Special Documentary Screenings in Columbia and Gaffney

Mechanic to Millionaire: The Peter Cooper Story is a documentary that explores the life and legacy of Peter Cooper, a little-known but influential inventor and philanthropist who supported the idea of free education for all Americans, regardless of race, class, or gender. Mechanic to Millionaire will have two special screenings in South Carolina prior to its public television debut. On Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 p.m., the documentary will be shown at the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia, and on Monday, November 2 at 4:00 p.m., the documentary will be shown at Limestone College in Gaffney. Mechanic to Millionaire: The Peter Cooper Story was produced by The Gardner Group and supported by SC Humanities through several Major Grants.

Peter Cooper was a self-made man who built a fortune in glue production. He is best-known for his contributions to education, including founding the Cooper Union in New York. Cooper has a special connection to South Carolina through Limestone College in Gaffney, an institution that he helped to save when it fell on financial hard times after the Civil War. Mechanic to Millionaire: The Peter Cooper Story will explore Cooper's influence in South Carolina and beyond.

During the two public South Carolina screenings of Mechanic to Millionaire, Dr. Paul Anderson of Clemson University will facilitate question and answer sessions about the film and particularly about the Civil War and Reconstruction eras, when Cooper was most active.

For more information about the documentary, please see the Web site at: http://www.petercooperstory.com/index.html.

The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. SC Humanities programs and initiatives are balanced, reflecting sensitivity to the diversity of ideas, encourage open dialogue, demonstrate integrity, and are ethical in operations.