Building Renovation Update

The Museum reopened the weekend of September 5, 2008 after being closed for renovations since November of 2007.  The over one million dollar makeover of The Museum was the largest financial investment since its move into Uptown Greenwood in 1982. 

Renovations were funded through a federal grant from the Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initative (EDI), a portion of The Emerald Triangle project’s capital campaign managed by the Greenwood Arts Council, hospitality tax funding from the City of Greenwood and grants from the Self Family Foundation, the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, The C.Y. Thomason Foundation, as well as money raised through local private contributions.

Funds paid for architectural and engineering fees, roof repairs, building and fire code upgrades to the main building, a new HVAC system, new exhibitry, a new gallery space adjacent to the Durst Gallery, upgrades to the Durst Gallery, replacement of the elevator and renovations to The Museum’s warehouse.

Greenwood's D.S.P. Architects provided design and construction management services for the project.  Construction was completed by W. E. Baker and Sons of Whitmire, SC. 

The new Main Street Exhibit features a number of faux store fronts that contain interactive components. Among them is a movie theater, a Thomason train station, a C.L. Beaudrot and Sons blacksmith shop, a dress shop, a general store and more.  The other store fronts also have hands-on elements. In the dress store, visitors can select from an array of material to decorate hats. It the train station, patrons are able to inspect packages which are marked to be shipped on a locomotive. While some things displayed are indeed not to be touched, several exhibits are designed to be hands-on.

The Museum’s lower basement level is slated for classroom space and Greenwood history.  Fund raising for this project is presently underway.  For additional information, please contact The Museum at (864) 229-7093.