Our Story
The Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum first opened its doors in 1976 under the name Pendleton District Agricultural Museum. Established by the Pendleton District Historical Commission, its original mission was to showcase and preserve the agricultural history of Oconee, Pickens, and Anderson counties. That same year, the South Carolina Legislature entrusted the museum with managing the South Carolina Century Farm Program.
​
In June 2013, the museum was reopened and renamed the Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South Carolina, in honor of James “Bart” Garrison, the son of the late Senator T. Ed Garrison, who tragically lost his life in a farm-related accident. With the name change came an expanded mission: to tell the story of agriculture across the entire state of South Carolina.
Since then, the museum has continued to grow, now featuring both indoor and outdoor exhibits, educational programs, guided tours, and preserved historic structures—from a Pee Dee tobacco barn to a mountain schoolhouse. It also includes our unique event venue, the Iron Oak Barn.
Our Mission
The mission of the Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum is to provide educational insight into the historical development of agriculture in South Carolina. This objective is pursued through the acquisition and preservation of historical artifacts, the conduct of scholarly research, and the implementation of educational programs and curated exhibitions.
Jordan Bannister,
Museum Educator
An enthusiastic educator with a background in anthropology and training at museums across the East Coast, Jordan is a passionate teacher who brings years of experience to the team. Jordan is a canner, gardener, and amateur chef on the board of the Pendleton Historic Foundation.
MEET OUR TEAM
Josh Johnson,
Curator/Archivist
Josh, originally from Oconee County, has been working in South Carolina Museums since 2012. Josh has a passion for history and preservation, particularly in the Southern and Upcountry regions.
Les McCall,
Executive Director
An Oconee County native with a passion for agriculture, Les has been with the Museum since the beginning. His goal is to help provide a space for youth and adults to learn more about farming culture and modern farming techniques, through a lens of history.