The Gettys Middle School History Club traveled to Clemson University with 15 students representing 6th - 8th grade with faculty sponsors Mrs. Bishop and Mr. Crawford on March 27, 2024.
Students were greeted by Dr. Otis Pickett, the University Historian, and other staff from the History Department, at the Fort Hill National Historic Landmark.
Students toured the John C. Calhoun family home seeing the office/library, kitchen, and getting a tour of the house given by Mari Noorai with the Dept of Historic Properties.
We learned about the importance which the slaves played in maintaining the home and lifestyle of the family and learned many of their names as part of the "Call My Name" project. Students also saw the office of South Carolina Senator and U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun. We were able to see historic period maps U.S. as well as his law books.
Finally, students were given a guided tour of Woodland Cemetery by Marquise Drayton. We learned about the preservation and historical research taking place regarding the graves of slave, sharecropper, and convicted laborers who worked at the campus.
We learned so much about the history of our nation, state, region, and county! A fabulous field trip!
