Sarah Wooton, Chief Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, SC Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Phone: 803 737-8094, Fax: 803 737-8099 and email: swooton@crr.sc.gov.

TET: MILITARY VICTORY, POLITICAL DEFEAT, South Carolina State Museum, Columbia. This exhibit, marking the 40th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, explores the turbulent events, both overseas and on the homefront, surrounding the biggest single battle of the Vietnam War. Even though the TET exhibit was opened on January 31, 2008, several items and features have been added to it to enhance the guest experience. A free cell-phone tour was added in October. Consisting of four descriptive monologs and a dramatic reenactment of an actual event that happened during TET involving a “dust-off,” a medical evacuation mission to save a badly wounded medic of an infantry unit under fire, it is an exciting new aspect of the exhibit. Continues through January 25, 2009.

MUD, SWEAT, AND CHEERS: FOOTBALL IN THE PALMETTO STATE, SC STATE MUSEUM, COLUMBIA. This exhibit is a historical survey of the origin and evolution of the game of football in South Carolina. Beginning with the first recorded game in the state, Wofford vs. Furman, in December, 1889, it follows how teams began and flourished at other colleges in the state. The exhibit follows some selected high school teams from different regions of the state. Using photographs, artifacts and film clips the show is divided into two major sections, 1889 – 1949, and 1950 – 2000, with some overlap into 2006. Relying primarily on loans from colleges and high schools across the state, the exhibit provides the guest with tangible pieces of football history in a broad geographical reach not previously attempted. Continues through February 8, 2009.

LEONARDO DA VINCI: MACHINES IN MOTION: SC STATE MUSEUM, COLUMBIA. Arguably one of the most attractive exhibits ever held at the State Museum, Leonardo illustrates the genius of this inventor, painter, and thinker, who was perhaps 400 years ahead of his time. Numerous models, many interactive, provide the guest with the opportunity to marvel at the genius of the man who painted the Mona Lisa. Among his far-sighted inventions were the parachute, the tank, the machine gun, ball bearings, and wings. Continues through January 4, 2009 with a possible extension.


THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MUSEUM: TWENTY YEARS OF TREASURES, SC STATE MUSEUM, COLUMBIA. As part of the celebration of the State Museum’s 20th Anniversary, this exhibit includes one specimen or artifact from each of the 46 counties in the state. Additionally, each Curator was asked to choose one object that had not previously been on exhibit that represents a unique and interesting part of the collection. Artifacts range from a 1970’s Clemson band uniform to an 1825 handmade cradle from Aiken County. One benefit from the selection process was the identification of areas of the state that were under-represented in the collections, which will help the Collections staff to focus efforts to bring more balance and refinement to the growing collection. Continues through March 29, 2009.


ROBERT COURTRIGHT, SC State Museum, Columbia. Robert Courtright, a Sumter, South Carolina native, is internationally recognized as one of the most important contemporary artists from South Carolina and New York. Currently residing in France, his paper collage works and mask series continues to be exhibited regularly in New York City and throughout Europe. Despite his huge success there has never been a major, full-scale exhibition focusing on the broad range of the collages by this artist in his home state. Courtright was also the focus of the University of South Carolina’s Atelier program in 2007, and the State Museum will be working collaboratively with the University in this huge project. The exhibit will be open February 20 – August 23, 2009.


OUR NATIONAL TREASURE: THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, SC State Museum, Columbia. This exhibit is a joint venture between the South Carolina State Museum and the American Red Cross, and was designed to illustrate the fine work done by this organization since its inception. The exhibit will display a number of artifacts provided by the Red Cross, most never before seen publicly. The exhibit will be open from March 6 through June 2009.


SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN IN HISTORY, 1700 – 2006: SC State Museum, Columbia. Still in its developmental stages, this exhibit will examine the contributions of women to South Carolina’s history from colonial times to the present. Currently 100 women from various professions have been identified for selection. They include professions ranging from visual arts and performing arts to the military, social action, education, and the sciences. Using video, hands-on computers, and artifacts this show will briefly review the biographies of each woman and the important role she played in her era to contribute to society and the difference she made. The exhibit will be open March 27 through October 25, 2009.


Forgotten Stories: South Carolina Fights the Great War, South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum, Columbia. This exhibit features South Carolinians’ experiences on the Western Front during World War I. Its part of an IMLS grant-funded project Forward Together: SC in WWI. It continues through December 6, 2009. Visit www.crr.sc.gov for more information. Admission $4 Adults, under 21 years old free.


