Events

We’re celebrating textiles throughout March at the Horry County Museum! Join us March 17th at 11 AM as Sharon Huffstetler shares the history of the American sewing machine. In this lecture, and hands on experience, Sharon will discuss the earliest ideas of the sewing machine in America and the men that brought it to life. She’ll also discuss what happened behind the scenes, including the drama that got us to the sewing machines we know and love today. After the presentation everyone is invited up to see machines from 1848 to the 1960’s. Participants will even be able to sew a few stitches on a hand crank sewing machine from 1881!
Sharon Huffstetler grew up in an antique shop her parents owned in Camden, SC in the 1990’s to early 2000’s. That upbringing instilled a love for all antiques and especially history. When she got into quilting at the age of 27 it was only a matter of time before she connected her passion for antiques to her newfound hobby. By age 31 she had opened her business and did demonstrations up and down the east coast on her antique hand crank sewing machines. At 32 she took apart her first Featherweight and the rest is history as they say. Now at 34 she owns an Antique and Vintage Quilt Shop just doors down from the building her parents had their antique shop in all those years ago. Sharon has designed and produced 3 rulers for the Featherweight and 2 tools to help those with hand mobility issues to continue to enjoy these fun and precious pieces of history.
The program will begin at 11 AM at the Horry County Museum, located at 805 Main Street, Conway SC. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 843-915-5320 or email hcgmuseum@horrycounty.org. To view a full list of programs, visit our website at www.horrycountymuseum.org.

The L.W. Paul Living History Farm will host a free hands-on workshop on indigo dyeing on March 9th and March 16th at 10 AM. Participants will learn about the history of indigo in South Carolina and have the opportunity to design and dye their own handkerchief. Space is limited to 15 people, […]

Join us for free 30 minute Saturday activities at the Farm! Parents can sign children up for one of four half hour sessions starting at 9 AM. Group sizes will be limited per session to help ensure social distancing. On March 18th, children will learn about indigo and design and dye their […]

The Horry County Museum, in partnership with Coastal Carolina University, will host a free performance by The United States Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass on Saturday, March 18th at 3:00 PM in the McCown Auditorium.
The Ceremonial Brass is the official ceremonial ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Featuring 41 active-duty musicians, the Ceremonial Brass provides musical support for funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, arrivals for foreign heads of state at the White House and Pentagon, patriotic programs, and change of command, retirement, and awards ceremonies.
The Ceremonial Brass can be traced back to 1964 when The United States Air Force Headquarters Command Band was incorporated into The U.S. Air Force Band as a ceremonial unit. It became an all brass and percussion ensemble in 1985 and was renamed the Ceremonial Brass. Today, this elite group is responsible for more than 1,000 ceremonial performances each year. Members often perform in smaller chamber music formations at formal military and civilian functions, education outreach events, and local concert venues.
As part of The U.S. Air Force Band, the Ceremonial Brass’ mission is to HONOR those who have served, INSPIRE American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and CONNECT with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States. The excellence demonstrated by the Ceremonial Brass reflects the excellence displayed by all Airmen stationed worldwide, whose selfless service and sacrifices ensure the freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States of America.
This program is free and open to the public. The recital will be held at the Museum’s McCown Auditorium, located at 805 Main Street, Conway, SC 29526. To view a full list of programs at the Museum, visit our website at www.horrycountymuseum.org.

We’re celebrating textiles throughout March at the Horry County Museum! Join us March 21st at 1:00 PM as local quilter and textile artist Jill Messier discusses felting and shares some of her creations.
Jill Messier moved to Conway from Enfield, Connecticut four years ago and arrived two days before Hurricane Florence. Jill first started felting in March 2022 when a stuffed bear that she was working on required felting for the nose. She soon fell in love with the endless possibilities for different animals and characters that could be felted and is open to changing each creation as it is being made, depending on where the journey takes her. Messier has made dogs, pigs, bears, owls, cats, and much, much more. She has also began doing pictures that are felted on cloth and has started felting on a canvas picture.
The program will be held at the Horry County Museum, located at 805 Main Street, Conway, SC. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 843-915-5320 or email hcgmuseum@horrycounty.org. To view a full list of programs, visit our website at www.horrycountymuseum.org.

The 2023 Horry County Museum Documentary Film Series continues with Hearts & Hands: The Influence of Women & Quilts on American Society. This film presents a vital part of American history, the role played by women and their textiles in the nineteenth century’s great movements and events including the Civil War, the abolition of slavery, westward expansion, the suffrage and temperance movements. The film explores the astonishing lives and accomplishments of ordinary, often anonymous women as well as chronicling the lives of extraordinary individuals such as Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Keckley, Frances Willard and Abigail Scott Duniway.
The film is free to the public and will be shown at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, March 22nd, at the Horry County Museum, located at 805 Main Street in Conway.
The Horry County Museum Documentary Film Matinees will continue throughout 2023. For a list of films, visit our website at www.horrycountymuseum.org. For more information, call the Horry County Museum at 843-915-5320 or e-mail hcgmuseum@horrycountysc.gov.