2025 Winter Lecture Series

Welcome to the 2025 Winter Lecture Series presented by the Friends of the Aiken County Historical Museum at the Aiken County Historical Museum! Join us for engaging talks and discussions on various historical topics. Our five-part series features knowledgeable speakers who will dive into fascinating aspects of our past. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with fellow history enthusiasts. The museum provides a cozy setting for these informative sessions. Come and join us for an enlightening and enjoyable experience! All proceeds benefit the Museum and its exhibits, educational programming, and artifact preservation.

This ticket price ($60) is for all five lectures across five continuous Sundays - January 26, February 2, February 9, February 16, and February 23. Each lecture will begin at 3 pm and conclude around 4:30 pm. If you would like to purchase a single lecture ticket for $15, those will be available day of at the museum (if the lecture is not sold out).

Here are the topics for each lecture:

Lecture # 1: Learning History through Aiken County’s Historical Museums (Jan. 26)

Speakers: Lauren Virgo – Aiken County Historical Museum, Lisa Hall – Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, Mary Ann Bigger – Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta, and Ambria Abney – Center for African American History, Art, and Culture

Discover the rich history of our area in the many wonderful museums within Aiken County. Glimpse history through historical artifacts and explore what some museums offer to Aiken County residents and visitors.

Lecture # 2: Seeing History from Aiken’s Winter Colony Descendants (Feb. 2)

Speakers: Lucy Knowles, Linda Knox McLean, Bettina Ruckelshaus, Dolores Wright, and Tony Wright

Learn about the lives of Aiken’s Winter Colony through the experiences of four Winter Colony descendants. As Aiken residents, these children and grandchildren of the Winter Colony will reflect on their lives and experiences in being part of the Aiken community.

Lecture # 3 - George Galphin: Indian Trader and Patriot (Feb. 9)

Speaker: Milledge Murray, descendant of George Galphin

George Galphin, it is said, did more than any other patriot during the Revolutionary War to save South Carolina and Georgia from British rule. This lecture tells Galphin’s story and the interesting history of the Galphin family in the development of Aiken County.

Lecture # 4: Keeping the Faith: Historic Worship Houses of Aiken (Feb. 16)

Speaker: Allen Riddick

Even though one house of worship started in Aiken in the early 1800s, many others started after Aiken was incorporated as a town in 1835. Learn about some of these early houses of worship by hearing the stories of how they impacted the Aiken community and by seeing pictures of their transformations over the years.

Lecture # 5: The Stories found in Historic Bethany and Sons of Israel Cemeteries (Feb. 23)

Speakers: Robert Shellhouse and Stephen Surasky

Historic Bethany and Sons of Israel Cemeteries tell the history of Aiken County through the lives of those who are buried there. Explore these properties, the interesting gravesites, headstones, mausoleums, and obelisks that document Aiken families’ lives. Weather permitting, this lecture will take place at the cemeteries.

Host or Publisher Friends of the Aiken County Historical Museum