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 (often called CAAAM) is a special place in Clemson, South Carolina, United States. It's found inside the Calhoun Bridge Center. This museum helps everyone learn about the amazing history and culture of African Americans. It's a great spot for people in the Greater Clemson Area and all over South Carolina to talk about the past.
CAAAM offers many cool things to do. They have presentations, workshops, and fun activities. These are for everyone who visits, including families and groups.
Contents
A Look Back: How the Museum Started
The Clemson Area African American Museum was officially created 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 Mayor Larry Abernathy. He had a vision for the city to buy and fix up a building for community and cultural uses.
The museum is located in the Calhoun Bridge Center. This building used to be a school just for African American students. It was called Calhoun Elementary School. It was the last school built for African American students in this part of Pickens County.
The Museum's Building: A Historic Place
The Clemson Area African American Museum is located in an old building called the Morrison Annex Building.
From Schoolhouse to Museum
The spot where the Morrison Annex building stands was once home to Calhoun Elementary. This was the second school for African American students during a time when schools were separated by race. Before it, there was a smaller, one-room schoolhouse near the Goldenview Baptist Church. The current annex building was built in the 1940s. It was made by the Pickens County School district to help the growing number of African American families in the Calhoun area.
Changes Over Time
After schools were no longer separated by race, 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, this building was renamed the Morrison Annex.
In August 2003, the City of Clemson bought the Morrison Annex property. This happened after the new Clemson Elementary School opened. The city paid $100,000 for the building.
A New Purpose for the Building
The building on Butler Street was then fixed up. This cost about $1.3 million, and the work 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! It not only holds the Clemson Area African American Museum. It also houses the Clemson Child Development Center and the Arts Center of Clemson.
What You Can See: The Museum's Collection
CAAAM works to find, collect, keep safe, and share the history, art, and culture of African Americans. The museum protects art objects, historical items, and other special materials. Some of these are available for people to use for research or learning.
See also
- List of museums focused on African Americans
- List of museums in South Carolina
- Southern Arts Federation
- National Endowment for the Arts
