Sumter Museum hosts new exhibit 'Forest to Furniture: Exploring the History of South Carolina's Wood Products' with opening event Jan. 23

Sumter Museum will open the University of South Carolina's traveling exhibit, "Forest to Furniture: Exploring the History of South Carolina's Wood Products," with a reception at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23. The event, which is open to the public, will feature a talk by Dr. Jessica Elfenbein, University of South Carolina professor, History Department chair and Wood Basket project lead.

According to a news release from the museum, "Forest to Furniture examines the hidden-in-plain-sight stories of furniture and other wood products manufactured in the Palmetto State, particularly in Sumter with companies such as Williams Furniture. Visitors will learn the rich and complicated history of lumber, wood products and forest conservation in South Carolina from the late 19th century to the current day. Aided by research by USC students, the exhibit was guest curated by Lynn Robertson, former longtime McKissick Museum director, and is supplemented with artifacts from the Sumter Museum collection."

The exhibit is part of USC's ongoing Wood Basket project examining lumbering, manufacturing and conservation of South Carolina's forests. This project includes a major conference in 2023, an anthology to be published by USC Press in 2025, an oral history project and the digitization of Sumter Museum's Williams Furniture collection available online at https://tinyurl.com/y4ctpduf.

The reception will include refreshments and an opportunity to view the exhibit. The program will begin in the museum's McKenzie Hall in the Heritage Education Center before proceeding to the top floor of Williams Brice House for viewing of the exhibit.

The exhibit will be available for viewing Jan. 23 to April 26 in Sumter Museum's Williams Brice House on the museum's main campus, 122 N. Washington St., during operating hours of Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. Admission fees are $5 for adults, $2 for students (6-17) and seniors (65+) and free for ages 5 and under. Sumter Museum members receive free admission to any museum facility.

Learn more about the opening event and exhibit on the museum's website, www.SumterMuseum.org, or call (803) 775-0908.