Beautiful Barbados

From http://www.sc-heritagecorridor.org/

Public Invited on Trip to Barbados Exploring Ties to South Carolina

Last update: 4:22 p.m. EDT July 27, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C., July 27, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC) has announced plans to invite the public to join them on a trip to Barbados October 22-26, 2008, to explore the long-standing historical and cultural connections between them. www.discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/history-heritage/african_american.aspx

The connection dates back to the birth of the Carolina colony when a boat carrying English planters and African slaves from Barbados landed at what is now Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site in 1670.

South Carolina's African American Heritage

The four-day heritage symposium will focus on the ties that still exist between the Caribbean island and the southeastern state. The visible connections between the two have grown over the past 338 years and are evident in South Carolina's culture, arts, food, architecture, language, agriculture, African American heritage and government structure.

Traveling Art & History Exhibit

The trip is the culminating event of a traveling art and history exhibit which has been on the road since December 2007, and which is jointly sponsored by the SCNHC and the Barbados Ministry of Tourism. The exhibit, entitled The Connection, comprises more than 70 pieces from South Carolinian and Barbadian artists representing various media that reflect the similarities of the two in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, arts, African American and maritime heritage. In addition to the artwork, the show includes an interpretive exhibit highlighting the rich historical and cultural connection still present between the island and the South Carolina of today.

The "international connection" has been highlighted in a new and innovative way as the exhibit marks the first time that a congressionally designated National Heritage Area has pushed beyond its borders to partner with another country in a project of this magnitude. In so doing, both locales are afforded a more complete understanding of their own past while also benefiting from the positive economic impact that such a heightened awareness of similarities brings.

Speakers, Touring & Local Cuisine

The trip will include tours, speakers, and traveling workshops with visits to the George Washington House, St. Nicholas Abbey, Caribbean Art Gallery, and various gardens and churches. In addition, the rich local cuisine will be highlighted throughout the trip.

The cost of the trip is $850 plus lodging and leaves from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. For more information, go to http://www.sc-heritagecorridor.org and click on The Connection.

SOURCE South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism

http://www.sc-heritagecorridor.org