PICKENS — Sunshine, music and a glimpse into a past belonging to Pickens County most rarely consider were the agenda for the day at Hagood Mill in Pickens as guests took a walk into the past April 16 as part of the Pickens Azalea Festival.
Hagood Mill, still a working mill producing meal, grits and flour, is from a time long gone by in Pickens County, but as visitors strolled through the grounds they were treated to a glimpse of a simpler time when homes produced all the goods they would need.
Items ranging from hand-spun yarn, quilts, ground meal and hand-caned chairs to items produced at a forge by blacksmiths were all on display as were the hands and minds to pass the tradition and techniques along, even if in an introductory fashion.
Plus, the Southern tradition of a moonshine still was on display, just behind bars in case anyone had bright ideas or entrepreneurial spirit.
There were food vendors and musicians also on hand. Some residents chose to pull up a seat, or grindstone as the case may be, enjoy a bite and listen to tunes from the past, classic country, bluegrass, and ditties from a long ago day.
Some chose to visit the Petroglyph museum, featuring prehistoric Native American art. The art is in the form of rocks that have been carved to create images far pre-dating the settlement of the original 13 colonies. Much of the mystery surrounding these ancient carvings is their meaning and exact origin.
Adults, children, toddlers, infants and pets alike found the gathering more than enjoyable with the slow pace and the opportunity to experience a way of life.