Georgetown County Library launches ‘Independence to Interstellar’ series on American innovation

The Georgetown County Library has received a $40,500 grant to host a 15-part educational series celebrating 250 years of American innovation.

The series, titled “From Independence to Interstellar: 250 Years of American Innovation,” will run from January through May 2027. The initiative is supported by a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the South Carolina State Library. 

Presentations will highlight a broad array of historical and cultural developments, ranging from South Carolina’s Revolutionary era history and Lowcountry rice cultivation to modern IndyCar technology and university contributions to the space economy.

Events will alternate between the Georgetown Library and the Waccamaw Library on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m., with select weekend events scheduled as well. Featured speakers include Grammy Award winner Charlton Singleton, Emmy nominee Ron Daise, and former South Carolina Sen. Vincent Sheheen.

All 15 presentations are free and open to the public. In addition, filmed recordings of each event will be uploaded to the library’s YouTube channel.

The grant will also fund the purchase of roughly 1,000 adult nonfiction titles centered on the theme of innovation to be distributed across the library system.

The project features a special experiential learning event on May 7, 2027: a historical kayak excursion along the Sampit River led by Georgetown County Library Poet Laureate Hastings Hensel and Black-Sampit Riverkeeper Erin Donmoyer. Registration for the kayak tour is free but requires advance signup via email with Dr. Daniel Cross Turner at [email protected].

More information and a full schedule of events can be found by contacting Turner at 843-545-3363 or visiting the Georgetown County Library website.

Here’s a snapshot of the entire series offerings: