Rice Museum

Although rice may seem like an unusual subject matter for a museum, this grain altered the history of the State of South Carolina and of the U.S. itself. The Rice Museum explores the history of rice in this state: from the discovery in the late 1700s that its marshlands were perfect for growing this crop, to the height of the rice boom, when South Carolina accounted for almost half of U.S. production.You can't miss the brown and white clock tower that houses the museum. This 19th-century structure, called the Old Market Building, is home to a multitude of maps, models, artefacts and examples of machinery associated with the rice industry. The museum also explores how the rice boom brought extreme wealth to South Carolina, and how the industry was in large part built on the use of African slave labour.When you've finished your visit, head next door to the Kaminski Hardware Building for some more historical edification. Now home to the Maritime Museum Gallery, it houses the Browns Ferry Vessel, the oldest ship currently exhibited in the US. This all-purpose freighter was sunk in 1730 after less than 30 years in service. If you fancy having a guide, knowledgeable local volunteers will take you on an hour-long tour of both the Old Market and Kaminski Hardware buildings. To round off your history-packed day, seek out Georgetown's many pre-Civil War era houses and municipal buildings.Lafayette Park, on the Sampit River, is the perfect place for a picnic enjoy your lunch in the shade of its old clock tower. If you need to walk off your meal, head to the Francis Marion National Forest. Located just outside Georgetown, it's a much-loved local hiking spot.The Rice Museum is open every day except for Sundays and national holidays. There's a small charge for adults and children over five years of age. Georgetown is a 50-minute drive from Myrtle Beach and the Rice Museum is located by the river.