TLC: Music from the Mills (May 13, 2025)

Exploring the Music of the Cotton Mills: A Musical Lecture by Hunter Holmes

Attendees for the May Learning Current program were invited to step back in time and experience the sounds of an era often remembered for its hard work, resilience, and community spirit. On May 13th, a special musical lecture, Music from the Cotton Mills, brought to life the songs, stories, and rhythms that once echoed through the local mill towns.

The unique program combined a live performance by Hunter Holmes of Laurens, with historical storytelling, offering a window into the daily lives of mill workers and their families. From ballads sung at home to the guitar tunes played at community gatherings, the music of the cotton mills reflected the struggles, hopes, and creativity of people who found expression through song even in the midst of very demanding labor.

The lecture traced the roots of these traditions, connecting them to broader American folk and Appalachian musical heritage. Listeners heard the tunes and lyrics which carried forward the cultural memory and created bonds of solidarity in mill villages across the South, particularly in the Piedmont area of South Carolina.

While performing many of the songs on different instruments, Holmes also shared anecdotes and historical context, allowing those who attended to both hear and understand the significance of this music. Participants came away with a deeper appreciation for how art and culture can flourish even in the most challenging settings.