Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum facts for kids
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| Location | 1865 Lake Drive in Orangeburg, South Carolina |
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| Type | History |
The Cecil Williams South Carolina Civil Rights Museum is a special place in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It helps us remember and learn about the civil rights movement. This movement was a big effort to make sure everyone had equal rights. The museum's founder and main person in charge is a famous photographer named Cecil J. Williams.
Discovering the Museum
This museum is filled with history. It has 35 different exhibits. You can see 500 photographs and over 200 artifacts. Artifacts are old items that tell a story. These exhibits show the civil rights movement in South Carolina. They cover important events from the 1950s and 1960s.
Key Moments in History
The museum highlights several important events. One is the Briggs v. Elliott Supreme Court case. This case was about ending segregation in schools. Segregation meant keeping people of different races separate. Another event is the Orangeburg Freedom Movement. This was a local effort to gain equal rights.
You can also learn about Harvey Gantt. He was the first African American student to attend Clemson University. This was a big step for integration in education. 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 was when workers fought for fair treatment.
What Else to See
Beyond the main exhibits, the museum offers more. There is a timeline of the civil rights movement. You can see an 800-name recognition wall. This wall honors many people involved in the movement. The museum also has a special lab. Here, old photos and documents are made digital.
There is a sign-in wall where visitors can leave their mark. You can also find a media and presentation center. This is where you can watch videos and learn more. The museum has a community meeting room. There is also a library and a gift shop.
How the Museum Started
The museum opened its doors in 2019. It is a large space, about 3,500 square feet. The building itself was designed by Cecil Williams in 1986.
At first, Mr. Williams paid for the museum himself. Soon, many visitors became interested. The museum then started getting money from grants. These grants came from groups across the region and the country. In 2020, the museum was shown on national television. It was also featured in National Geographic magazine. Just a few months after opening, the museum received a large donation of $100,000.
