Events

Sentinel Plant Network Plant Health Workshop

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, A Hypochondriac’s Guide to Gardening

Join Lucy Contreras, Assistant Director 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.

Lucy will be presenting her lecture A Hypochondriac’s Guide to Gardening. Gardening is a great way to get outside and enjoy the tranquility of nature – unless you’re a hypochondriac. Lucy Contreras, a self-proclaimed hypochondriac (though her doctors would surely agree) discusses the real (and perceived) dangers lurking in the garden, as well as how to stay ahead of them. In this lecture, Lucy will share her experiences as a professional horticulturist and homeowner working in the garden through humorous anecdotes and general tips to make your time out in the garden pleasant, safe, and enjoyable.

Lucy Contreras has been the Assistant Director of Kalmia Gardens since December 2024. She has worked in public horticulture for over a decade at a number of different public gardens in New York and South Carolina, including as a horticulturist, managing plant collections and records, 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 event is held at the Joslin Education Center at:
1520 W. Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, S.C. 29550

June 17, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

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

Tickets and Pre-Registration

Week in the Wild Summer Camp (Rising 1st – 3rd Grade)

Kalmia Gardens’ youth summer camp, Week in the Wild, is back! If your child is a rising first through rising third grader who loves spending time in the great outdoors, this camp is for them. Campers spend time exploring Kalmia Gardens through hikes, arts and crafts, games, and with visits from special guests.

To register your child while space is still available, call (843) 383-8145. Registration opens April 2nd.

$150 pre-registration per camper is required.

Week in the Wild Summer Camp (Rising 4th – 6th Grade)

Kalmia Gardens’ youth summer camp, Week in the Wild, is back! If your child is a rising fourth through rising sixth grader who loves spending time in the great outdoors, this camp is for them. Campers spend time exploring Kalmia Gardens through hikes, arts and crafts, games, and with visits from special guests.

To register your child while space is still available, call (843) 383-8145. Registration opens April 2nd.

$150 pre-registration per camper is required.

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.

Tickets and Pre-Registration

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.

Tickets and Pre-Registration

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.

Tickets and Pre-Registration