Culture, History & Hostas
By York County CVB
05/21/2008
Culture, History & Hostas is an authentic southern itinerary where groups can experience Native American culture, a beautiful botanical garden and orchid conservatory, visit the personal library of a world figure and enjoy family entertainment at its best. Culture, History & Hostas, which offers just a glimpse into unique and undiscovered southern experiences, can be found in York County, SC, which is just 20 minutes south of Charlotte, NC.
Contact Information:
t: view phone 800-866-5200
e: view email mwallace@visityorkcounty.com
w: view URL http://www.visityorkcounty.com
i: view contact details
- Catawba Indian Nation
- Billy Graham Library
- Historic Brattonsville, filming location for Mel Gibson’s epic The Patriot
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and Orchid Conservatory
- NarroWay Productions, family dinner theater
Tour Dates:
Number of Days: 3
Day One
With an afternoon arrival, begin the York County adventure at Historic Brattonsville, the filming site of Mel Gibson’s epic The Patriot. Brattonsville is a living history village and Revolutionary War battlefield site featuring historic structures and programs tracing South Carolina life from the 1750s through the 1850s. Take a guided walking tour with costumed interpreters and learn about the lifestyles and skills of early settlers and the workings of a Southern plantation. Save time to peruse the gift shop.
After a visit at Historic Brattonsville, a step-on guide will take you back in time with a driving tour of western York County. Our drive will include a stop at the Museum of Western York County, where we will enjoy an authentic Southern tea served by the Ladies of the Broad River Basin.
As the day closes, we will visit the Catawba Cultural Center. Located on the Catawba Indian Reservation, it preserves, protects, promotes and maintains the rich cultural heritage of the Catawba people. Our evening will include a Native American meal, storytelling, Catawba language presentation, pottery demonstration by Catawba potters, and drumming and dancing by tribal members. [D]
Day Two
Begin the day with a safari breakfast and guided tour of the Museum of York County. The museum houses a collection of more than 200 artfully mounted African animals (one of the largest in the world), displays of African tribal dress and artifacts, and changing art and natural history galleries.
The next stop is a short drive into North Carolina for a visit to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. An interpretive guide will reveal flowers and shrubs, laid out along creative pools, fountains and brick pathways, continuously evolving on acres along the Catawba River. Also located in the garden is the Carolinas’ only glasshouse―8,000 square feet under five stories―dedicated to the display of orchids and tropical plants. While inside the stained glass-domed pavilion at the garden, we will enjoy lunch and a master gardener presentation.
The Billy Graham Library is the next “must see.” A flowing exhibit invites us to follow One Man’s Journey from the pastures and gravel roads of North Carolina; to “big tents” and arenas in America’s largest cities; to stadiums, televisions, and radios across the globe. Displays of historic backdrops will alternate with multimedia screening theaters showing events and milestones of Dr. Graham’s lifelong mission.
Dinner and entertainment for the evening will be at NarroWay Productions. The Gospel According to Tennessee is the newest NarroWay show; set in 1926, this fast paced musical dinner show will take us to East Tennessee, where the fun never ends. “Supper’s on the cook stove, so pull up a chair and sit a spell while singing old Southern classics.” [B,L,D]
Day Three
Start with a visit to Anne Springs Close Greenway for a guided nature tour seated on a hay wagon. We will roll through this gorgeous landscape, which showcases wildflowers, birds, lakes, creeks and orchards.
The next stop is a visit to Glencairn Garden, where an array of colors, textures and shapes decorate this strolling garden. While at the garden, we will enjoy a picnic lunch and entertainment. (B,L)
