Specialties
The Florence County Museum showcases over 140 works representing 20th-century Southern art, along with works by Florence native, William H. Johnson. Through a range of exhibitions, studios, lectures and family programming, the FCM provides visitors of all ages an educational experience. The Pee Dee History Gallery is home to Native American and Colonial period artifacts as well as Civil War items from the Florence Stockade prison camp and Confederate Naval Yard. Natural sciences exhibits explore regional themes such as the formation of and biodiversity in the Great Pee Dee River. Temporary exhibits also are included.
History
Established in 1936.
In September of 2008, Florence County Council established the Florence County Museum Board. This board was established in response to a 3:1 match of funding made available through the State of South Carolina. The Florence County Museum Board is made up of nine members, who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of County Council (one member from each County District).
Thanks to the generosity of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation and Florence County, allocated funding was secured for the purpose of constructing a Florence County Museum facility.
In 2009, Florence County contracted with Watson Tate Savory along with associate design architect, Cooper Robertson and Partners to design a building for the corner of Cheves and Dargan Streets. The Florence County Museum facility is designed to address the past, present, and future of Florence County; its unique relationships with the Pee Dee region, the state of South Carolina, and the world.
Meet the Manager: Andrew S.
Andrew R. Stout was raised on a small farm in rural Sauk County, Wisconsin. A serendipitous move to Florence, South Carolina in 1999 led him to Francis Marion University where he received his B.S. in Art Education and his M.Ed. in Instructional Accommodation, with a focus on teaching children of poverty. Andrew began his museum career as the Curator of Collections and Education for the Florence Museum in 2000 and his teaching career at Florence County School District Five in 2003 as an Arts Educator. He later became the Executive Director of the Florence County Museum in 2006 where he began working with local foundations and government entities to secure funding for the construction of a new museum facility. As the museum director, Andrew serves as a liaison between the Wright Foundation of Southern Art, Florence County Museum Board, Florence Museum Foundation and Florence County Council.