Memories of the Old Homeplace

Remember the Old Home Place Forever

As southerners we want to hold onto to everything. And, sometimes we don't have the resources and time moves on. Only the memories remain and the stories we pass down to our children about our elders and our childhoods.

What memories are more special than those of the old home place. It may be the house you grew up in, or maybe your Grandmother's house or the farm where you spent every summer. It could be that old lake house or river house or beach house. No one but you and your family can appreciate what that porch swing brings to mind, or that old truck in the barn, or the fence going down the drive.

Here is a way to preserve those memories forever.

Several years ago I took my 75 year old mother to a family reunion that was held at her old family home place. We were lucky in that some cousins had lovingly cared for the place and as I sat in the yard eating fried chicken and potato salad, it was just like being there 40 years ago.

I went back and photographed the place and presented my mother with a book of the pictures. She went through the book, page by page, reminiscing over times she had spent there visiting her grandparents, playing with her cousins, and enjoying holidays with her family. Since then my mother has passed away. But, I captured the magic of the home place forever. Who knows the place may burn down tomorrow.

Let me capture that magic for your family.

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The Brass Tacks (or How to Get it Done)

If you are interested in preserving a memory for generations to come I think you will be very surprised at how little it will cost to have your precious memories saved for generations to come by a professionally produced photographic book.

I like to work with every one on an individual basis because each project is a work in progress. Often we end up finding more than we thought was there. (Memories fade until we return home and are reunited - briefly- with the past.)

Just email me at homeplacememories@gmail.com I always enjoy hearing from folks and am happy to answer questions.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Lunch on the Grounds at Sardis Church

There's a southern term, "lunch on the grounds" which refers to lunch that is served on the church grounds after the Sunday service. This can be to celebrate Homecoming or Revival. Whatever the reason it is a festive occasion, not just for the fellowship, but for the food. This is a meal of fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, biscuits - and, of course every church lady's most "famous" dessert, not that they would be competitive or anything.

Some of my fondest memories were going to Lunch on the Grounds with my grandparents and my Grandmama's delightful biscuits and to die for coconut cake. (No one would dare show up with anything "store bought".)

This a picture of the tables under the picnic shed at Sardis Church, that I am sure were made just for that purpose. I can only imagine the good food and fine fellowship that has been shared over the past 130 years or so.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Sardis Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery

Another view of Historic Sardis Church in Branchville, SC.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Sardis Methodist Episcopal Church

This lovely historical church sits just outside Branchville SC. The original church, a log building, was built in 1811 on a site about a mile from the present one. A second one, a frame structure, to replace the first was built on that original site in 1849. The role of the church in 1849 shows "80 whites and 32 coloreds". In 1870, the church records show the frame structure was "so dilapidated it was torn down". The present church (shown here) was constructed in 1871 and still stands today.