Exploring the State Museum’s Collection and a New Exhibition, “This Just In”

By JoAnn Zeise, curator of history, South Carolina State Museum

Do you know what the South Carolina State Museum has been up to lately? Besides what’s going on with our Windows to New Worlds renovation project, King Tut, changing exhibitions, and great programs, the museum is constantly adding to its collection. And a lot of that work goes on behind-the-scenes. Since the heart of the museum is its collection, let’s explore a bit of the State Museum’s collection and how we care for it.

Since 2011, the museum has added about 500 objects to its collection. A few of those objects will be in a new exhibition, This Just In, which opens tomorrow.  Most of these objects have never been on display to public.

Here are a few highlights that represent our four museum disciplines (art, history, natural history and science/technology) that will be included in the exhibition…

Reminiscent, oil on canvas painting by Charleston artist, Eva Carter.

c. 1850 sunburst design quilt that family lore claims was used to carry items while the family fled Sherman’s Army during the Civil War

Panthera leo, African lion skull donated by Wildlife Safari

Richland County voting booth from the 1960’s
   
You don’t want to miss seeing these objects! Once these are returned to storage, they may not be out again for a quite some time, if ever.

But why collect things that visitors won’t see?  Here are a couple of reasons…

• Our mission is more than just exhibiting South Carolina’s treasures. We also collect and preserve objects.
• Some objects are too delicate to be on display for very long. 
• Other objects don’t fit into current displays. 
• Most museums display about 10 percent of their collection at any one time. In fact, the more objects a museum has, the smaller percentage of its objects is on display. For example, the Smithsonian’s museums in Washington D.C. only have about two percent of their collection on display. 
• While objects we collect may not go out on display, that doesn’t mean they are hidden from view. Researchers often visit the museum to study objects in storage. That includes authors, artists, genealogists, and students from all around the world. We also loan objects to other museums and research institutions.

This exhibition will be on display until March 2, 2014 and is included as part of the regular museum admission.

But wait, the excitement doesn’t end inside with our new exhibition. In conjunction with the opening of This Just In, we are also hosting our annual Fall Festival & Pickin’ Party tomorrow outside the museum from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This event will feature four types of tasty South Carolina barbecue, live musical acts and folk artists demonstrating and selling their wares.  So grab your family and friends and come out for some fun.  Be sure to bring a big appetite!

We hope you’ll come and see a bit of what we’ve been up to at State Museum.  Click here for more information about the State Museum or follow @scstatemuseum on Twitter.

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