Museum Gets A Makeover
November 14, 2007
By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal Staff Writer
Greenwood, SC - Many in the Greenwood area have enjoyed the relatively newfound benefits offered in the Emerald Triangle.
The Federal Building, home to the Arts Council, was completely refurbished and has played host to numerous social events and business functions this year. Greenwood Community Theatre re-opened, boasting a remodeled look and offering first-class, community-based theater productions.
Now, with construction under way since earlier this month, the third side to metaphorical Triangle -- The Museum -- is getting its long-scheduled facelift.
On Tuesday, workers from W.E. Baker and Sons Construction, of Whitmire, worked with a crane operator to install trusses on the roof of The Museum’s warehouse building.
Greenwood assistant city manager Charlie Barrineau discussed the work.
“Well, this is the third leg of the Emerald Triangle Capital Campaign construction,” Barrineau said. “They are getting a new pitched roof on the warehouse today, which will help greatly in the weatherization of the structure.”
Matt Edwards, of The Museum, said there will be plenty of rehabs to the warehouse, which houses many artifacts donated and obtained by The Museum over the years. A fire sprinkler system will be installed, and updates are forthcoming for the lighting and humidity control systems in the warehouse, along with new shelving.
“Part of our responsibilities are to preserve and collect pieces that are a part of our cultural history,” Edwards said. “With the improvements to our warehouse area, we will be able to accomplish that in an appropriate manner.”
Edwards talked about how he envisions each floor of the museum will be laid out upon its completion, which is tentatively set for May or early June 2008. The facility is closed until completion.
He said the third floor will likely be dedicated to natural history, particularly as it relates to the region.
Edwards said the main floor, accessed at the entrance off Main Street, will house more broad-ranging exhibits reflecting regional history, including information about Native Americans, colonial efforts, the cotton economy, industrial influences and many other topics pertinent to areas all around the Southeast.
Meanwhile, Edwards said the lower floor is set to feature exhibits that are entirely Greenwood specific. He did say the lower floor might not be ready until 2009.
“The lower floor will be completely dedicated to Greenwood and our unique and diverse community,” Edwards said.
Barrineau discussed the funding of the revitalization efforts. A total of $996,000 dedicated to the remodeling. Of that, $396,000 is coming from a Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative grant leveraged by U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett.
The other $600,000 was appropriated by Greenwood City Council and will come from the 2 percent hospitality tax levied against prepared food sold within the city limits.
The hospitality tax is designed to raise funds specifically for improvements and maintaining tourism-related entities in Greenwood. Benefactors of the tax include Greenwood Community Theatre, The Museum, the to-be-constructed Lander University sports complex and the Federal Building.
The Museum is also set to receive $15,000 from accommodations tax funding. However, that funding will go specifically toward the facility securing a nationally renowned dinosaur exhibit that will serve as a grand-reopening drawing card next year.
Accommodations tax funding in Greenwood is used specifically to promote tourism.
Edwards said museum officials will be working hand-in-hand with exhibit designers to make sure as much of the casework and exhibit finishing can be accomplished with the help of local merchants and residents.
He also said it is gratifying to see The Museum finally get its turn in the renovations process, especially after seeing the work done on GCT and Federal Building.
“This was supposed to happen a year ago,” Edwards said. “But, in the end, it’s better that it didn’t because we have learned a good deal in the last year that will help make the renovations even better.”
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