24 Hours in The Olde English District, South Carolina
Built upon its foundation as a significant player in the Revolutionary War, the Olde English District of South Carolina is waking up in the 21st century with a renewed passion for its community and what it offers.
And in doing so, it welcomes everyone to explore its history while seeking out a multitude of new experiences in this seven country region.
If you’ve only got 24 hours to explore the area, here are some of our favorites to add to your itinerary.
Wake Up at Old McCaskill’s Farm
Overnight at Old McCaskill’s Farm transfers you to the country in the most quiet, secluded, and inspiring way.
A working farm, Old McCaskill’s Farm makes visitors feel right at home from the moment you step inside the country home. It’s the home of Kathy and Lee McCaskill, and they invite you to stay at the bed and breakfast for rest and relaxation. Four charming sleeping rooms, plus a common sitting area, will provide comfort for families and couples. Downstairs in the kitchen, breakfast is waiting each morning created with fresh ingredients from the farm. And the scones!
As much as the B & B is perfection, it’s the onsite store that will suck you in completely. From farm canned goods to hand-made woolen blankets from the farm’s sheep to local meats and cheeses, shop and enjoy the taste of the Olde English District. They also feature Clemson Blue Cheese, a South Carolina favorite.
Yearly events include the Spring Sheep Shearing Day each March, a fall farm day in October, and a Christmas shop. Visit the website for more news on events.
377 Cantey Lane, Rembert, Sc
Open | Store Hours, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Ashley’s Farm to Table Lunch | Friday, 11:30 a.m.
Find the farm goods at the Kershaw County Farmer’s Market (downtown Camden) on Saturday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Downstairs at Old McCaskill’s Farm
Tea Time at Cornwallis House Tea Co.
South Carolina’s Home For Fine Tea
There can never be enough tea.
In the small town of Winnsboro, a short ride from Camden, is the Cornwallis House Tea Co. Filled with tables for two-or-four, its an intimate setting for a slow lunch. It wasn’t until we began a conversation with owners Jenny and Don (and daughter Christina) that we discovered the tea room was all about the name.
In the Cornwallis House—the home of Jenny and Don, and the base for their tea-blending—was where Lord Cornwallis headquartered his Patriot forces during his “Winter of Discontent” push against the British during the Revolutionary War. Drawn to its history, Jenny and Don moved from Atlanta, purchased the home as well as opened a business that would capture the essence of the area’s history. Opening their business in the stretch of downtown, it focuses on promoting history and sharing their teas with all who will visit.
Their specialty teas are hand-blended from South Carolina flowers, spices, and fruits. Choose from their selection of green, red, white and black teas—a taste of South Carolina heritage and each is named for a significant moment in the state’s past. Find a favorite and take home a tin.
We each ordered a small pot (Scarborough Grey) steeped perfectly, and a superb complement to our chicken salad croissant.
141 S. Congress St., Winnsboro, SC
Open | Wednesday - Sunday, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Jenny and Don Praser of Cornwallis House Tea Co.
Hop on at the South Carolina Railroad Museum
If you love railroads—and who doesn’t?—make sure you spend time at the South Carolina Railroad Museum.
Fair warning - the time you allotted to visit the museum will NOT be enough. From the gift shop to the tours to walking through the cars, the history and workings of the railroad will be mesmerizing.
The museum accumulated pieces of rolling stock from various organizations, including freight and passenger cars - even an original pony car from the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Their purpose is to collect and preserve these relics as well as educate the public on the railroad’s vital contribution to America.
Special events happen throughout the year (nod to the BBQ Dinner Train in April) which you’ll find on the website. Participation in these events fund the on-going effort in preserving cars as well as maintenance of equipment.
The entire organization (other than part-time administrator) is run by volunteers, and maybe that’s the reason I purchased 25 railroad spikes, partly because they were cool and partly because I wanted to make a donation. Purchases in the gift shop as well as tickets for events allow the museum to thrive.
Writer’s Tip | Take the walking tour with Chris and be amazed at the amount of knowledge he possesses. In his own words, “My favorite part of volunteering here at the South Carolina Railroad Museum is just being a vessel to not only interpret history but kind of make history, too. That’s pretty much what railroad preservation is all about. If you took away railroads, a vital chapter in the American story would be lost.” ~ Chris
110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro, SC
Open | Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission | Free
Donations are encouraged.
On a tour in the mail car with Chris at the South Carolina Railroad Museum
Walk Through History at Brattonsville
This 775-acre living history museum transports visitors back in time to 1766 when the Scots-Irish Bratton family settled the land.
Historic Brattonsville presents history through generations of the Bratton family through the preservation of buildings and stories from the 18th and 19th centuries. The plantation became know as Brattonsville when they established a post office in 1819 which operated until 1852. The adjacent store served the community until 1915 when the last of the Bratton family moved to York, SC. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
There are lots of stories to hear, but the Battle of Huck’s Defeat is one of the most significant. In 1780, the Revolutionary War flooded York County. When British Captain Christian Huck was sent to arrest Patriot leaders, he headed toward Colonel Bratton’s plantation. Bratton’s wife sent Watt, an enslaved person, to warn the Colonel. The light of morning came, and with Watt’s warning, the Patriots attacked the British camp. Over in 15 minutes, the battle saw the defeat of Huck and British, a win that led to more Patriot victories at King’s Mountain, Cowpens, and Yorktown.
On site, explore the smoke house, a double corn crib, a field slave house as well as other original slave buildings, and the original Bratton family house built in 1766. Living history events are scheduled throughout the year. Visit the website for a complete list.
144 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, SC
Open | Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (self-guided tours)
Admission | Adults, $8; Seniors, $7; 4-17, $4
Tickets | Walk-Up and Online
Historic Brattonsville
Choose the Perfect Pour at Broad & Vine
It’s an interactive, self-serve wine experience at Broad & Vine.
Wine down the day in downtown Camden at Broad & Vine.
For Laurie and Wes Parks, owners, the love of community fueled their passion of historical restoration. Laurie fell in love with the old bank building in Camden and worked with architects to transform it back to its former glory. It opened in 2021 as a places for sommeliers, friends and strangers. The white tile., the spiral staircase, the vault—all speak to an earlier time when pride was the cornerstone of place. The Parks have revitalized an era.
It’s an interactive, self-serve approach to sharing a glass, choosing your own pour from a wall of possibilities. From sweet to white to dry and red, find the one that begs for a second glass. Three pours are available— one ounce, 3 ounce, 6 ounce—that allow you to discover what fits your palette.
Enjoy a light menu of Margherita pizza, a charcuterie board with cheeses and meats, or dive head-first into the desserts like cheesecake or key lime pie. There’s also craft beer available.
1025 Broad Street, Camden SC
Open | Tuesday – Thursday 5pm – 10pm., Friday & Saturday 5pm – 11pm
Reservations available online for groups of four or more.
