Upcountry History Museum one of only five selected for Smithsonian Program
December 6, 2017
The Upcountry History Museum-Furman University, a Smithsonian Affiliate, has been selected as one of only five national Smithsonian Affiliates to participate in the expansion of the Smithsonian Secretary’s Youth Advisory Council (SSYAC).
Two Greenville area students have been chosen to represent the Museum and participate on the national Council. Hannah Jones, a senior at Pickens High School, and Henry Lear, a junior at Southside High School, are lending their advice and insight to Smithsonian Secretary David J. Skorton. The Council meets quarterly to discuss topics such as technology in museums, how museums could address societal conflicts and be catalysts for dialogue, and how the Smithsonian might accomplish its goal of reaching one billion visitors.
Skorton established the Youth Advisory Council in 2016 to gain advice and insight on youth perceptions of the Smithsonian, specifically from students in the Washington, D.C. area. This second group expands on the original work and includes students from the Smithsonian Affiliate network, providing a national perspective to the conversation by attending virtually. The Upcountry History Museum was designated a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2015.
“I decided we should look beyond our own backyard here in Washington to hear insights from youth living different lives in different parts of our country,” Skorton noted. “I look forward to connecting with our teens and gaining a wide variety of perspectives.”
“The Upcountry History Museum is honored to have been selected as one of the five museums from across the country to engage in this national conversation.” noted Dana Thorpe, CEO for the Upcountry History Museum. “This program provides a direct line for youthful perspectives to Smithsonian leadership, helps in shaping the future of museums across the country, and provides a forum for dialogue between museums and their future constituents.”
Local students Jones and Lear join 15 teens from the Washington metropolitan area, as well as eight teens recruited from national Smithsonian Affiliates. In addition to the Upcountry History Museum, the four other Affiliate museums are the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth, Texas, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and The Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York.
“Taking the Smithsonian beyond the National Mall is critical to our mission,” said Myriam Springuel, interim director of Smithsonian Affiliations. “The five Affiliate partners in the Council’s second cohort are incredibly strong advocates for their own youth programs.”
The Upcountry History Museum is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or visit www.upcountryhistory.org.
