By Kimberly McClure, Archivist, South Carolina Department of Archives and History
For almost 20 years, the South Carolina Archival Association has been bringing together archives professionals and others interested in the preservation of the state’s records. Every year, we offer workshops and the annual conference where we can come together and learn from our peers. But the annual Summer Social offers us the unique chance to let our hair down, have a little fun, and enjoy a day of connecting with our colleagues from across the state. And it’s for a good cause too!
In 2002, the executive board established the Darrick L. Hart Scholarship Fund to honor a SCAA charter member and Conservation Specialists at the University of South Carolina Conservation Lab who passed away that year. Funds raised from the Summer Social are designated for these scholarships which are awarded to current SCAA members to help offset the costs associated with attending professional meetings and workshops.
This year’s Summer Social was held in beautiful Conway, South Carolina. Our group met for lunch at Rivertown Bistro where we caught up with our colleagues and discussed some of the major issues we were each facing at our respective institutions.
After a pleasant meal, we headed to the Horry County Museum for a tour led by Education Specialist, Marion Haynes. In addition to the well-crafted exhibits and the famous fish tank, we had the opportunity to tour the storage spaces, processing rooms, exhibit preparation areas, and of course, the archives. Marion offered an interesting perspective on working in a small archive and the challenges that brings – primarily the handling of donations that don’t fit their scope of collections and the lack of sufficient storage space.
Bad weather prevented a trip to the L.W. Paul Living History Farm, a part of the Horry County Museum, but our spirits weren’t dampened. All in all, the day was a success and I, for one, left with a store of knowledge to put to use in my own agency. A special thanks to Walter Hill and Marion Haynes of the Horry County Museum for graciously hosting us this year.
If you are interested in applying for the scholarship, visit the Hart Endowment page on the SCAA website for more information.