LAURENS — The legacy of cotton mills, the spirit of close-knit neighborhoods, and the story of generations of workers are now on display at the Laurens County Museum. A new traveling exhibit, From Cotton to Craft: The Story of South Carolina Textiles, opened Saturday, June 7, and will remain on exhibit through Saturday, July 26, at the Laurens County Museum, 116 South Public Square, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Presented by the South Carolina State Museum, this exhibit is part of a traveling series that highlights the legacy of the Palmetto State’s textile industry—particularly the vibrant mill culture that once defined life in Laurens County.
In addition to statewide artifacts, the Laurens County Museum has added a local touch, spotlighting historic mills that shaped the county’s economy and identity for decades. The exhibition features artifacts, photographs, and personal items from five of Laurens County’s once-thriving cotton mills: Clinton Mill, Joanna Mill, Laurens Mill, Lydia Mill, and Watts Mill.
“We are so excited to have a traveling exhibit from the South Carolina State Museum here in Laurens County,” said Connie Post, Executive Director of the Laurens County Museum. “This exhibit shares the history of textiles in our state, and we have added to it by focusing on the cotton mills in our county. The cotton mills played a prominent role in Laurens County’s economy, community, schools, and churches. We are proud to share this exhibit and tell this story of hard-working citizens of Laurens County and South Carolina.”
Beyond its historical artifacts, From Cotton to Craft is designed with families in mind. A hands-on section invites children to interact with textile traditions through activities like weaving patterns on a loom, coloring designs or “Lady Lydia,” reading children’s books, and exploring what life was like for “Mill Hill Kids” in the early 20th century.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or new to the area, this exhibit offers a unique opportunity to learn how the textile industry shaped the lives of generations and left a lasting imprint on Laurens County’s culture.
The Laurens County Museum is a nonprofit membership organization located on the Historic Square in downtown Laurens. For more information about the exhibit or to plan your visit, call (864) 681-3678, visit LaurensCountyMuseum.org, or follow the museum on Facebook.
The South Carolina State Museum, located in downtown Columbia, is the state’s largest and most comprehensive museum, featuring exhibits on South Carolina’s art, cultural history, natural history, and science and technology. To learn more about the museum or its traveling exhibitions, visit scmuseum.org.
