Events

Historic Hart House Tour

Enjoy a free tour of the historic Thomas E. Hart House. Join a Kalmia Gardens’ docent to learn about the history of the Gardens, from Thomas Hart, to Miss May, right up to the present.

The tour begins at 10:00am and meets at the front door of the Hart House. House tours are open to the public and are for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no pre-registration for tours, and availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

August 13, 2026
10:00am

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, Invasive Species: Rebalancing Your Backyard Ecosystem

Join Kaela Miller, Plant Collections Coordinator at Brookgreen Gardens, for her presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.

Kaelea will be presenting her lecture Invasive Species: Rebalancing Your Backyard Ecosystem. Oftentimes we have plants from other parts of the world that do too well in our gardens. When those plants start creeping into native habitats, it can become a devastating ecological problem – but one we can work to fix. Come learn how to distinguish the difference between our native and invasive flora, and what to do next!

Kaela Miller is the Plant Collections Coordinator at Brookgreen Gardens. She has undergraduate degrees in marine science and biology and a graduate degree in teaching. Her background in conservation ecology and education fuels her passion for native plants and their interactions with wildlife.

Please note: This event is held at the Joslin Education Center at:
1520 W. Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, S.C. 29550

August 19, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations or non-attendance.

Virtual Silent Auction

Introduction to Horticulture Class

Join Assistant Director of Kalmia Gardens, Lucy Contreras, for a weekly beginner-friendly horticulture basics class where you will learn the foundations – from soil to design, pruning to entomology, and plenty in between! 

Classes start on September 1 and end on November 3, meeting every Tuesday at the Joslin Education Center from 5:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Classes will primarily be in the classroom, but will include two outdoor practicals. Registration is limited and pre-registration of $150 is required. Class registration and payment may be done electronically via credit card and includes a credit card fee, or you can contact Lucy at Kalmia Gardens to arrange for payment with cash or a check by emailing her at [email protected].

Lucy Contreras is the Assistant Director of Kalmia Gardens and has worked in public horticulture for almost two decades at different public gardens in New York and South Carolina. Her experience includes working as a horticulturist and rosarian, managing plant collections and records, horticulture education, and more. She earned her degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Farmingdale State College in New York and particularly enjoys growing native plants and roses.

Please note: This is held at the Joslin Education Center at:
1520 W. Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, S.C. 29550

Tuesdays, September 1 – November 3 2026
5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations or non-attendance.

Historic Hart House Tour

Enjoy a free tour of the historic Thomas E. Hart House. Join a Kalmia Gardens’ docent to learn about the history of the Gardens, from Thomas Hart, to Miss May, right up to the present.

The tour begins at 10:00am and meets at the front door of the Hart House. House tours are open to the public and are for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no pre-registration for tours, and availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

September 10, 2026
10:00am

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, How You Can Improve the World – Starting in Your Own Backyard

Join Mary Ridgeway, Director Emeritus of Kalmia Gardens, for her presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.

Mary will be presenting her lecture How You Can Improve the World – Starting in Your Own Backyard. There is an amazing plethora of life that can be found in an ordinary yard – if you simply provide the right plant material. Join Mary and learn how to add more life to your own yard, all while improving our natural world, one garden at a time.

Mary Ridgeway grew up in Darlington S.C. and received a degree in Plant Science, specifically Ornamental Horticulture, from Clemson University. The highlight of her career has been to be known as the second Director of Kalmia Gardens in Hartsville, S.C. The Gardens proved to be the perfect job since it melded the love of nature, enjoyment of working with people, horticulture and history. Her new career is inspiring others to create a haven in their own backyards for wildlife so it may flourish in this time of rapid loss of wild lands to development. Life offers so many transformations but a constant has always been the love of nature, animals and sharing the joy of gardening with you.

Please note: This event is held at the Joslin Education Center at:
1520 W. Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, S.C. 29550

September 16, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations or non-attendance.

Historic Hart House Tour

Enjoy a free tour of the historic Thomas E. Hart House. Join a Kalmia Gardens’ docent to learn about the history of the Gardens, from Thomas Hart, to Miss May, right up to the present.

The tour begins at 10:00am and meets at the front door of the Hart House. House tours are open to the public and are for all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no pre-registration for tours, and availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

October 8, 2026
10:00am

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, Thomas Hart, The Land, Money, and the Legacy

Join Brian Gandy, Historian and Director of Darlington County Historical Commission and Museum, for his presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration and $5 tickets are required and can be purchased HERE.

Brian will be presenting his lecture Thomas Hart, The Land, Money, and the Legacy. This presentation will examine the move from Mechanicsville to Hartsville, his rise and fall, and the property that was connected to his Black Creek Plantation.

Brian Gandy is a lifelong resident of Darlington County and currently resides in the Antioch Community of Hartsville. He is the son of Tim and Doris Gandy, with Doris having served as the county’s historian. Prior to joining the Darlington County Historical Commission, Brian was deeply involved in historical preservation efforts throughout the region. He held leadership roles in the Darlington County Historical Society—including serving as both Treasurer and President.

Brian has been with the Historical Commission for almost 2 decades, during which time he has become a sought-after speaker on topics related to local history and genealogy. His presentations span the county, the state, and the broader Southeastern United States. He is widely recognized for his extensive collection of historical photographs documenting the people and places of Darlington County.

Under Brian’s leadership, the Historical Commission has seen significant growth, including an 18,000-square-foot expansion of its campus and a substantial increase in both artifact and archival holdings.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Francis Marion University and pursued graduate work at Gardner-Webb University.

When asked about following in the footsteps of Horace Rudisill, a revered figure in local historical preservation, Brian responds with clarity: “No, I’m not intimidated. We have different focuses. Horace was the collector, dedicated to building the archival foundation. My mother, Doris Gandy, was the organizer who shaped that collection into a cohesive and accessible resource. I see myself as the promoter and preserver—committed to expanding their legacy and fostering public engagement with our history.”

Among his most notable achievements, Brian cites the creation of the Darlington County Museum—a unified institution that represents the diverse communities of Darlington County and parts of the Pee Dee region. Since its opening in May 2023, the museum has welcomed over 14,000 visitors, a testament to its impact and the strong community support it enjoys. “We built it,” Brian says, “and together, we’re seeing people benefit from it.”

Please note: This event is held at the Joslin Education Center at:
1520 W. Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, S.C. 29550

October 21, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Sorry, no refunds on customer-initiated cancellations or non-attendance.