You might as well do it.

>> I mean, why not.

Let's go for it.

♪ folk music ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Well, ya'll, I came.

I dressed up.

I did calligraphy.

I made furniture and I had a whole lot of fun doing it.

Stepping back in time is always an adventure and there's so many ways to do it in South Carolina.

So, the next time you want to try something new or old, just go for it.

♪ folk music Exploring the history of South Carolina, through preserved architecture and interpretations, authentically tells the state's story, and the old English district Historic Brattonsville is a site that presents Scots Irish and African American life in the 1760s through the late 19th century.

♪ folk music ♪ Hey friends.

So, I bet that when you think about Revolutionary War history, South Carolina probably doesn't come to mind, but you might be surprised to learn that the Palmetto State was actually at the center of activity in the south, playing host to over 200 battles and skirmishes throughout the war.

Right!

And now, today you can visit lots of different historical sites that are aiming to preserve that history and allow people to experience it through education and demonstrations to get a sense of what life was really like in that time, and that is exactly why we're here today in Historic Brattonsville.

Even though we're only about 20 minutes from the dining, shopping and outdoor recreation of Rock Hill, South Carolina, we're actually about to take a step back in time about 240ish years.

Are you ready?

Let's go for it.

♪ ♪ Hey Farmer Eli.

How are you?

<Eli> I'm good.

How are you today?

>> Good.

So, of course, I'm the Historic Farm Program Manager, meaning I'm in charge all the agricultural and livestock aspects of the property.

Also, I am an interpreter, so, meaning I dress in period accurate clothes and do different demonstrations depending on what year we're highlighting.

>> So, you said you do a lot of reenactments.

I can tell by your awesome outfit here.

So, what exactly does that entail in terms of Brattonsville being connected with the Revolutionary War?

>> Well, there was a battle fought here.

It was the Battle of Huck's Defeat, or some people refer to it to the Battle of William's Plantation, and we actually sometimes recreate that.

We do that once a year and then any given day, we will be in costume as if we're in 1780s.

>> So, tell me what is the significance of the Battle of Huck's Defeat?

<Eli> So, Battle of Huck's Defeat was one of the major battles ever fought down here.

It was a very small skirmish, but it had a lasting impact.

This was actually the first time that the Patriot forces defeated British Redcoats, And so I think between 30 and 40 soldiers were killed on this ground and at that point the Patriot militia went on to Kings Mountain where they won and went on to Cowpens where they won and ultimately to Yorktown where the British surrendered.

So, what makes this place so good is we talk about that battle but, you're actually able to go on the battlefield and actually walk with the steps of the soldiers.

<Devyn> That's awesome, and so, I see this gun you've got here.

So, is this a gun that would have been used in the Battle of Huck's Defeat?

<Eli> It sure was.

So, we have two different models.

Of course, this is a Charlotteville.

This would be what the Continental Army would've used.

Now, there was no Continental Army forces when that happened here in South Carolina at that battle, but this definitely would be as far as the South Carolina Continental Army would have used this weapon here versus a Brown Bess that the British would have used.

Also as for the Patriot militia, They were not given guns because they were not sponsored by any government.

So they actually had to bring their guns from home to use on that battle.

<Devyn> B.Y.O.G.

<Eli> Yeah, B.Y.O.G.

Any chance you want to try your hand at shooting one?

>> Sure let's go for it.

♪ <Eli> You're going to pull it tight up against you.

The tighter you go, the better you are.

Now at this point, so move your hand up in here, just like so.

You're going to put - Yep.

Just like that.

Just don't be scared of it.

It's not going to kick hard.

>> Okay.

<Eli> So now I'm going to let it So now, the only thing you're going to have to do is pull the trigger.

So, like I said, what you do is, aim at that pond.

Close your eyes and pull the trigger.

>> Okay, I don't know if I've ever been so nervous.

(gun fires) (Yells and Laughs) That was awesome.

♪ folk music I see you have changed into a different period garb.

Tell me a little bit about that.

<Eli> I have.

Of course what you notice, my waist coat got a little shorter.

