The Freshwater Coast Region II Discovery Center in Edgefield, a part of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, celebrated its fifth anniversary coupled with its annual Heritage Harvest last Tuesday night.

A crowd of about 100 people attended the event which featured live bluegrass music, Shealy’s barbecue, a silent auction and much more.

Michelle McCollum, CEO and President of the S. C. National Heritage Corridor, welcomed everyone and introduced the Region II committee members.

“It is great to attend this Region II function to recognize the fifth anniversary of the Region II Discovery Center and to celebrate all the accomplishment that Region II has made this year. We’re very proud,” she said.

McCollum introduced State Senator Shane Massey who serves many of the areas in Region II, including Edgefield, Aiken, Saluda and McCormick.

Massey told the attendees that the S.C. Heritage Corridor was established by Congress in 1996 with the primary goal of promoting economic development in the rural areas of South Carolina through heritage tourism.

“The Heritage Corridor is made up of 17 counties, divided into four regions, covering a distance of 240 miles along the Savannah River,” he said.

Looking around, he commented, “I believe there are people here tonight from all five counties—Edgefield, Saluda, McCormick, Aiken and Greenwood.”

He continued, “Each region has its own unique attractions…The Freshwater Coast Region, to which we belong, is the historical setting for some of the most significant military and political events, events that literally shaped this nation.”

He added, “All in all, the Heritage Corridor provides a cross section of South Carolina’s historical, cultural and natural resources in order to tell the story of our evolution and culture.”

Massey noted that within the Heritage Corridor, there are only two discovery centers.

“We are very fortunate and blessed in the Freshwater Coast region, and here in Edgefield, to have this discovery center,” he said.

Since the opening of the Discovery Center here, the SCNHC has contributed over $50,000 in technical assistance, marketing support and funding in the region. In the past five years, over 38,000 people have been through its doors, from all over the world. Over $80,000 worth of merchandise has been sold in the Discovery Center gift shop, much of it the work of local artisans.