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Rice Museum Exhibits Rich in Local History, National Significance

By developer Jul 01, 2009

By Christina Lee Knauss

Walk into the shady interior of the Rice Museum on Front Street in Georgetown - and step back in time.

The museum, located in the historic waterfront district, offers visitors a look at the rich and varied history of Georgetown County.

Founded in 1970, the Rice Museum's exhibits are located in two historic buildings - the Kaminski Building, which was previously a hardware store, and the Old Market Building, which includes the clock tower, one of the best-known landmarks along the waterfront. Both buildings date from 1842.










Visitors can take an hour-long guided tour of both buildings, and learn about the Georgetown County rice culture, which made it one of the richest locations in the early United States. Tour guide Phillip Dennis noted that, at one time, the county was home to 150 different rice plantations, which thrived along the county's many rivers, streams and creeks.

In the Old Market Building, detailed dioramas show the entire process of cultivating rice, as well as life on an average rice plantation. A visit to the museum also includes a showing of "Garden of Gold," a 17-minute film which describes the history and daily lives of Georgetown's rice planters.

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