My hat got a little larger.

Now, this would be your typical working man's outfit in 1855, but also you can't come to a farm without seeing animals like we have right here.

This is Miss Lizzie.

<Devyn> Lizzie!

Can I pet her?

<Eli> You sure can.

So, Miss Lizzie is two and half months old, and what we want to do is of course let's show you the rest of the flock, where she comes from.

<Devyn> Okay.

♪ We're about to meet Bert and Ernie.

They're hybrid devon cows, which has been something I've been very excited about when I learned that there were devon cows here for obvious reasons.

♪ folk music ♪ <Eli> This is Miss Herriot.

>> Herriot with the good hair.

Oh my goodness.

<Eli> So, Miss Herriot's a Polish chicken.

She's originally from Spain, but when the Spaniards found them.

The Polish Army had feathers on top of their heads.

So, when they saw it.

They said she must be Polish.

<Devyn> But she's South Carolinian.

<Eli> Well, she was imported, for sure.

All our animals are brought in here.

All the animals you see here would've been animals you would typically see on a farm in around the 1855 mark.

♪ folk music ♪ >> Y'all, I have had so much fun today.

I shot a musket for the first time.

I got to play with sweet little heritage breed animals and I learned a lot about South Carolina's history.

I think it's so important to visit places like this.

They do such a great job of preserving our history and it really gives you an appreciation for the way life is today.

So please add Historic Brattonsville to your next South Caroline itinerary and the next time that you're thinking about trying something new.

Just go for it.

♪ Another way to explore history is through the items that are passed from generation to generation.

The nostalgia for the past can be found in the items that beckon to days gone by.

♪ <Devyn> We are in the heart of South Carolina today in the capital city of Columbia.

There's so much to experience here everything from classic southern food to live music and art, and today's adventure, shopping, and not just any shopping.

No, no, no.

Today, I'm going antiquing for the first time with the help of a local historian.

So, let's go for it.

♪ This is John.

John, tell us a little bit about yourself and your history in the local Columbia area.

>> Sure.

Well, my name is John Sherrer, and I'm a local Columbian I was born and raised here.

I worked for Historic Columbia, which is the contractual steward of this property, the Robert Mills House.

It's the reason we came to be in 1961, and I've had... quite a history here.

I've had the pleasure of working as the Director of Cultural Resources and learning so much about Columbia and Richland County, and a lot of different people who come and visit here and I actually learned a little bit about myself as well.

<Devyn> So you are a storyteller at heart?

<John> I guess so.

Yeah, absolutely.

<Devyn> So why do you think people when they're visiting a new city want to hear the history of that place?

<John> I think the people enjoy learning about different places, because they're just by nature, curious and if you're visiting a town, maybe you seek out the historic sites, maybe you look for that special meal, maybe you take in some type of local performance.

It gives you a feel of what the locals are like, but it also maybe tells you a little bit about yourself, as well.

<Devyn> Everybody wants to be like a local.

The locals know all the secrets, right?

<John> Probably so.

<Devyn> So, our mission today is antiquing.

Right, but you mentioned we're here on the grounds of the Robert Mills House.

So tell us a little bit about this property and its significance to Columbia.

<John> Sure.

Well, the Robert Mills House is associated of course with its designer Robert Mills, who was a native of South Carolina.

He was the first federal architect who has a huge footprint in the state of South Carolina, most notably in jails and courthouses that he designed, but nationally, you might know him for his work with the Washington Monument.

<Devyn> Oh!

That is very cool.

<John> So, this is one of five national historic landmarks in the capital city and it is one of six properties that Historic Columbia takes care of.

<Devyn> Pretty cool.

Awesome.

Well, thank you for having us today.

Thank you for helping me out today.

So our adventure that I'm so excited for is to go antiquing.

Do you think that people can experience history through something like antiquing?

<John> Absolutely.

I think antiquing is a great way to access the past and you know, I like... being able to have tangible links to our past so you get an opportunity to shop around a little bit.

It's kind of fun.

>> All right.

Well, let's go do some digging.

Are you ready?

