ADDRESS: 2279 Harris Short Cut Road Conway, SC
HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday, 9a-4p. Guided farm tours available on Saturdays at 10am (unless other events are happening).
WEBSITE: LW Paul Living History Farm
ADMISSION: Free!
OTHER: Good for all ages. Mostly outdoors (may need sunscreen and bug spray). No pets allowed.
*The County Museum and Living History Farm are in collaboration but they are in different locations.*
what to expect at the lw paul living history farm in conway
This is another incredible and free part of the Grand Strand that many never take advantage of. This farm in Conway is thanks to successful local businessman and developer Larry Paul. He set aside 17 acres devoted to demonstrating what rural life looked like in Horry County in the early 1900s.
PAULEY’S SWAMP PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH | There is a replica of this historic church that houses the original pews and pulpit, which date back to the 1840’s.
HOUSE WITH FOOD DEMONSTRATION | There is an old home complete with furniture, toys, clothing, and kitchen supplies that fit with this time period. On our visit there was a young lady dressed in clothing from the time period. She was in the kitchen preparing food and answering questions about the primitive methods of cooking, canning, and preserving that would have been in use in the early 1900’s.
PACK HOUSE, OUTHOUSE, SMOKEHOUSE, CHICKEN COOP | All of these things are close together on the right side of the farm.
HORSE PASTURE | When we were there we saw two horses and a cow. We didn’t get a good look at any of them because they were toward the back end of their pasture.
CORN & VEGETABLE GARDEN + TOBACCO FIELD | The farm grows tobacco, corn, and a variety of heirloom vegetables. When we went there were two demonstrators out on the farm and one of them was tending to the field crops. He enjoyed talking about the crops, strategies of farming, and general time period depicted on the farm.
BLACKSMITH, CANE PROCESSING, TOBACCO CURING BARN | The front and left side of the farm has tools, artifacts, and information about other crops and trades from the early 1900’s.
know before you go
WEATHER MATTERS | Since this is an outdoor activity, try your best to go on a day that isn’t rainy or too hot.
ASK FOR THE SCAVENGER HUNT NOTEBOOK | The farm didn’t offer this on our visit but afterward I emailed the staff to ask if they’d ever considered creating one. I love having something like this to keep the kids entertained. They do have something on file and said they’d keep more available, so ask for it if it isn’t offered!
CHECK OUT THE EVENTS & DEMONSTRATIONS | We went on a normal day when no events or demonstrations were happening. It was nice and quiet, which we enjoyed. But demonstrations definitely increase the fun and excitement for all ages so check their events page to see what’s happening.
PICNIC TABLES ARE AVAILABLE | If you want to pack a lunch or just need a shady place for a snack then there are plenty of picnic tables available.
HORRY COUNTY MUSEUM & LIVING HISTORY FARM ARE IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS | This confused me. Because their websites are together and all the materials I saw referenced them both I assumed they’d be at the same location. That is not the case. The farm is out in a more rural part of Conway and the County Museum is in downtown Conway.
