A few short years ago, I was introduced to a woman by the name of Amelia Wallace Vernon. My first impression of Mrs. Vernon was that of a dedicated local historian working hard to preserve the life stories of the African-American people in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. At that time, she had in her possession a book she wanted to publish that was filled with pictures of historical artifacts and people who had lived in the Hewn-Timber Houses on what is now the campus of Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina. I persuaded her that rather than publish the book in its proposed paper format to make it available via the Internet. The homes still remain on campus and tours can be arranged.

Not long after that first meeting with Mrs. Vernon, we began a long, working relationship. Her dedication continues. The website was established and it contains approximately 350 photos. I know - I scanned each and every one of them in my spare time!

The link for the main page of the site is now available at this site as there have been recent changes to the other that has made some items unavailable. Click here to get to the main page.

The contents of the site is divided up into the following sections that contain links to the pictures. Each picture has an explanation.

• The history of the houses
• Working in the fields
• 19th century life
• Cotton-picking time
• 20th century life
• The rice growers
• Searching for the African ancestors
• Nearby African American sites
• Woodcraft
• Building the hewn-timber houses
• Ruska Gregg - wood craftsman
• Recalling other craftsmen

Equally important as the photos are the links to information that have been reviewed by academics. You can find those here.

For a tour of the hewn-timber homes on campus, you can visit the campus or you can click here.