After she moved to Georgia more than 40 years ago, Rosemary Hopkins' neighbors urged her to start a collection of china that highlighted the Peach State's history.

Originally from McCormick, S.C., Mrs. Hopkins shared her 12-plate collection with her family. When her sister, Nancy Moore, tried to find something similar on South Carolina, nothing existed.

"There were plates that featured individual towns, but nothing was more than just a decorative piece," Ms. Moore said.

Mrs. Hopkins and her family decided to tackle the project.

Now, with 16 designs available, Mrs. Hopkins said she can finally see the dream coming together.

For three years, her family researched the South Carolina's history. They even went to one of their former teachers to get ideas on what to put on the plates.

Each blue-and-white plate features a prominent figure, place or moment in the state's history. The back of each plate also has information about what's on the face.

"Georgia's had their set since 1933, and when we got started we just wanted something that special for South Carolina," Mrs. Hopkins said. "I knew South Carolina had better history than Georgia."

The plates are:

- Andrew Jackson

- Best Friend of Charleston

- Dispensary Bottle

- St. Andrews Church

- Two plates of Colleges and Universities

- Historic Hotels and Inns

- John de la Howe School

- Fort Moultrie

- Indians of South Carolina

- Notable men

- Notable women

- Fort Sumter

- Edgefield, Home of 10 Governors

- Statehouse

- Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

At $85 a piece, the china is an investment, but Mrs. Hopkins hopes South Carolina families will see it as an heirloom.

"It's fine bone china that's dishwasher and microwave safe, so you can use it every day," Mrs. Hopkins said. "We would like to add more plates eventually. If people have other ideas or thoughts, we'd love to hear them."

The plates are sold online and in stores in McCormick and Greenwood counties.

Visit www.southcarolinahistoryplates.com/index.html for more information.

Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.