Please note that curators cannot appraise the value objects.
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You Asked the Curator -- and We Answered!
Laura Kirk from Lee State Natural Area, Bishopville asked:
Who does the museum's taxidermy? Do you have different taxidermists for mammals and birds?
Many of the taxidermied birds, mammals, and snakes that are in the State Museum collection are relatively old, dating back to the beginnings of the Museum collection in the mid-1970's. We have had little taxidermied since that time, although several taxidermied specimens have been donated to us.
It would depend on the source of the specimen as to who would do the work. If I were to get a call about a specimen from the upstate I would ask the potential donor if there is someone in their area who might be able to do the work for a tax deduction.
Mammals are not a problem to have done, but birds are. Nearly all birds that occur in South Carolina, less the game species, are covered under one or several national laws as to possession. Most taxidermy specialists do not have the necessary permits to possess a particular bird species. For this reason we have not had many done over the last few years.
I hope this answers your question.
Jim Knight
Beth from Columbia, SC asked:
I was just in Washington DC and came across a fantastic exhibit at the Smithsonian. I think it would be a delightful addition to our area... how does this work?
The State Museum’s exhibitions committee (Education, Programs, Marketing, Exhibits the different curators, etc.) all provide input, feedback and make decisions about non-South Carolina themed exhibits. Our permanent exhibits feature SC, but our changing exhibits can bring the world to SC. The months the exhibit is available and our audience seasonal impact gets factored in to such exhibit decision making, too. One last factor is cost. Some great exhibits are out there, but cost too much.
Michael Fey
Director of Exhibits
Deborah from Spartanburg asked:
I was curious why the film "Flatliners" with Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, and William Baldwin was not included in the new "Hollywood Comes to South Carolina" exhibit. It was filmed in Spartanburg in the old TB hospital.
I can only surmise that this film was not included because there are so many produced in this state. We could not include everyone so we had to make a selection.
Sorry that we could not include all films.
Fritz Hamer
Chief Curator of History
Robert Weaver from Shaw AFB asked:
I have a blue green bottle with SC Dispensary with a palmetto tree on it. I have only been able to obtain limited info online about. Could you help me? I can e-mail pix if you can tell me where to send it.
You might be served to find Harvey
Teal’s recent study of the dispensary that has a lot about bottles in it. You
should be able to get it through your local library. I don’t have the exact
title of this book but it came out in 2006, as I recall.
Fritz
Hamer
Chief Curator of
History
*Books about the South Carolina Dispensary are available in the Cotton Mill Exchange. Call (803) 898-4967 for more information.
Chip from Thomasville, GA asked:
I'm writing a biography of William Moultrie. Do you have the headgear of either the 1st or 2nd Regiment of the S.C. Continental Line?
In reply to your question we have a reproduction of the 2nd regiment cover. We do not have anything original from the regiment except for the blue color presented to the 2nd regiment a few days after the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.
Fritz Hamer
Chief Curator of History
Elizabeth from Cayce asked:
I'm doing a project for a museum studies class at USC. I was wondering when the two 1907 "boxhead" model Fales & Jenks spinning frames were acquired, and if that was through gift or purchase.
In answer to your "ask a curator" question, the two spinning frames were added to the museum's collection in 1986 as a gift.
Michelle Baker
Chief Registrar
Kim from Bennettsville, SC asked:
Will the dinosaur exhibit ever come back to the SC State Museum? I was able to see it a few years back and would love to take my children to see the exhibit.
We have done 3 different dinosaur exhibits since we started displaying special “blockbuster” type exhibits in 1996.
They have all been very popular, so I am sure we’ll probably do another one sometime in the future, but our exhibit development team hasn’t decided on any dinosaurs for at least a year.
Lisa from Myrtle Beach asked:
With all of the wonderful artists in SC, why is there one artist's work in the Cotton Exchange and everything else MADE IN CHINA?
We try to obtain handmade items from artists throughout the state. Currently there are eight potters represented in our museum store. We have pottery from 3 Columbia potters, 3 Greenville potters, one Landrum potter, and one Pendleton potter. In addition to that we have hand cut and painted gourds from an artist in Blythwood,SC. Also we have sculpture like dolls made by an artist from Daniel Island, SC. Currently we have sweet grass baskets from 2 artists in the Charleston area.
The items that are made in China are souvenir items that many of our tourists desire. We are able to sell them at fairly low prices as they are mass produced.
Scottie Ash
Director of Revenue
Cotton Mill Exchange
Ashley from Rock Hill SC asked:
I understand you have an Anderson car, built in Rock Hill, in your collection. Do you also have an Anderson buggy?
Greetings:
Yes, we have an Anderson buggy in our collection. It is not currently on exhibition.
Fritz Hamer
Chief Curator of History
SC State Museum
Rosemary from Columbia, Maryland asked:
I am conducting research on African-American cemeteries in suburban Washington, DC, dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I am interested in reviewing a publication on a South CArolina State Museum exhibition, The Last Miles of the Way: African-American Homegoing Traditions, 1890-Present, that is referenced in many bibliographies related to African-American burial ground preservation. How many I obtain a copy? Thank you.
Dear Rosemary,
Thank you for your request for a copy of the catalogue, The Last Miles of the Way. It was published in conjunction with an exhibit of the same title and can be purchased in our store, for $10 plus ($5) shipping and handling.
The Cotton Mill Exchange,
SCSM
P.O. Box 100107
Columbia, SC 29202-3107.
* SC residents must add 7% sales tax
Thanks.
Elaine Nichols
Curator of History
Jacquelyn Galphin from Savannah Georgia asked:
I am trying to locate Fritz Hamer and find information out about George Galphin and Silver Bluff Plantation. Any suggestions would be very helpful.
Jacquelyn Galphin Mesco
Ms. Mesco:
I understand you are seeking information about Galphin. What would you like to know? You had mentioned his Silver Bluff plantation. We know just a few things about it but if you can give me specific questions I’ll try to answer them as best as I can.
Tori from Taylors, South Carolina asked:
I heard that the museum had an Egypt exhibit going on. Is this true?
Thank you for your inquiry to the South Carolina State Museum.
We invite you to visit our 20th Anniversary Juried Art Exhibition beginning April 25. This exclusive juried art show
will showcase nearly 1,000 pieces of contemporary art from South Carolina artists.