Cotton was declared "King of the South" during the Antebellum era! This very prosperous economic cash crop fueled the world's economy. The invention of the cotton gin demanded more slave labor and land to grow it. This increased insurmountable wealth for the enslavers and created a global economy that profited from the brutal exploitation of millions of slaves. Founded in 1789, Newberry SC history is robust. By 1860, Negroes outnumbered whites by two to one. There were approx. 1,000 farms and 14,000 slaves that toiled those plantations. On average, an acre of land yielded roughly 200 -300 pounds of cotton. It was inhumane and mandatory that slaves picked at least that much or more per day. From dawn to dusk - bended knees and backs bowed.

Hailing 9th in the state for its economic wealth, Newberry's real estate value was estimated at $6,500,000 and $18,500,000 for personal property or slaves. The abundance of wealth accumulated from slavery and share cropping boosted Newberry SC economy until WWII. By the early 1900's, Newberry SC boasted of three prosperous segregated cotton mills: NEWBERRY (1885) MOLLOHON (1901) OAKLAND (1904). Systematic racism was the norm and widespread in the cotton mill industry. The wage disparity between the white mill workers and black male mill laborers was unmatched. White men received the highest pay, followed by white women earning fair pay and black laborers earning the bare minimum. Black women were often forbidden, and many relied on domestic housework to provide for their families. The black laborers were excluded from the factory floors, some at the very same cotton mills that many helped build. They were tasked with the low paying grunt work, often working the cotton docks, janitorial duties, and other dangerous mill jobs. The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964 and cotton mills began to integrate. Oakland mill was the longest running cotton mill, closing their doors in the 2000's. Newberry Cotton Mill shutdown in 1982 and Mollohon Mill was demolished in 1974.

COME ALONG AND RIDE ON A FANTASTIC HISTORICAL JOURNEY!!

Come along and embark on a captivating 2-hour journey via an open air-filled vintage style electric cart. Participants will be shuttled to three historical cotton mill sites that once housed these economic power houses; while setting their sights on some of the oldest structures built pre and post the Civil War.

What to expect:

1. Stop: Newberry Cotton Mill village

2. Stop: Jessica Ave ~ Nance Plantation (Frederick Nance house)

3. Stop: Mollohon Cotton Mill village

4. Ride through Historical Main St. district

5. Ride through Newberry College campus

6. Stop: Oakland Mill village

** Duration: approx. 2 hours

** Live narrated tour

** Photo op along the way

*** In case of inclement weather, tour is subject to a delay, reschedule or cancellation **

*** Minimum of three people required to do tour ***