Foothills Farmstead embraces living history
The Foothills Farmstead is a non-profit organization working to preserve history and educate about the agricultural way of life that was prevalent in the Foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains circa 1925. The Foothills Farmstead includes 16 acres of land in southern Oconee County. The area was historically known as “Oakway” but these days is considered Westminster, SC.
The Farmhouse
The Folk Victorian Farmhouse was built in the late 1880s down the road from the present day farmstead site. It was disassembled and is currently being rebuilt as the main farmhouse of the Foothills Farmstead. The house contains six rooms and features a large wrap around porch that was added circa 1915.
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The ultimate goal of The Foothills Farmstead is to relocate several historic buildings to the site. These buildings will set the stage for the living-history farm.
Bringing back the past
The Foothills Farmstead hosts an annual Living-History Day in November. This was a chance for participants to experience what life was like “back in the day”.
Scenes from previous Living History Days:
Period Fashion
Living History Day is a chance to view examples of ladies fashion and marvel at what women wore way back when. Styles have drastically changed over 160+ years. It’s hard to image how women managed their daily routines encumbered with so many yards of fabric and constraining undergarments!Â
Historical Seamstress
Liz Boles-Johnson is the Park Superintendent of High Falls County Park. The park offices are located in one of the oldest homes still in existence in Oconee County, the Alexander- Cannon-Hill House. This is a nice fit for Liz because her hobby is historical sewing.Â
In-between leading operations at High Falls County Park and chasing after her young son, Liz finds time to sew clothing from bygone eras. She uses a foot pedal sewing machine to recreate authentic styles with remarkable detail. Liz has made clothing from the Renaissance era to modern day. Her favorite period to recreate is the Victorian era.
At the 2023 Living History Day, Liz brought her foot pedal sewing machine and displayed dress styles from the early 1900s.Â
In 2024 Liz wore a “working dress” reminiscent of the 1860s–which she finished sewing the morning of the event. She had spinning wheels on display and dress styles from the 1880s-1930s.
Quilt History
The Foothills Farmstead Heritage Quilt show featured a variety of quilts from Oconee County made from the late 1800’s to the mid 1950’s.Â
Also exhibited were original fabric quilts that have been replicated into painted panels by the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail.Â
A civil war quilt was on display along with various types of hand work often present in homes of this period.
Timber Frame EducationÂ
In February 2024, a hands-on timber frame course took place in Oconee County that offered a taste of what traditional timber framing entails. The week-long course was a partnership between The Heartwood School, MoreSun Timber Frames and The Foothills Farmstead.
The course focused on the traditional square rule method that was developed in the early 1800s. The week culminated with a hand raising of the newly cut timber frame on site at The Foothills Farmstead. The frame was built to house restroom facilities on the property.
Help keep history alive
For more information about the Foothills Farmstead, check their website and follow their social media pages to find out about upcoming events.
If you are interested in helping support their living history efforts, consider donating to the Foothills Farmstead through Venmo @thefoothillsfarmstead.
Salvage Market
As an ongoing fundraiser for the Foothills Farmstead, the Oakway Salvage and Upcycle Market is open Saturday mornings and by appointment.
Items are donated with the intention of selling them so proceeds can raise money for the farmstead.Â
Check the Facebook page Oakway Salvage and Upcycle Market for details.