<John> Yeah <Both> Let's go for it.

♪ <Devyn> So, we are at Old Mill Antique Mall right over the river in West Columbia.

John, have you spent a lot of time here?

<John> I have.

This is one of my favorite destinations, quite frankly.

I have found a number of really wonderful things over the years, including, I think probably the best piece was a circa 1815, 1820 English shell edge platter that was absolutely amazing and it was very similar to some of the pieces that we saw earlier at the Robert Mills House.

>> Yeah.

<John> - but so many different finds all over the past couple decades and yeah I do spend a lot of time here.

<Devyn> I mean, there is a lot to take in so, why don't we go for it.

<John> Yeah, sounds good.

♪ I know everywhere I turn there's always something that catches my eye.

♪ <John> There's also the thrill of the hunt, you know, finding something, you're hunting for something.

♪ Sometimes you just find things you can't live without.

<Devyn> Yeah.

>> What are you going to do with that?

I have no idea.

<Devyn> No idea, but I need it.

<John> but I can't live without it.

<Devyn> I will find a place for it.

♪ <John> Let's see what kind of treasures are upstairs.

♪ <Devyn> 1994 NCAA Final Four ♪ <John> I got my postcard.

Picked that up, >> - Awesome.

>> and also found another great, great local find.

<Devyn> Local find.

<John> So, Walter Edgar actually he was my thesis director when I was in grad school.

<Devyn> No way!

<John> Absolutely.

So and this is a good copy.

Nice quality of a book that was published in 1986 and it has all this really cool information about Columbia.

Remember I was talking about visual literacy earlier.

These are great photographs.

<Devyn> Yeah, this has been so much fun, but I feel like this is what you've been like the most excited about?

Do you have a thing for books?

<John> I do and I know where we can find more.

>>Oh, okay!

>> Just down the street.

>> Alright.

Let's go for it.

>> Let's go for it.

♪ folk music ♪ >> So...<Devyn> where are we?

Where have you brought me?

<John> I brought you to Ed's Editions.

<Devyn> Okay.

You're clearly very excited about this.

<John> Yeah, this is kind of like my second home.

I spend a lot of time here.

<Devyn> Yeah.

>>I'm not going to tell you how much time, but I always find something worth putting on my shelf: new book, old book, rare book.

They have it all.

<Devyn> So if somebody is coming to visit Columbia, they need to stop.

<John> Yeah, for sure.

This is a must see destination.

Ed and Eric, the proprietors here and they're always on the lookout for the folks who come in the door, whether it's the first time they've ever seen them or it's somebody who's often here.

...they just...this is a tailor made experience.

It really is.

<Devyn> Okay, well let's do some digging and see what we can find.

<John> Okay.

♪ >> I found one.

<Devyn> I found one too.

<John> Cool!

What did you get?

<Devyn> Charlie's Columbia Backyard.

<John> Nice.

<Devyn> So, very on brand, very local, but also the little boy's blond and it looks like my son, so.

<John> That's a must buy.

<Devyn> I think I might get it.

<John> Very cool!

I found a nice little treasure.

>> That's a nice way to finish up a wonderful morning.

<Devyn> Yes, thank you so much for bringing me around showing me some of your favorite spots and I had a lot of fun.

I feel like I heard some really cool stories from you, but also a little bit nostalgic going down memory lane, which is I mean, a great way to spend a day.

<John> Absolutely.

♪ >> Y'all, today I learned there all kinds of ways that you can experience history, whether it's going shopping, or taking a tour with Historic Columbia, places like Old Mill and Ed's Editions are doing such a great job of preserving stories and creating ways to tell new ones.

So whether you take a tour or go shopping, there's always something new to discover about South Carolina and yourself.

So, just go for it.

♪ Remembering, preserving and telling the stories of our past is certainly something that can bring all of us together.

As you can see, history is bursting at the seams here in South Carolina.

If you'd like to check out more, go for it.

Visit South Carolina etv.org You can read more about each of my adventures at discover South carolina.com and if you want to discover South Carolina through the past or present, well just go for it.

♪ closing music ♪