Entertainment

• Do you have the key? Escape reality at Lock, Clock and Peril Escape RoomSumter’s premiere escape challenge!

• Visit Swan Lake Iris Gardens where ten sculptures by iconic local artists grace the grounds.

• USC Sumter has four art galleries that are open to the public Monday through Friday.

• Want to catch a movie on the big screen? Beacon Sumter Cinemas is a multi-screen theater showing the latest Hollywood hits as well as Flashback Cinema showing the hits of yesteryear. The Sumter Opera House also has big screen movies throughout the summer.

• Sumter hosts over 100 festivals and events throughout the year including the Sumter Iris Festival, Oktoberfest, Fantasy of Lights, the Black Cowboy Festival, Festival on the Avenue, the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Festival, and many more.

• Throughout Sumter there are more than 50 public art installations on display in a variety of locations such as our parks and downtown area. Check out our maps online to find them all!

• Discover your inner artist at one of the painting studios around town. Millennium Studios and Sip & Gogh offer relaxed atmospheres where you can unleash your creativity while enjoying a drink and the company of your fellow artists.

Sumter has 3 indoor concert arenas: the Sumter County Civic Center (3,200 seating), Patriot Hall (1,300 seating), and the Sumter Opera House (500 seating). Each of these facilities offers varying amenities and they are available for private events too.

• The Creative Canvas Project is working to bring more art to Sumter through murals throughout the city. We currently have five outdoor locations as part of the Creative Canvas project. Locations are:

• 122 N. Washington St.

• 337 Manning Ave.

• 9 N. Main St.

• 363 Manning Ave.

• 24 W. Liberty St.

• During the summer months, head to downtown Sumter for Fourth Fridays and enjoy an evening with friends, food, and FREE live music!

Known affectionately as “Molly” as a result of his frequent use of the phrase “Hot tamale!” Shaw initially enlisted with the US Army, but was later commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Air Service.

Shaw perished on July 9, 1918 when his aircraft was shot down by German forces. He is buried at Regina Trench Cemetery in France, where he became the first and only American Airman laid to rest there.

(Now Shaw Air Force Base)

Home to the USAF 20th Fighter Wing and Patton’s Third Army

Shaw Air Force Base (formerly Shaw Field) is named in honor of World War I pilot 1st Lt. Ervin David Shaw, a native of Sumter.

Since its activation on August 30, 1941, Shaw Air Force Base has played a critical role in defending the United States, both at home and abroad. Today, Shaw Air Force Base is a thriving community of military members and their families and is an integral part of our community.

Bethune

July 10, 1875

Ever since Sumter was carved from the South Carolina Backcountry in 1800, African-Americans have represented approximately one-half the total population. From this diversity has risen a rich shared history, with our African-American citizens leading the way for the nation with singular accomplishments in government, military, education, sports, and more.

• Mary McLeod Bethune’s entire long life was marked by her complete commitment to education. Learn about her legacy at the Mary McLeod Bethune Learning Center & Art Gallery in Mayesville. 35 N Main St. (803) 453-6161

• Morris College - In 1908, the State Baptist Education and Missionary Convention of South Carolina founded Morris College, Sumter’s first and only historically black college (HBC) and is still open today. Notable alumni of the college include Dr. Leroy Bowman, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, Freedom Rider Herman Harris, and writer Arthenia J. Bates-Millican, National Endowment for the Arts fellow and protégée of Langston Hughes. The campus is located at 100 West College St.

• Historic Lincoln Center - The Lincoln School was founded in 1874 for Sumter’s AfricanAmerican students. Lincoln High School merged with Edmunds High School to become Sumter High School which moved to its current location on McCray’s Mill Rd. in 1983. The Museum opened in 2013 and features historic artifacts. The Center is also used for a variety of meetings and events, including educational programs and forums. The Center was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. The Lincoln Center is located at 20-26 Council St.

• Sumter hosts a number of historic churches that have significance to our community and have played a vital role in our diverse heritage. Most of these churches can be viewed from the outside at any time, but please call ahead to confirm that your visit will not disrupt any service.

Mary McLeod

Bethune

1875 – May 18, 1955

McLeod Bethune was born County near the town of Mayesville. From a humble beginning, went on to greatness, starting a in Florida and serving as an to five US presidents.

A state-of-the-art facility with a rich and intriguing past.

The original Sumter Opera House was destroyed by a fire in December 1892 and was rebuilt to its present form from 1893-1895. Throughout the years, the Opera House has been used as a concert venue, movie theater, and even the city jail.

In addition to its status as an entertainment destination for Sumter and the surrounding areas, the Sumter Opera House is also home to Sumter City Hall.

August 14, 1734 – June 1, 1832

General Thomas Sumter served in the South Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War — earning the nickname “the Gamecock” for his fierce fighting style — and was later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, where he served from 1801 to 1810.

Sumter has a long history of agriculture and farming, with numerous farms, and four outdoor farmers markets.

To learn more about the history of our farms and the continued importance of agriculture in Sumter, take the annual Ag + Art Tour (agandarttour.com/sumter for tickets) which visits local farms, artisans, and the local farmer’s markets! It’s a great way to see it all in one stop!

Sumter is home to countless residents who have shaped our history. Just a few of these remarkable people are:

• Tuskegee Airmen Willie Ashley, Leroy Bowman, J. Philip Rembert, and Emmett Rice, who dared the skies as heroes in World War II.

The Sumter Military Museum, located at 129 S. Harvin St., is a mustvisit for anyone interested in the military history of the area. Many military members retire here to enjoy Sumter and the connection between veterans, active duty, and civilians. Call (803) 469-7827 to book a tour.

Want to know more about Sumter’s sports legacy? Head to J.

O’Grady’s downtown and view decades of hometown memorabilia.

• Bill Pinkney of the Drifters, the WWII veteran who helped bring Carolina “Beach Music” to the world, helping to define an era. Enjoy a walk or a picnic at Willie “Bill” Pinkney Community Park, located near his birthplace in the town of Dalzell.

• Country music artist, Lee Brice who recently made a hometown stop to play to thousands at Sumter’s Patriot Park

• Prominent voices for Civil Rights, including James Felder, James T. “Nooker” McCain, Ernest Finney, Jr., Dora McDonald, and others.

• Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen, Superbowl champ Freddie Solomon of the San Francisco 49ers, World Series MVP, Yankees second baseman, Bobby Richardson, and 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant

The Sumter County Museum features four areas that highlight the rich history of Sumter. Start with the elegant WilliamsBrice House, where you can see fine arts exhibits, learn about our namesake, Thomas Sumter, the importance of CocaCola in Sumter, and more. Stroll across the lawn to our Carolina Backcountry Homestead. This recreated homestead plays host to our living history events. The Heritage Education Center was built in 2003 as a facility to host programs, classes, and traveling exhibits. These areas are located at 22 N. Washington St.

Temple Sinai, a Reform Jewish synagogue at 11 N. Church St., was built in 1913. The Temple building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The Jewish community in Sumter dates back to the early 19th century. In 2018, the Temple Sinai Jewish History Center was created serving as the home of both the History Center and Congregation Sinai. Permanent exhibits feature: Exploration of Jewish immigrants, Stories from Sumter residents, and Lessons from the Holocaust. Call (803) 775-0908 for more information.

Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital 129 North Washington St. (803) 774-9000