The Olympia Mill Village Museum will present a Salute to Veterans Celebration on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 11, 12, and 13 at 2:00 p.m. each day. The Olympia Mill Village Museum received a Growth Grant from SC Humanities to support this event and other efforts to help the museum recover from the coronavirus pandemic by reengaging audiences and increasing their web presence. Funding for the Growth Grants has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
In addition to an outdoor American Flag tribute, the Olympia Mill Village Museum has a collection of military memorabilia which includes the actual American flags (with 48 stars) that draped the iconic Doughboy Monument standing on Whaley Street at the entrance to the mill village. This monument, dedicated in 1930 to honor World War I Veterans, was built with nickels, dimes, and pennies collected from mill workers, and it stands reflecting the proud heritage of all those who have served our country.
The Museum’s Military Exhibit includes artifacts from both World Wars I and II, Korean, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and other militaria. They also have two Linthead Military Service Record Books in which veterans and their family members share basic information about their service. In this way, the Olympia Mill Village Museum strives to honor veterans’ service and their sacrifice, acknowledging the contribution that serving in the military makes.
The Salute to Veterans Celebration will be a three-day event with a formal tribute each day at 2:00 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 11, 12, and 13. Refreshments will be offered, and there will be opportunities to share personal experiences with others who have served. The Museum also will rededicate their Linthead Military Exhibit.
Another event will take place in December: a Historical Marker Dedication. The marker, commissioned by the Olympia-Granby Historical Foundation, honors the Museum House as the site of the Olympia Mill School from 1901-1909. The historically rehabilitated house was placed on the National Historic Registry in 2018.
Additionally, in September, the Museum launched a redesigned website. olympiamillvillagemuseum.org is more user friendly, and it allows for additional photos and content.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer 21-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually.