Eye to the East: The Robert Y. Turner Collection of Chinese Art, Columbia Museum of Art, December 18, 2008 – February 8, 2009. Information www.columbiamuseum.org


Carrying the State, McKissick Museum, Columbia. Explores the role SC has had in Presidential elections and discusses the evolution and methods of the voting process. September 13, 2008 – January 24, 2009. Information www.cas.sc.edu/Mcks/ or 803.777.7251.

Christmas in the Backcountry, Price House, Woodruff, SC. Come see the simple decorations used by the Prices in the early 19th Century. Guided tours are offered on the hour from 11 am till 4 pm. Tour the grounds at your leisure and enjoy simple refreshments of the period. Date(s): December 6, 2008 Times: 11:00-5:00
Admission: Adults $4; Ages 6-17 $2.50; Ages 0-5 Free
Contact info: Becky Slayton (864)576-6546 o; pricehouse@spartanburghistory.org


Christmas on the Plantation, Walnut Grove Plantation, Roebuck, SC . Come see the simple decorations used by the Moores in the late 18th Century. Guided tours are offered on the hour from 11 am till 4 pm. Tour the grounds at your leisure and enjoy simple refreshments of the period. Date(s): December 13, 2008 Times: 11:00-5:00
Admission: Adults $6; Ages 6-17 $3; Ages 0-5 Free
Contact info: Becky Slayton (864)576-6546 o; walnutgrove@spartanburghistory.org


Grass Roots, The Gibbes Museum of Art. Through the story of the beautiful coiled basket, Grass Roots explores the history of the southeastern United States and demonstrates the enduring contribution of African people and culture to American life. This exhibition is organized by the Museum of African Art, New York, in cooperation with the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston and the McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. Information www.gibbesmuseum.org


River Docs, Museum of York County, Rock Hill, is a year-long documentation project inspired by the Catawba River featuring fine art photography and fabric installation, interactive digital media, community interviews, and countless submissions to the exhibition website at www.catawbariverdocs.com . Information www.chmuseums.org


Pickens County Museum, Pickens, SC. “Critters: Animals, Nature and Man” An exhibition of Animals in Art divided into the categories, ‘Zoomorphic’, ‘Call of the Wild’ and ‘Pets’. Runs December 6, 2008 – February 7, 2009
Feb. 28 – March 26, 2009: Pickens County Youth Arts 2009
April 18 – June 11, 2009: 30th Annual Juried SC Artists Exhibition
June 27 – August 27, 2009: Three Upcountry Watercolorists, featuring Dale Cochran, Lynn Greer and Russell Jewell.


The Upcountry History Museum at Heritage Green in downtown Greenville will host the 2nd annual Veterans’ Day tribute ceremony on Saturday, November 8th at 10AM. The ceremony will include a junior ROTC color guard and patriotic music. The ceremony will be followed by a panel discussion with World War II veterans and showings of the national award winning documentary on upcountry SC during WWII, "Threads of Victory." All veterans and active duty military will receive free admission to the museum on Saturday, November 8th and Sunday, November 9th. For more information please call 864-467-3100.

From June 12, 2008 – February 28, 2009 The Charleston Museum presents an original exhibition to commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the International Slave trade in the United States and the British Empire. From Slave to Sharecropper: African Americans in the Lowcountry after the Civil War is centered around the recollections and memories of Lowcountry descendants of slaves and sharecroppers. The exhibit includes artifacts and images of African American experiences in the Lowcountry after the Civil War from the Museum’s collection.

Since its founding in 1773, The Charleston Museum has collected artifacts and specimens from far beyond the South Carolina Lowcountry. The Museum is now able to share these exotic items with young visitors in a new exhibit called "Around the World." This exhibit is part of the rotating exhibit series in Kidstory, the Museum's hands-on exhibit for children. "Around the World" looks at China and Japan (January 21- May 20), the Indian Subcontinent (May 22 - August 26), and Mexico and the Caribbean (August 28 - December 31, 2008). Each exhibit features toys and games from the area as well as children's clothing. The Museum's education department will offer special family programming throughout the summer and fall.

The Charleston Museum presents an original mini-exhibition called Bustles, Bicycles and Ballgowns: Beginnings of Change in Late 19th Century Clothing. Bicycles prompted a change in clothing and less restrictive undergarments. Late 19th century women could go out on their bicycles unchaperoned for the first time because it was deemed acceptable as exercise. The bustle emerged during this era and proved to be more versatile than the hoop skirt. This freedom of movement was a major factor in the increasing number of women in the workplace. Bustles, Bicycles and Ballgowns offers a full range of garments, accessories and even equipment from late 19th century Charleston. In addition to women's undergarments, walking clothing and formal attire, guests will see an 1890s bicycle, typewriter and shorthand machine. The exhibit also features a try-on station complete with a period-appropriate corset, bustle, and drawers.