LINCOLNVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) — One hundred and fifty-nine years ago, freed Black men and women built the town of Lincolnville from the ground up.

Today, their descendants returned to make sure that the story is celebrated and not forgotten.

The Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society hosted its Lincolnville Hometown festival, honoring the rich history of its town with the community.

“Lincolnville is American history,” Pernessa Seele, founder and president of the Lincolnville Preservation and Historical Society, said.

Lincolnville was founded in 1867, born out of the ashes of slavery. Now generations of families are coming together, honoring their ancestors.

“They know that they came from enslaved people. And because of that, they were determined to do the things that they was necessary for them to have a better life,” Diane Mance, a Mance family attendee, said.

Those descendants are now carrying that same spirit forward.

“Everything that we had here was a part of us. Everybody that lived here was a part of us because the whole town seemed to be family,” Earnestine Johnson, a Bennett family attendee, said.

The Lincolnville Preservation & Historical Society partnered with the International African American Museum to digitally archive family records and photographs dating back to the 1800s.

“It’s important that we share these stories that we’re handed down to us, that we make sure that the folks behind is our children, our children’s children, that these documents are there for them, and they realize how important it is,” Seele said.

And the celebration didn’t stop at the archives.

Local vendors, artists, community groups and African dancers also filled the festival, sharing their passions and culture with the Lincolnville community, all because this town’s roots run deeper than history books.

“The story of our ancestors is one of trial. It is also one of triumph because we made it this far. We are the keepers of more Africanisms than any group of African Americans in the United States,” Janette Rodrigues, creative director of the Gullah Museum of Georgetown, said.

This homecoming brought families from across the country back to Lincolnville, reconnecting through their shared history, dancing and the promise that Lincolnville’s story will not be forgotten.

“We are very proud of this little town; it made us what we are,” Johnson said.

Organizers hope this festival reminds every family, no matter where they come from, that their history is worth fighting for and preserving.