With busy hands and minds, American workers perform a diverse array of jobs to power our society. Work is part of nearly every American’s life, whether for professional satisfaction and personal growth or to ensure the well-being of their families. In offices, factories, on the road, and at home, millions keep the nation going through contributions to industry and American culture. Six South Carolina communities, in cooperation with SC Humanities, will celebrate this important history as they host The Way We Worked, a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program.
The Way We Worked will be on view in South Carolina from January 28 through November 12, 2017. Locations, in order, are St. George; Blythewood; Pickens; Chester; McClellanville; and Hartsville. See the full exhibit schedule here! Each community has been expressly chosen by SC Humanities to host The Way We Worked as part of the MoMS program, which is a unique national/state/local partnership that brings exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations.
The Way We Worked is now open in Chester, SC at Chester City H all. The exhibit is on display there from June 24 – August 6, 2017. They have a nice variety of special events planned. Some of the upcoming events to look forward to are:
June 24- August 6, 2017
Chester Through the Decades
Scrapbook Collection of thousands of local newspaper clippings from 1950- present day. Open during business hours.
Chester County Chamber of Commerce
109 Gadsden Street, Chester | (803) 581- 4142
June 24- August 6, 2017
Through the Lens of Henry O. Nichols: The Way We Worked in Chester County
Large Native American Collection & Display – Springs/Textile Display – Military & Gun Display – Cotton & Agriculture, and the amazing photography collection of Henry O. Nichols. The Nichols collection is part of the South Carolina Digital Library – scmemory.org Check our website for more information: chesterschistory.org
Guided tours top of every hour.
Chester County Historical Society Museum & Archives
107 McAliley Street, Chester | (803) 385-2332
June 24- August 6, 2017 | 9 AM- 7 PM
Antique Tractor Showcase
Unique display of antique farm equipment, fresh produce and hand-dipped ice cream for sale at the market.
Cotton Hills Farm
2309 Wilson Road, Lowrys | (803) 581-4545
June 24- August 6, 2017
Great Falls: Native Americans, Hydroelectricity and Textiles
Fridays – 1 PM- 4 PM
Saturdays – 10 AM- 5 PM
Sundays – 2 PM- 4PM
Exhibit created by the Great Falls HomeTown Association celebrating Great Falls’ rich heritage of hydroelectricity and textiles.
Town Hall | 808 Dearborn Street, Great Falls | (803) 482-2370
June 24- August 6, 2017
Transportation Showcase
Tuesdays – 10 AM- 2 PM
Saturdays – 10 AM- 4 PM
Sundays – 2 PM- 5 PM
Various images and transportation artifacts will be on display. Collaborative effort by the L & C Railroad and the Richburg Fire Department.
Richburg Town Hall
201 N. Main Street, Richburg | (803) 789- 5052
July 15, 2017 | 10 AM- 12 PM
The Civilian Conservation Corps
Discussion of how the Civilian Conservation Corps built Chester State Park. Presentation and short hike of the park. Park admission required.
Chester State Park
759 State Park Drive, Chester | (803) 385-2680
July 20, 2017
Painting Classes with Penney Winslow
Class for Kids: 3-4:30 PM | Class for Adults: 5:30-7:30 PM
Acrylic painting classes celebrating the importance that the Guernsey cow played in Chester’s agriculture history. Kids paint for $25 and adults for $38. Call office for ticket information.
Arts Council of Chester County
123 Main Street, Chester | (803) 581-2030
SEE THE FULL LIST OF SPECIAL EVENTS IN CHESTER
“Allowing our state’s residents to have access to the cultural resources of our nation’s premier museum is a priority of SC Humanities,” said Randy L. Akers, Executive Director. “The goal of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of our citizens, and The Way We Worked provides a unique opportunity to involve thousands in the cultural life of our communities. With this special tour, we are working with citizen-led committees and institutions throughout our state to develop local exhibitions and public programs to compliment the Smithsonian exhibition.”
The Way We Worked has been made possible in South Carolina by SC Humanities. The Way We Worked is part of the Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
In South Carolina, SC Humanities has received additional support for the The Way We Worked project from The Byerly Foundation, Dorchester County Accommodations Tax, Pickens County Accommodations Tax, Richland County Accommodations Tax, and Sonoco.
The Byerly Foundation
Funded in part by Pickens County Accommodations Tax
Official Pickens County Tourism website is www.visitpickenscounty.com
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 23-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.
Image: A Lab Tech at Borden Factory (where they manufactured Eagle Brand Evaporated Milk) circa 1940; Copyright Henry O. Nichols Collection 2016 Digital & Print – Used By Permission
