Clemson Area African American Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 2002 |
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| Location | Calhoun Bridge Center, Clemson, South Carolina |
| Type | African American museum |
| Public transit access | Clemson Area Transit |
The Clemson Area African American Museum (CAAAM) is a special place in Clemson, South Carolina, USA. It's a museum that teaches everyone about the amazing history and culture of African Americans. It helps us remember important achievements and stories. The museum is located inside the Calhoun Bridge Center.
Contents
Discovering History
The Clemson Area African American Museum was officially started by the City of Clemson, South Carolina, in 2002. It first opened its doors to visitors in 2007. The idea for the museum became real thanks to the City of Clemson. Mayor Larry Abernathy had a great vision for the community. The city bought and fixed up the building for cultural and community uses.
A School's New Life
The museum is located in the Calhoun Bridge Center. This building used to be an all-black school called Calhoun Elementary School. It was the last school built for African American students in this part of Pickens County.
The Museum Building
The Clemson Area African American Museum is in an old building called the Morrison Annex Building.
From Schoolhouse to Annex
The land where the Morrison Annex building stands was once home to Calhoun Elementary. This was the second school for African American students during a time called segregation. Before that, there was a one-room schoolhouse nearby. The current annex building was built in the 1940s. It was built by the Pickens County School District. This was to help the growing number of African American families in the Calhoun area.
Changes After Segregation
After schools became desegregated, the Calhoun Elementary School building changed. In 1971, it became a place for kindergarten and first grade students. Older students (grades two through five) went to Margaret Morrison Elementary School. So, the building was renamed Morrison Annex.
New Ownership and Purpose
When Clemson Elementary School moved to a new spot, the City of Clemson bought the Morrison Annex property. This happened in August 2003. The city paid $100,000 for it. The building on Butler Street was then renovated. This big project cost about $1.3 million and was finished in 2006.
On April 16, 2007, the City of Clemson officially changed the name of the Morrison Annex. It became the Calhoun Bridge Center. The Calhoun Bridge Center is a busy place. Besides the Clemson Area African American Museum, it also houses the Clemson Child Development Center and the Arts Center of Clemson.
What the Museum Collects
The main goal of CAAAM is to find, collect, keep safe, and share the history, art, and culture of African Americans. The museum protects many important items. These include pieces of art, historical artifacts, and special memorabilia. They also have other materials that people can use for research.
See also
- List of museums focused on African Americans
- List of museums in South Carolina
- Southern Arts Federation
- National Endowment for the Arts
