2025 Summer Lecture Series
The Friends of the Aiken County Historical Museum are pleased to announce our 2025 Summer Lecture Series.
The Series will be held at Woodside Country Club in Aiken. Dinner will be at 6 p.m., and lectures will start at 6:30 p.m. There will be a cash bar.
Tickets
Tickets are $35 per lecture (includes dinner), or $90 for the series of three. Refunds are available up to seven days before each lecture.
JUNE 10, 2025 LECTURE
South Carolina Alcohol and Saloons
Speaker: J.R. Fennell, Director, Lexington County Museum
This presentation will examine the history of alcohol in SC and Aiken County from the beginning of European settlement to the end of prohibition in the 20th century. Attendees will learn about efforts to pass laws controlling alcohol in the antebellum period as well as those who broke the law and made and sold illegal liquor during prohibition. The presentation will also mention the Dispensary which saw the state of SC have a monopoly on alcohol sales.
DINNER: Caesar salad, Chicken Parmesan over pasta with red sauce. Served with toasty baguette (Vegetarian option available, please tell us when you purchase tickets.)
JULY 8, 2025 LECTURE
Women of the Winter Colony
Speaker: Linda Johnson, President, Historic Aiken Foundation
The women of the Winter Colony didn’t just ride horses and host dinners. These accomplished women were movers and shakers who established many of the institutions Aiken enjoys today. Come learn about them!
DINNER: Woodside House Salad, Fire grilled filet of Teres w/ wild mushroom Bordelaise Sauce. Served with Yukon Gold Whipped Potatoes & grilled Asparagus (Vegetarian option available, please tell us when you purchase tickets.)
AUGUST 12, 2025 LECTURE
Shady Characters of the Winter Colony
Speaker: Lauren Virgo, Director, Aiken County Historical Museum
There are several hilarious, scandalous, and murderous tales to be told about the residents of Aiken’s Winter Colony. From the mysterious stabbing of a Winter Colony playboy to the coward of the Titanic who stayed at the Willcox and to the Winter Colonist who lost half of his face because of a fake medicine, this lecture will explore several shady stories and characters from Aiken’s past.
DINNER: Spinach salad with Julienned Carrots, Tomatoes, Candied Pecans. Smoked Goat Cheese & Cucumbers. Pecan Crusted Pork Loin Medallions with Apple Cherry Cream sauce. Served with Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans (Vegetarian option available, please tell us when you purchase tickets.)