Spartanburg Regional History Opens Civil Rights Exhibit

September 11, 2014 ~

SPARTANBURG, SC – On July 2, 1964 the United States Government issued one of the most notable pieces of legislation in our nation’s history prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. To commemorate this momentous decision the Spartanburg County Historical Association (SCHA) will open its newest exhibit “Civil War to Civil Rights: An Exploration of Freedom in Spartanburg” on Sept. 11, 2014 at the Spartanburg Regional History Museum, located at the Chapman Cultural Center.

The exhibit will highlight stories of the fight for African-American freedom and equality in Spartanburg from the antebellum period through the 20^th century. “With this exhibit we want museum-goers to witness the tragedies of slavery and racial injustices and learn about the work that was undertaken to gain racial equality in our community,” Executive Director Caroline Sexton said. More than just artifacts to look at, the exhibit will include interactive objects, such as a model slave ship that will invite visitors to step inside and experience the close quarters that slaves were forced to endure during the voyage to the new world. The exhibit will also give museum-goers the opportunity to view important artifacts from the community’s history, including objects from Carver High School, a segregated school zone map, a menu declaring a local restaurant’s “right to refuse service,” and items from community leaders.

“Civil War to Civil Rights” will open on Sept. 11, 2014 with an opening reception and will run through Feb. 28, 2015. The opening reception will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. and will include light refreshments and the chance to discuss the exhibit with museum staff. Tickets will be sold at the door for $6/SCHA members and $8/non-members. For more information about the exhibit, visit the Spartanburg County Historical Association online at www.spartanburghistory.org or contact them at(864)596-3501 or [email protected]. “Civil War to Civil Rights” is sponsored by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal and Lindsay and Billy Webster.

The Spartanburg Regional History Museum, operated by the Spartanburg County Historical Association, showcases the region’s life from before European explorers to the present-day.  The Museum’s collections examines Spartanburg textile mills, the military training camps Wadsworth and Croft, the changing city in photographs, and much more.  The Decorative Arts Collection highlights the cultural uniqueness and creativity of Spartanburg County and Piedmont area craftsman.  Frequent rotating exhibits explore a variety of engaging historical topics related to Spartanburg and the Upstate.  The History Museum is located in Chapman Cultural Center at 200 East Saint John Street in downtown Spartanburg.

For more information about the Historical Association or the Regional History Museum, visit our website at spartanburghistory.org, “Like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/spartanburghistory, “Follow” us on Twitter attwitter.com/sptbghistory, or see photos from our special events on Flickr at flickr.com/spartanburghistory.