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Digital Traditions

Home to a wealth of folk traditions, South Carolina is culturally and geographically diverse. 

General - Traditional Arts

Home to a wealth of folk traditions, South Carolina is culturally and geographically diverse.  From the Appalachian Mountains to the Sea Islands and from rural crossroads to urban centers, the state boasts rich sources of traditional culture and folklore. Rooted in family and community activities, folklife involves expressive forms of many kinds that are communicated verbally and by observation or imitation.  Folk artists can learn through apprenticeships, but most often are taught informally by family members or close friends. This sharing of information can occur in many different group settings - familial, occupational, religious, social, and educational. Folklife is dynamic by nature, a part of a community's history that continues to develop every day, with every generation.  

Digital Traditions was developed to provide access to the Folklife Resource Center (FRC) at McKissick Museum.  For thirty years, deeply rooted traditions like quilting, pottery, basketry, communal foodways, and folk music have been documented through audio, video, and photography. For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.

Resource Type
Nathaniel Washington's Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades

  • Higher Education
Nathaniel Washington's Photos | Digital Traditions
Basketmaker from Seneca, SC (Oconee County). Washington learned basketmaking from his father, who sold his baskets for around fifty cents each. Though he learned when he was eleven years old...
M. Jeanette Gaillard-Lee's Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades

  • Higher Education
M. Jeanette Gaillard-Lee's Photos | Digital Traditions
As a youngster, Jeannette Lee learned the art of sweetgrass basket making from her mother and grandmother. The activity was an essential part of her childhood, and often provided a significant portion...
Louise White's Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades

  • Higher Education
Louise White's Photos | Digital Traditions
Basketmaker from Awendaw, SC (Charleston County). White is one of several basketmakers who operates a stand to sell her baskets on Highway 17 north of Charleston. White judges a basket by how well its...
Leroy Browne's Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades

  • Higher Education
Leroy Browne's Photos | Digital Traditions
Resident of St. Helena Island, SC (Beaufort County). His father, George Brown, taught basketmaking at the Penn School on St. Helena Island in the early 20th Century. The school was founded in the...
Gale McKinley Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades

  • Higher Education
Gale McKinley Photos | Digital Traditions
Gale McKinley learned to make fish baskets by watching her father and grandfather. Her dad, Juby McKinley, is seventy-three years old, and he learned split-oak basket making from his dad, Amos...
Origins of Burgoo | Digital Traditions 4

Video

Grades

  • Higher Education
Origins of Burgoo | Digital Traditions
Episode 4
Project advisor Jay Williams reads from the book “Tale of the Elk”. Williams organized and developed the exhibit “Southern Stews” in 2001.
Greenwood County Hash Video Transcripts | Digital Traditions The Stump Meeting | Digital Traditions

Video

Grades

  • Higher Education
The Stump Meeting | Digital Traditions
William Jennings Bryan Dorn and his son Johnson Dorn talk of the hash served at “stump meetings” held on W.J.B. Dorn’s estate during his political years.
Henrietta Snype Audio Transcripts | Digital Traditions Basket Design | Digital Traditions 2

Video

Grades

  • Higher Education
Basket Design | Digital Traditions
Episode 2
Snype and Washington discuss the innovations in sweetgrass basket design and the progression through various basket types. Video is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.
Pappy Sherrill Photos Old Rugged Cross | Digital Traditions 3

Video

Grades

  • Higher Education
Old Rugged Cross | Digital Traditions
Episode 3
Vintage footage from "The Hired Hands Sunday Show," a 30-minute program aired on WIS-TV in Columbia, SC. Features Pappy Sherrill, Grady Lindler, and Ira Dimmery. 1961.