Upcoming Events
Our upcoming events are listed on our home page. See the information below about our past events.
Past Events 2024
Yorkville Historical Society Meetings
- January 25, 2024, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 108 East Liberty Street, York, SC. This was our covered-dish banquet. Our President, Missy Gray, reviewed the YHS activities of 2023. There was a vote to affirm new YHS board member nominees and discussion about next year’s plans.
- March 28, 2024, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 108 East Liberty Street, York, SC. Culture & Heritage Museums historian Zach Lemhouse explored the historiography of James Williams and contrasting characterizations. According to some twentieth-century histories, James Williams was the militant leader of an African American militia stationed in York County during the Reconstruction era. According to others, he was a self-respecting, brave, and law-abiding man who used his position of authority as captain in the South Carolina National Guard to protect the civil rights of African Americans from rampant oppression and violence perpetrated by the Ku Klux Klan.
- May 30, 2024, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 108 East Liberty Street, York, SC. Josh Mangum made a presentation about Revolutionary War era artifacts that he found in his hobby as a metal detectorist. In addition to displaying the finds, Josh included historical background about people and events related to the artifacts.
- October 24, 2024, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 108 East Liberty Street, York, SC. Donnie Raborn, fellow YHS member, portrayed in uniform Capt. George Daniel Wallace of York, Seventh US Cavalry. Capt. Wallace was killed at Wounded Knee in 1890 and buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. Following the presentation was time for questions and viewing artifacts.
- November 21, 2024, at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 108 East Liberty Street, York, SC. Nancy Sambets, Director of Archives at the Cultural and Heritage Museums, gave a presentation on the Grist family and the Inquirer Building (on tour) and Sara Johnson gave an update on the McCelvey Center.
Other Events
- May 25, 2024, Brattonsville Field Trip guided by Culture & Heritage Museums historian Zach Lemhouse. This trip was an excellent event—Zach provided great information during the tour about the history in the Brattonsville area. He took us through three eras: Revolutionary, antebellum, and Reconstruction. The tour finished at the Brick House with the exhibit “Liberty and Resistance: Reconstruction and the African American Community at Brattonsville 1865–1877.” Following the tour, we had an enjoyable picnic lunch under the shade trees.
- June 27, 2024, Our Ice Cream Social was the same day as the June Summer Concert Series, so we had live music with the ice cream.
Past Events 2023
Yorkville Historical Society Meetings
- January 26, 2023 We had a wonderful turnout at our January General Membership meeting. Being a covered-dish event, it showcased a lot of really great cooks’ dishes and with the number of recipe requests that evening we’re thinking that maybe putting together another YHS cookbook is in our future. Our Vice President, Mr. Mickey Peake, presented the Board Nominees and Executive Board for 2023. After allowing for any dissenting votes the Board and Executive Board received unanimous support from the members.
- March 30, 2023 York, SC city manager Mr. Dalton Pierce made a presentation and answered questions related to York SC projects.
- May 25, 2023 Beth Bailey-Johnston, Chairperson for the Board of Architectural Review made a presentation about what the BAR does, how it functions, decisions it has responsibility for, and answered questions about properties located within the Historic District.
- June 29, 2023 Ice Cream Social at Moore Park Scoops served their delicious ice cream and Zach Lemhouse and crew provided wonderful fiddle music.
- September 28, 2023 We were delighted that Zach Lemhouse made a presentation on two major Revolutionary War battles in York County—the Battle of Huck’s Defeat and the Battle of Kings Mountain. Zach is the Historian and Director of the Southern Revolutionary War Institute located at the Historical Center of York County.
Other Events
- April 15, 2023 Moore Park Clean Up Initiative
The Yorkville Historical Society in collaboration with the City of York made great progress on the Moore Park Clean Up. Vines were clipped, plantings trimmed, mulch was spread, and other lawn maintenance work was done to improve this beautiful park. - August 25 and 26, 2023 Summerfest Quilt Show
The YHS was glad to once again sponsor the Summerfest quilt show in the sanctuary of the Church of the Good Shepherd. The exquisite quilts are presented by the York County Quilt Guild.
- November 4, 2023, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Stories of the Stones Historic Cemetery Tour at Rose Hill Cemetery, 229 East Liberty Street, York, SC. This year’s tour focused on people involved with York’s two circuses—Barnett Brothers and Bennett Brothers. There were guided tours through the cemetery where volunteers representing those interred gave brief histories about their fascinating lives. Tickets were $8, and free for students. See more information from our brochure.
- December 9 and 10, 2023 Holiday Tour The Yorkville Historical Society hosted its annual holiday tour in the beautiful Historic District of York, SC. This favorite tradition showcased private homes, a church and other historic locations decorated for the holidays. Follow this link for details about this wonderful event.
Previous Years Events:
Previous Holiday Tour of Homes and Sites:
Christmas in Olde York 2019 Holiday Tour of Homes and Sites
Christmas in Olde York 2018 Holiday Tour of Homes and Sites
Christmas in Olde York 2017 Holiday Tour of Homes and Sites
Christmas in Olde York 2016 Holiday Tour of Homes and Sites