Tucked away in beautiful Ware Shoals, a certified organic farm dedicated to sustainability is making waves in the agriculture community. Head farmer Chris Sermons is a naturalist who has studied native species, farming, permaculture and conservation for over 20 years. Chris is passionate about preserving and restoring native habitat and believes this balance is an integral part of the farms health! You can find Bio-Way produce and numerous farmers markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and at their roadside produce stand!

The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen has been serving the community since 1981. With the goal of nourishing those in need both physically and spiritually, they have become an irreplaceable resource in Spartanburg. In addition to their regular services, the soup kitchen also provides a “children’s corner” which offers a special place for kids to enjoy a meal and engage in activities such as story time or drawing with volunteers and other guests. Volunteer Opportunities (Anytime between 9:30-1:30) Food Prep Load and unload incoming donations Organize pantry Assemble children’s take-home bags Dishwasher duty Food line servers After lunch clean up (Tables, chairs, floors)

Holidays The Museum is closed.

A celebration of vibrant community and the subtleties of life are shown in the upcoming Artists Collective | Spartanburg exhibition “Bounce & Sway: A Celebration of Community and Life” by Spartanburg artist Kimberly Christopher Rodriguez. The exhibit will be in Gallery II Aug. 8 through Sept. 2, with an artists’ reception during the Aug. 17 ArtWalk Spartanburg.

Christopher-Rodriguez says the exhibition of her hand-pulled prints, drawings, and installation art are “meant to be fun, colorful, thoughtful, and immersive. The artwork invites visitors to experience the spirited bounce of colorful prints and soft sway of the installation.”

This week, CCC launches “Art Teachers As Artists” – an inspiring art exhibition celebrating the creativity and talent of 8 exceptional art educators from Spartanburg County School Districts 1-7 as well as private/charter schools. This unique showcase provides a rare glimpse into the artistic mastery of those who inspire and nurture young minds daily. Through this exhibition, we invite you to explore a captivating fusion of passion, skill, and innovation, as these teachers step into the limelight to share their artistic visions. See it online here, then plan to visit our gallery in person in the Mosley Building on the Chapman Cultural Center campus! Here are the participating art teachers: Roscoe Conn Broome High School Liz List SC School for the Blind Sam Mitchell Coordinator Mildred Harrison Dent Fine Arts Center Mildred Harrison Dent Endowed Chair Upper School Visual Art/Art History Teacher Spartanburg Day School Cindy Riddle Retired art teacher, Spartanburg District 1 Schools Now Teaching Artist Michael Shoolbred Clifdale Middle School Annette Spencer Beech Springs Intermediate School Robert Urban Dorman High School Krista Wingo, M. Ed. James F. Byrnes High School Byrnes Freshman Academy The exhibition will be on display until September 5th.

Chapman Cultural Center Campus
Monday: Open for admin & rentals only
Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

The Very Hungry Caterpillar story is about hope.  You, like the little caterpillar, will grow up, unfold your wings and fly off into the future.”

                                                                                                                                                                    –Eric Carle

Colorful adventures in literacy and STEAM learning await in the special exhibition, “Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit,” making its Southeastern United States debut at the Upcountry History Museum, Greenville, SC.

At this play-and-learn exhibit, co-organized by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, Massachusetts, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, visitors step into the pages of author and illustrator Eric Carle’s colorful picture books and experience them as artist and reader, while discovering and playing with five special insects from his well-known children’s books.

Carle’s classic “Very” book series, is reimagined in the 2,500 square foot exhibition. Utilizing Carle’s hand-painted tissue paper collage technique, the exhibit presents the five “Very” special insects who invite visitors to join them on their journeys of discovery.

Through interactive experiences, visitors become the “tiny and very hungry Caterpillar,” following along his iconic path. They also weave a web with the “Very Busy Spider;” find their light with the “Very Lonely Firefly;” make the “Very Clumsy Click Beetle” flip and jump; and compose a night symphony with the “Very Quiet Cricket.”

In “The Studio,” a flexible workspace, visitors are connected to the artist and his playful approach of creating illustrated book art through multiple hands-on activities. Children create their own collages using many of Eric Carle’s materials and techniques.

In the “Reading Zone” children and their caregivers explore visual literacy and reading through words, pictures and video.  Visitors are invited to listen to Eric Carle read his stories and talk about his process or read their own favorite Eric Carle story with a friend

Each of the “Very” stories are a testament to Eric Carle’s love of nature, his respect for the emotional lives of children, and his recurring themes of friendship, creativity, and the power of imagination.

The creator of more than seventy books, Eric Carle (1929-2021) combined winsome stories and lively collages that appeal to young readers and adults alike.  While Carle’s stories are charming, they’re layered with information too.  As children read his books about animals, families, nature, and fables, they also learn their colors, numbers, and letters.  Eric Carle focused on making learning accessible and fun – and in the process, he invited children to fall in love with books and reading.

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas! Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century. Once your appetite for knowledge is satisfied, enjoy sample tastings of flavors like Apple Pie, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Peach, and Strawberry moonshine. If the samples are not enough, there will be plenty of Moonshine infused cocktails like Copper Cola or Moonshiner’s Mimosa available for purchase. GSMR is excited to feature multiple craft NC based distilleries to serve our guests only the best! Each jar is handcrafted and authentically infused with real fruit, the way moonshine was meant to be made. Passengers will also enjoy a full service All-Adult First Class ride with an attendant and our popular Cajun seasoned Pulled Pork BBQ with Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce cooked in our special spices and slow roasted to perfection! During the month of October, 9am departures will feature the option of a delicious Cheesy Shrimp & Grits or Cheesy Ham Hash Brown Casserole while 2pm departures will be served the popular BBQ meal.

Sandburg Home Tours – Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm.

*As of April 2022, tours are free until further notice. See rates below if they change before your visit. Online reservations are available at recreation.gov.

The Sandburg Home is a great place to start your visit! The ground floor of the home contains visitor information, exhibits, tour ticket sales, the park store, and you can watch the park video. The main and top level of the home are furnished with the Sandburg family belongings. Visitors may only access the furnished ares of the home on a guided tour.

• Tour Reservations: Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. Tours fill up quickly. Last-minute, in-person tickets may not be available on the day you visit. Plan ahead and reserve house tour tickets at recreation.gov.

• Passes: The park does not currently sell the America the Beautiful– National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
  *These passes do not waive the house tour fee, but do provide a discount.
  *You can purchase a pass online at America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass | USGS Store.
• 30-minute house tours are offered year-round, schedule varies by season. Visit recreation.gov for the current schedule.
• Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour.
• Tours are limited to 6 persons.
• Strollers are not permitted on the house tour, but there is a place to leave them for storage. Infants and small children should be carried through the house while on tour.

  Sandburg Home Guided Tour Fee
  *Tours are free until further notice, this chart is the rate when fees resume.
  (credit card only)
  $10.00 for Adults 16 and older
  $6.00 for Adults age 62 and older and all interagency pass holders
  Free for Children age 15 and under

Included with admission

Back by popular demand, The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition offers guests:

• An opportunity to view rarely-seen treasures from the Biltmore collection
• A first-hand look at the Vanderbilts’ lifestyle
• Deeper insights into George, Edith, and Cornelia’s personalities, both at home and on their extensive travels

Access to exhibitions at The Biltmore Legacy is included with Biltmore daytime admission.

Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she’s been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated. Based on the bestselling novel by Paula Hawkins and DreamWorks film.

*Adult language and content. Parental discretion advised.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through September 30, 2022 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Beverage Service

Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome

Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)

Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. 

Find more information here.