Come join the Laurens County Museum for a captivating Lunch-and-Learn presentation on William Preston Hix, taking place on Tuesday, April 30, at Noon. Historian, author, and esteemed researcher Laura Elliott from Gadsden, Alabama, will delve into the life of Laurens County native William Hix, a notable figure who, along with his three brothers, served during the Civil War. Hix became renowned as an artist and photographer, among other pursuits. Admission to the lecture is free for museum members, and non-members are encouraged to contribute a suggested donation of $5. The museum is conveniently located at 116 South Public Square, Laurens, SC. All are welcome to attend; simply bring your lunch and be prepared to learn!

William Hix’s artwork can be admired at State Houses in South Carolina and Virginia. Elliott recently acquired one of his paintings depicting a Columbia, SC doctor at an auction in Laurens, which will be showcased during the event.

According to Mrs. Elliott, “William Preston Hix is arguably one of Laurens’ most significant figures from the 19th Century, yet his important contributions remain largely unknown. He was a brilliant, talented individual bursting with potential, a true artistic genius. Although overshadowed in the photography realm, Hix eventually earned well-deserved recognition as an artist, albeit belatedly. In business, he initially shone brightly until he faced considerable adversity at the hands of a magnate. Hix’s life was a tapestry of highs and lows: skill and aptitude, fortune and misfortune, triumph and tragedy, riches to rags – and back again. Was Hix simply impatient, an underachiever, or inherently unlucky? The reality is far more nuanced.”

Join us in welcoming Mrs. Elliott on April 30th. For further details, please contact (864) 681-3678, or visit the museum on Facebook or at LaurensCountyMuseum.org.