A Brief History of the Visitors Center

In the first decade of the twentieth century, Mary Ann Butler Evans founded a Newberry institution: the Public Lounge. Since modern conveniences were scarce at that time, Mrs. Evans proposed the creation of a place where woman and children could congregate while men conducted business in the county seat. The result was a public parlor with available rest rooms in the Old Court House on the square. Mrs. Evans volunteered her time to operate the facility until her death in 1917. The Lounge was the first of its kind and remains the oldest in use today.

In the 1930's the Newberry County Council of Farm Women (now the FCL) took control of the maintenance of the Lounge. In the 1990's, the same group undertook an interior renovation which included the restoration of many of the original furnishings.

In 1996, the Newberry County Development Board asked the county for permission to use the Lounge as a Visitors Center. As a result, the old public parlor continues to serve the community as we explore our tourism potential.

Stop By & See Us

The Newberry Visitors Center is the perfect place to start your visit to our county. The center has information on area attractions and historic sites as well as local restaurants, antique shops and businesses. Pre-arranged group tours and step-on service is available.

The Newberry County Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, or by appointment. We are closed on holidays. If you need any information, give us a call at (803)276-4274 or e-mail: chamber@newberrycounty.org.