'Edgewood' comes to North Augusta
"Edgewood: Stage of Southern History" took it on the road last weekend as the documentary about the home of Lucy Pickens and later Eulalie Salley spent the day filming at Rosemary Hall in North Augusta.
Judith Goodwyn, USC Aiken development director, explained that the documentary about the Pickens-Salley House relates the history of Edgewood, which was the home of Lucy Pickens and later Eulalie Salley before being moved to the USCA campus where it now sits.
When asked why they were filming at Rosemary Hall rather than at the historic house, Goodwyn explained, "Pickens-Salley is not a house museum. It is now divided into offices for the university."
She said that to share the history that took place within the historic walls, a home was needed - complete with things like a dining room table and a bedroom, both of which no longer exist in the home once called Edgewood.
StoryLine Media, owned and operated by Christi and Jamie Koelker, is handling the filming of the documentary. Deidre Martin of USCA is the executive producer; Christi is the director, with assistance from USCA's Dr. Maggi Morehouse; and Jamie is the photo director. The first half of the documentary is already completed - the part that includes the life of Lucy Pickens, who with her husband, Francis, lived in the home built in Edgefield County. Mrs. Pickens was known as the "Queen of the Confederacy."
Last Saturday, actors Carla Cloud and Shawn Maratea were in the dining room of Rosemary Hall working on scenes involving the lives of Eulalie and Julian Salley, who in the late 1920s had the home moved board by board to Kalmia Hill in Aiken.
"Kelly and Diana Combs have been so nice," Goodwyn said of the owners of Rosemary Hall. "They're so happy to be here," she said, noting it is only recently that the Combs purchased the stately North Augusta home.
Judith's husband, Greg, agreed. "They're incredible." He explained that the Combs even offered up some of their furniture to be used in filming that took place in Aiken at the actual Pickens-Salley House.
Filming will continue through mid-November. Goodwyn said they're also doing a soundtrack.
"A student at USC Aiken is doing the music," she explained.
"This is an all-inclusive project," she said, detailing that the work is being done by volunteers.
"My husband, son and daughter-in-law are all in the movie," said Goodwyn, who then pointed to a USCA student, Corey Marshall, who has also played a part in the film.
Also on hand to do their own parts in the recounting of the building's history were former USCA Chancellor Dr. Bob Alexander and former Aiken Chamber President June Murff. The Pickens-Salley House was purchased by USCA in the mid-1980s and moved to the campus.
Goodwyn's involvement in the documentary came by way of her position at the university.
"I'm the one raising the money, writing the grants," she said of her USCA position, also noting she has had past experience in film, TV production and more.
Looking around at Rosemary Hall, Morehouse said, "It's fantastic that we've had access to this house ... It's just a treasure trove of teacups, vases, curtains and more."
She also suggested it was a particularly special experience knowing that Judith and Greg Goodwyn had spent their honeymoon at Rosemary Hall.
"They're creating magic scenes in there," concluded Morehouse.
For more information on the documentary, visit edgewoodfilm.com. And for more on the film company, visit storylinemedia.com.
