Events

Christmas Open House

You are cordially invited to share the holiday spirit with Kalmia Gardens at the Historic Hart House c. 1820.

The Hart House will be open, free of charge, decorated in period style with light snacks and a visit from Old Saint Nick. Along with the Hart House tour, the Hart Cottage will also be open free of charge. Please visit both historic homes on Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Hart House is located in Kalmia Gardens at 1624 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, S.C. 29550.
The Hart Cottage is located at 106 E. Home Ave., Hartsville, S.C. 29550.

December 7, 2025
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, The Wonderful World of the Virginia Opossum

Join Katherine Schelp, Wildlife Rehabilitator, for her presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration is required and $5 tickets will be on sale soon.

Katherine will be presenting her lecture The Wonderful World of the Virginia Opossum. She will discuss the Virginia Opossum, including their habitat, life cycle, diet, benefits, and reasons to invite them to your yard.

Katherine Schelp has been a Wildlife Rehabilitator since January of 2000. Her experience includes working with Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center (formerly Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons) in Hampton Bays, N.Y. and Save the Animals Rescue (S.T.A.R.) Foundation in Middle Island, N.Y. She is a 78-year-old transplant from Long Island, New York who arrived in Hartsville, S.C. in November 2022.

The Joslin Education Center is located at 1520 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550.

January 21, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, Converting Your Lawn to Garden

Join Carmen Ketron, Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator for Darlington and Florence counties at Clemson Extension, for her presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration is required and $5 tickets will be on sale soon.

Carmen will be presenting her lecture Converting Your Lawn to Garden. She will share a comprehensive presentation that teaches proven techniques for converting grass areas into beautiful, productive garden beds. Discover site assessment, grass removal methods, soil preparation, plant selection, and maintenance strategies. Leave with the knowledge to create an eco-friendly space that uses less water and chemicals than traditional lawns.

Carmen Ketron is the Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator for Darlington and Florence counties. Carmen has a BA in Political Science from Coastal Carolina University, an MS in Environmental Science and a MPA from The College of Charleston with a focus in food system nonprofits. She started her career in horticulture growing mixed vegetables and cut flowers in Tidewater Virginia and went on to managing community and university gardening programs at the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina. Her passion lies in engaging people in the numerous mental, physical, and emotional benefits of working with plants and plant materials through ecological placemaking and all aspects of urban and peri-urban horticulture.

The Joslin Education Center is located at 1520 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550.

February 18, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Oyster Roast Fundraiser

We’re sure you have heard how amazing this event is, with mounds of steamers, cold craft beer, flowing wine, live music, a huge porch full of incredible foods (for you land lovers), as well as a mix of some mighty fine folks. Well, we will be pulling it all together again March 21, 2026 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., and you don’t want to miss out. Purchase tickets while they’re still available – this event does sell out!

March 21, 2026
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Darlington County Master Gardener Association Plant Sale

Are you looking for some unique plants to add to your home garden? Look no further than the Darlington County Master Gardener Association Plant Sale at the Joslin Education Center at Kalmia Gardens! Shop for annuals, perennials, edibles, shrubs and more! Not sure what will work in your garden? No problem! Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your questions and help you make the best planting decisions for your unique garden situation.

April 16-18, 2026
April 16-17: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
April 18: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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

Earth Day Celebration

Come celebrate Earth Day at Kalmia Gardens! This free event is fun for the whole family and includes local vendors and exhibitors that can’t wait to meet you and share their love of the natural world. Enjoy nature hikes throughout the grounds all while appreciating the wonders of Mother Nature.

April 18, 2026
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, Managing Stormwater Runoff in the Home Landscape

Join Geraldine Cuypers, Water Resources Agent for Florence County Cooperative Extension, for her presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration is required and $5 tickets will be on sale soon.

Geraldine will be presenting her lecture Managing Stormwater Runoff in the Home Landscape. Stormwater has emerged as a leading threat to water quality as our environments become more urbanized and can result in erosion, poor drainage, and flooding. Join Geraldine Cuypers as she discusses how to manage stormwater runoff at your home and how you can reduce the impact you have on stormwater runoff. Lecture attendees will learn best management practices to address erosion, poor drainage, and flooding with the use of rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, and the use of native plants.

Geraldine Cuypers joined the Clemson Extension Water Team in July of 2023. She graduated from Francis Marion University (FMU) with a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish, as well as a Bachelors of Science in Biology and a concentration in Environmental Science. Hailing from a small island in the Caribbean, Geraldine has loved being in and near the water since infancy. She is passionate about wildlife conservation, natural resource conservation, and environmental sustainability. Before joining the Extension team, Geraldine worked as a stormwater compliance inspector for the City of Florence, and it was during her time with the city that she discovered her interest in connecting with people of diverse backgrounds while raising their awareness about local and global environmental issues. In her free time, Geraldine enjoys spending time in nature, engaging in activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, and traveling to new places.

The Joslin Education Center is located at 1520 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550.

May 20, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

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 is required and $5 tickets will be on sale soon.

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.”

The Joslin Education Center is located at 1520 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550.

October 21, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.