Lauren Virgo and Leah Walker

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February Cabinet of Curiosities

As part of the celebration of African American history during the month of February, we would like to introduce you to the founders of Aiken County. Prior to 1871, the county of Aiken did not exist. It was not until March 10, 1871 that the county we know as Aiken was formed from large sections of Edgefield and Barnwell counties and from smaller sections of Lexington and Orangeburg counties. The following County Commissioners are considered founders of Aiken County: Senator C.D. Hayne, Representative Gloster Holland, Representative William B. Jones, Representative Samuel J. Lee, William Peel, Representative Prince Rivers, S.B. Spencer, and E.P. Stoney. Of these African American men, we know

January Cabinet of Curiosities

January is the time when we attempt new fitness routines, new diets, new anything that could help us better our minds and bodies. Of course, this obsession with health and wellness is not a new fad. In fact, over 160 years ago, Aiken was known as a health resort and many sickly folks from across the nation came to stay in Aiken with the hope of regaining their vigor. As early as the 1840s, Aiken hosted visitors from the southeastern coast as they sought refuge from coastal diseases in the summer months. And Aiken welcomed visitors from the northeast and the midwest who came to seek a warmer climate during

December Cabinet of Curiosities

With guest writer: Hampton Wayt December is a time for celebrations — with family, with friends, with neighbors. It’s a great time to create wonderful memories and traditions. As we explore our collections here at the Aiken County Historical Museum, we often come across photographs and scrapbooks full of celebrations. One such scrapbook holds a cherished memory of a family gathered in a living room with a model train and its track circling under the branches of the Christmas tree. How many of you remember a similar experience of waking up to a train racing around presents? The first toy trains in America were invented in the 1860s. They were

Cabinet of Curiosities | Aiken Bella Magazine

November Cabinet of Curiosities

The month of November is full of so many traditions. Between Dia de los Muertos and Thanksgiving festivities, the month is packed with celebrated occasions. Some of the more unique celebrations in Aiken County are the Chitlin Strut Festival in Salley and the Blessing of the Hounds in Aiken. The Chitlin Strut began in 1966 when the newly elected mayor of Salley, Jack Able, needed to raise funds for new Christmas decorations for the town. Able, along with Salley council members Maxie Adams and P.G. Sharpe, went to visit a radio disk jockey named “Friendly” Ben Dekle in Cayce, South Carolina, to see whether he could suggest a fundraising idea

October Cabinet of Curiosities

The Aiken County Historical Museum will curate monthly this article and will feature guest spots from other regional historical entities. As you may or may not know, “Cabinet of Curiosities” is a term used to describe early versions of museums, and we are full of curiosities in our area. It is our goal to bring you fascinating stories, local legends, and hidden secrets from the county’s past. The curators of this article will be Lauren Virgo and Leah Walker, the executive director and site & events manager of the museum, respectively. So, grab a cup of coffee and settle in to read more about your hometown history. To start us