Rural Life in the Lowcountry of South Carolina

Book excerpt: South Carolina's Lowcountry is awash in history, mystery, and breathtaking beauty and is comprised of roughly 27 counties south and east of the Fall Line, a low, east-facing cliff paralleling the Atlantic coast. Over the past 300 years, farmers and their families, planters, and African Americans-both enslaved and freed-have shaped this area's culture. Through war, peace, poverty, and prosperity, the unique characteristics and customs of the Lowcountry have been woven together and form a rich, enigmatic tapestry distinct from any other.Rural Life in the Lowcountry of South Carolina contains over 200 previously unpublished images depicting life at the grassroots level during the first half of the 20th century. This volume presents a realistic and at times sobering view of everyday people and their struggles to make a living. Exploring such topics as growing crops, making syrup, and raising livestock, this volume also portrays the area's distinct architecture, evident in barns, farmhouses, and church buildings. As the state becomes more industrialized, residents are beginning to forget their agricultural heritage, and many know only the stories of elderly family members. These photographs, coupled with informative text, will bridge the present generations with the past.