Historically, Greenville County owes much to its natural advantages of scenery, location and abundant water, but it has also benefited from its colorful characters, such as Richard Pearis, Vardry McBee, Richard Furman and the Earle family. Hidden History of Greenville County details the personalities, places and events that have given Greenville its progressive, diverse environment. Join archivist and history professor Alexia Helsley as she explores some of these individuals and their contributions, as well as little-known events in the area and the ever-fascinating "Dark Corner." From mansions to murders, learn things about Greenville County history that you've never encountered before.

Alexia Jones Helsley is an archivist and historian with deep roots in western North Carolina. Her parents live in Hendersonville, and her father, Dr. George A. Jones, is a native of Saluda, North Carolina. She is a founding member and program vice-president of the Henderson County Genealogical and Historical Society and has published widely on the history of North and South Carolina. Her North Carolina titles include A Guide to Historic Henderson County, North Carolina and the Henderson County (N.C.) Revolutionary Pensioners of 1840, 1997 recipient of the Willie Parker Peace Prize (North Carolina Society of Historians). Other relevant research interests include the Battle of Kings Mountain, Mountain Page Baptist Church, Carolina migration trails and the Pace family of western North Carolina. Her Pace ancestors moved from Virginia into eastern North Carolina and eventually settled near Saluda. Helsley, an instructor in history for the University of South Carolina, Aiken, currently serves as president of the Pace Society of America. In addition, she is a member of the Old Exchange Commission, and in 2006, the South Carolina State Historic Records Advisory Board presented her with the Governor's Archives Award.