Museum Day, May 2, 2026, did not turn out as anticipated. There was a very large contingent of community volunteers who worked very hard to establish an opportunity for folks to share their experiences and personal history in a comfortable, entertaining setting. Mother Nature welcomed our efforts with very uncomfortable chilly and rainy weather. While we certainly needed the rain, another day would have been preferred.

The good news was that the folks who did brave the elements and made it to the Isaac C Thomas Historical Museum for the stories and history enjoyed themselves.

Tina Johnson, owner of Ridgeway’s Over The Top Boutique, and whose residence, known as the Maggie Cloud Smith House on the Historic Register, built in 1890, was a popular speaker. Her home is now known as Pecan Hill Estate and has been restored into a magical bed and breakfast with a fireplace in every room and dramatic reflections of its original southern farmhouse enhanced by the ambiance of its expressive decorating.

Kathleen Harwood shared stories about her Longtown Road residence known as Blink Bonnie. She identified Blink Bonnie as a federal style raised cottage. It was built in 1822 by a Camden banker and planter as a summer retreat. The Harwood family has been there for 40 years and followed the Kirkland family in the home. Kathleen also shared information about the historical St Stephens Episcopal Church which was also on the tour.

Susan Thompson Harrington shared colorful stories about Magnolia Plantation where she lived as a child. The plantation house was built in 1854 by Samuel Thomas and was enlarged and expanded over its lifetime to include the addition of the dramatic ionic columns on the front porch. Susan won second place in this event’s art contest with a beautifully expressive painting of a photograph that her mother took of cotton being picked on the plantation.

Dr James McCallum spoke about his residence known as Cedar Tree, built in 1853. It is commonly called the Van Exem house after the former residents. Ms Elizabeth Van Exem was the first woman elected to Congress from South Carolina. Typical of the time it has one closet and 6 fireplaces. James found the derby hat at the residence and has put it on loan at the museum. It displays the initials of Mr. Van Exem who was a member of Congress prior to his wife being elected after his death.

Our many thanks to all the Ridgeway residents who were willing to take their time to offer Historic Front Porch Tales but were outdone by the rain and cold.

The Self-guided Walking Tour Guide and Map of Historic Ridgeway is available free of charge at the museum or at the Smallest Police Station Welcome Center in downtown Ridgeway.

Please continue to follow us at our website at: htttps://sites.google.com/view/icthomashistoricalmuseum/ or on Facebook. The museum is open on Fridays from 1 – 4 pm and Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm. There is no admission charge, and we are always open to the public. Share us with your friends and come join us in Ridgeway, Where History Still Lives.