Adventure
If you live in the Upstate of South Carolina, you owe it to yourself and your family to take a drive to Pickens to tour Hagood and Meece Mills. Hagood Mill has a different event on the third weekend of each month. Yoders at Meece Mill is also open on the third Saturday of each month. These two important landmarks are only a few miles apart and could both be visited in one day. On the third Friday and Saturday in April, Hagood Mill hosted its Old Time Weekend Jam Festival, and I decided to take the short drive over to see what the fuss was all about. The festival was a wonderful event where the history and culture of the Upstate and Pickens County came alive through music, arts, and history. It only costs $5 to get in the gate, and once inside, we were free to explore all the historic pioneer buildings, and sit in our chairs and listen to some of the best music in the Southern Appalachians. Lucky for me, this week’s event featured several music groups, including Blue Ridge Rounders, Bailey George, and The Wilder Flower, and many others! Although this week is over there are many events coming up, so mark your calendars. The events for the next three months are as follows:
- May 17 is the Mountain Roots Herb Festival
- June 21, is the Americana Folk Festival
- July 19, is the Banjo Extravaganza.
- Check the website for all the details! https://visithagoodmill.com/.
Yoder’s at Meece Mill is a privately owned, family-run mill. I believe this mill is one of the most scenic places in the Upstate. Yoder’s opens on the third Saturday, and sells its delicious pastries, cakes, and pies. My favorite is the apple fritters, fresh from the fryer! I love to visit and get my fritters and a hot cup of coffee and sit on the porch overlooking the waterfall. Yoder’s at Meece Mill makes a great stop before heading over to Hagood Mill to spend the rest of the day. For more information on Yoder’s, visit their facebook page.
History
Hagood Mill, built in 1845, was a community hub for grinding grains like corn and wheat into flour for baking and cooking. This fully restored mill features a large water wheel powered by a creek and still stands in its original location. On the property surrounding the mill, the Hagood Mill Foundation and its members have done a wonderful job of sourcing historic cabins from other parts of Pickens County. These cabins date from the 1700s and 1800s. They have been carefully dismantled and brought to the grounds, then expertly reconstructed, allowing visitors to explore pioneer life. It truly is a living history museum unlike any other you will see in the Upstate, featuring cabins, a blacksmith shop, an old barn, and a general store where local arts, crafts, and books can be purchased!
Across the road in front of the general store, there is plenty of parking and a large field for picnicking along the creek. Some visitors enjoy camping for the day or weekend during the warmer months. I almost forgot to mention, there is a hiking trail and disc golf course at Hagood Mill, ensuring you will have lots to do while visiting.
Events
The Heritage Pavilion, built a few years ago, is currently undergoing a renovation and enclosure. By the end of the summer, it will be fully enclosed, serving as an event space for local events, weddings, corporate gatherings, and community meetings. Hagood Mill is also an excellent destination for student field trips.
Native American History
One building that I have yet to mention, but a very important one, is the Petroglyph Museum. This building is built over a rock outcropping along the creek that contains historic petroglyphs from the Native Americans who once lived in this area. Inside the building are Native American artifact exhibits and a laser light show, highlighting the petroglyphs. It is hard to imagine what the Native American culture may have been like, or that it even existed. Seeing these carvings and artifacts proves that Pickens had many Native Americans here before the first Europeans came. The village of Hagood Mill will make you think about the human connection to history.
More information and video links
Be sure to visit the website and watch the many videos explaining the history and connection of each building. Hagood Mill offers classes on foraging, mushrooms, blacksmithing, and more. Look carefully through the website for details. This video does a great job of explaining the history and significance of each building. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kuQmNQpjps.
A visit to the Hagood Mill is a wonderful way to experience history and nature, and get away from the modern world for a bit. While there, I found it restful to sit on the porch of the General Store and look out over the meadow and listen to the bluegrass music coming through the trees.~