Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum facts for kids
 |
|
| Location | 1865 Lake Drive in Orangeburg, South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Type | History |
The Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum is a special place in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It helps us remember important events from the civil rights movement. This movement was a time when people worked hard for equal rights for everyone. The museum was started by a famous photographer named Cecil J. Williams. He is also the person who takes care of all the amazing things inside.
Contents
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum has many interesting things to explore. There are 14 different exhibits. These exhibits show over 1,000 photographs. You can also see more than 300 historical items. All these things tell the story of the civil rights movement. This story focuses on South Carolina from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Important Events You'll Learn About
The exhibits highlight several big moments in history. One is the Briggs v. Elliott Supreme Court case. This case was about making schools fair for everyone. You can also learn about the Orangeburg Freedom Movement. This was a local effort for equal rights.
Another story is about Harvey Gantt. He was the first Black student to attend Clemson University. The museum also covers the Orangeburg Massacre. This was a sad event where students were hurt during a protest. Finally, you can learn about the 1969 Charleston hospital strike. This strike was when hospital workers fought for better treatment.
More Fun Things to Do
Besides the main exhibits, the museum offers other cool attractions. There is a timeline that shows key dates of the civil rights movement. You can also see a wall with 800 names of important people. The museum has a special lab to make old photos digital.
There is a sign-in wall where visitors can leave their mark. You can watch videos and presentations in the media center. The museum also has a room for community meetings. There is a library to read more about history. Don't forget to check out the gift shop too!
How the Museum Started
The museum first opened its doors in 2019. It is located in a building that Cecil Williams himself designed back in 1986. The museum is quite large, about 3,500 square feet.
At first, Mr. Williams paid for the museum himself. But soon, many visitors became interested. This interest helped the museum get money from different groups. They received grants from both local and national organizations.
In 2020, the museum became very famous. It was shown on national television. It was also featured in National Geographic magazine. A few months after opening, the museum received a big gift. The Chenault Family Foundation donated $100,000 to help the museum grow.
New Building Plans
In June 2024, something exciting happened. The city and county started building a new museum. This new building will be much bigger, about 11,000 square feet. It is being built at Orangeburg's Railroad Corner. This location is special because it's across from two important universities. These are SC State University and Claflin University.
