SC National Heritage Corridor

Pickens County Museum of Art & History

Housed in a 1902 Victorian "gaol" (jail), this museum offers an extensive overview of the region's history—from displays on the earliest paleohunters to the Cherokee to the residents of more modern times—as well as rotating exhibits featuring the work of local artists. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was recently enhanced by an expansion that includes a complete working studio for teaching art classes. Outside, the Joe and Maggie Rampey Native Gardens capture the essence of local history, geology, and plant communities. The gardens include interpretive trails highlighting flora native to the area.

Military Heritage: Exploration & Colonization

For generations the Pickens area was home to the lower towns of the Cherokee Nation. Exhibits with information and artifacts cover topics on the indigenous people, contact, trade, conflict and treaties.

Because of the swamps, poor roads and the threats of Indian insurrection, the settlement of the backcountry from the coast was slow. The majority of the backcountry settlers came from the northern colonies via the Great Wagon through passes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A 1796 map documents these earlier exploration into Carolina.

Also exhibited is a model and information about Ft. Prince George, (1753) a remote military outpost, built in the valley of the Keowee River, and established to discourage Spanish and French intrusions on English traders in the Carolina Upcountry.

Another exhibit replicates a section of the interior of the type of log cabins white settlers built in this area. It includes a photo of the William Nix cabin built by a backcountry Indian trader around 1765, the cabin is still in use.

Revolutionary War 

The museum’s feature Revolutionary War exhibit focuses on Pickens County’s namesake Brigadier General AndrewPickens (1739-1817). A hero of the Revolutionary War Battle of Cowpens, the exhibit depicts Pickens as a man who served his community, state and nation in time of war and piece.

Exhibited is a handsome dueling pistol set owned by General Pickens, reportedly captured from Loyalist Captain John Hamilton (ca. 1779). Also, displayed is a beautiful gold-edged liquor decanter set with matching classes in a wooden case belonging to General Pickens which would have accompanied him on his travels.

General Pickens negotiated the Hopewell Treaty (1785) with the Cherokee Nation which bears the name of the Pickens’ home “Hopewell” located near the present town of Clemson. The exhibit notes that the treaty technically did not cede land but defined the western boundary that opened the way for accelerated white settlement of the area.

Civil War

The museum’s Civil War exhibit offers artifacts that include an original Confederate officer’s frock coat (ca. 1863) with all original buttons; reported to have been worn by William King Easley the namesake of Easley, South Carolina. A Gwyn & Campbell Carbine made in Hamilton, Ohio (ca 1863) is also on display. Also highlighted is a US Naval Officers Sword, owned by Francis Wilkinson Pickens (1805-1869), grandson of General Andrew Pickens and Governor of South Carolina who signed the Ordinance of Secession and ordered the attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston harborbeginning the American Civil War.

Modern Period

The museum offers exhibits honoring four Congressional Medal of Honor winners from Pickens County spanning three wars. The exhibits include artifacts showcasing the bravery of these heroes.

A special exhibit, recently completed, tells the story of Army Captain Kimberly N. Hampton, the first woman from South Carolina killed in Iraq and the first female pilot killed in action. Capt. Hampton died January 2, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq when her helicopter was shot down. Exhibited are her flight suit, her U.S. Cavalry hat & spurs, and a small patch that was in her pocket the day she perished
that reads “911-Never Forget.”