The Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society is hosting the Lincolnville Hometown Festival to celebrate the history, culture, and legacy of one of South Carolina’s oldest African American communities.
The two-day event in Lincolnville will feature historical preservation activities, genealogy workshops, cultural performances, family history archiving, food vendors, and community celebrations.
Cemetery Cleanup and Ancestral Celebration Planned
The festival begins Friday, May 29, with an ancestral celebration and cemetery cleanup at Bible Sojourn Cemetery and Mt. Zion Church Cemetery.
Community members and families are invited to participate in cleaning and preserving family headstones between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Organizers said cleaning supplies and agents will be provided for volunteers.
IAAM Helping Preserve Family Histories
The International African American Museum is partnering with the festival to help preserve Lincolnville’s community history.
Museum staff will collect and digitally archive family records, photographs, oral histories, and historical documents connected to residents who lived in Lincolnville between 1832 and 1970.
Families may bring up to 10 historical items for scanning and preservation while also participating in 15-minute oral history interviews.
The preservation effort will take place at Ebenezer AME Church on East Pinckney Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Genealogy Workshop to Explore Family Roots
A genealogy workshop led by Darius Brown will also be held Friday afternoon.
The session is designed to help attendees research and better understand their family histories and ancestral connections.
Organizers say preserving oral histories and historical records is a major goal of this year’s celebration.
Saturday Festival Features Music, Culture, and Vendors
The celebration continues Saturday at the Bishop Richard H. Cain Community Garden.
The festival will include live entertainment, cultural performances, storytelling, arts and crafts vendors, health and wellness exhibits, and Gullah cultural presentations.
Featured performers and guests include Twan Richardson, Legacy Band, Wona Womalan African Dancers, Nancy D. Tolson, and DJ Corey B.
The Gullah Museum of Georgetown will also participate in the event.
Family Portraits and Community Activities Offered
Professional family portraits will be available Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the community garden.
Organizers encourage guests to register online before attending any festival events.
The festival aims to celebrate Lincolnville’s heritage while preserving the stories and traditions of generations of local families.
