Developed by the South Carolina State Museum and South Carolina Humanities, this new traveling exhibition will be on display at The Dorchester Heritage Center from January 7 until March 27. Join us to learn about the history of the unique foods from communities in South Carolina.
From okra, pecans grits and apples to oysters, chitlins, boiled peanuts and more, the exhibit explores the origins of these South Carolina traditions from the cultures that brought them here to how they’ve changed into the current dishes we celebrate today.
Through 22 vibrant panels, guests will travel from the Pee Dee, to the Upstate, the Low Country and the Midlands to see how each of these traditional southern foods are celebrated with festivals, eating contests, world records and more. Each panel dives deep into the history of each iconic dish or item, describing how its cooked, how it became a southern tradition or where it got its name from.
The exhibition provides a comprehensive look at South Carolina’s rich culinary heritage, proving food is more than just eating—it’s history, art, and community. It debuted at the South Carolina State Fair in the Fall of 2019 and is now traveling the state, allowing everyone a serving of the history of South Carolina community cuisine.