George Washington may not have slept here, but he did visit.

The Cayce Museum held a family event Saturday to remember when President Washington came to the Town of Granby – present-day Cayce.

In March of 1791, the President felt his appearance throughout the states would help unite them more and foster a common feeling of oneness.

He started on his Southern Tour to visit and get to know the people of NC, SC and Georgia. 8 men, 11 horses, Washington’s personal white carriage and a baggage wagon made up his entourage.

They entered the state near present-day Myrtle Beach and went down the coast to Charleston and Savannah. He re-entered SC near Augusta, GA and took the road from there towards Columbia. That road later became the first federal highway, US 1.

Before crossing the river into Columbia, they rested and visited with the residents of Granby which was 30 years older than Columbia with established businesses, churches and services.

The Cayce Museum staff thought it would be a great history lesson for kids and their parents. Re-enactors portrayed George Washington in period attire and demonstrated how they cooked, dressed, sewed and embroidered, dyed with indigo, held military drilling, and a fife and drum quartet.

William Poole portrayed Washington and made a fine speech about unity and national pride.

Alan Stello from the Charleston Powder Museum explained rifle manufacturing and demonstrated how to fire a black powder musket.

Christian Cicimurri from the McKissick Museum showed the visitors 18th century recipes. She and Jim Hammond demonstrated cooking techniques.

J. R. Fennell of the Lexington County Museum regaled visitors with stories about colonial times here.

Jerry Kirkland of the Cayce Museum told me that they had a good crowd and things went well.

“We are telling history here,” he said. “You can go to every tent and learn some history.”