The Anderson County Museum is celebrating its 30th Birthday on Tuesday (Oct. 22). The celebration will begin at 6 p.m. with the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This is the 11th year the Advisory Committee of the museum has inducted deserving individuals into the ACM Hall of Fame. Barnard Elliott Bee, Jr. and Claude Richard “Red” Canup are the class of 2013.
“We are extremely proud of our accomplishments over the years, said Executive Director Beverly Childs. Going from a small space in the Historic Courthouse to a 12,000 plus square-foot-gallery was a huge undertaking. As the keeper of Anderson County history, ACM showcases a plethora of real artifacts conveying real history in a real museum setting. We want to share the excitement of these accomplishments and hope the public will join us for the festivities.”
“Each year, our Hall of Fame Committee reviews the submitted applications and selects individuals whose accomplishments and contributions make them worthy of this recognition, said Advisory Committee Chair Donna Roper. Both Bee and Canup are military men who lived a life of integrity and service to their country and fellow man.” Following the Induction Ceremony will be the Hall of Fame Reception.
At 7 p.m. the museum will launch their World War II Book “A Necessary War: Anderson County Residents Remember World War II.” Written by Kathryn Smith, the book contains the World War II experiences of twenty county residents and includes the stories of veterans as well as civilians who supported the war effort in 1941-45. The book will sell for $20 in the museum store and begins the fundraising for the expansion of the current military exhibit Keep the Home Fires Burning. Kathryn Smith and most of the twenty honorees in the book will be on hand to sign copies.
Following the book launch, the Friends Board of the ACM will sponsor the 30th Birthday Cupcake and Champagne Party. “The public is invited to celebrate with us, Friends Board President Donna deHoll remarked. We hope all of our supporters will attend and see the remarkable work we have done over the past 30 years.”
The Hall of Fame ceremony, reception and the 30th birthday celebration are free and open to the public. Applications are now available for the 2014 Hall of Fame at the ACM or on the ACM Website www.andersoncountymuseum.org<http://www.andersoncountymuseum.org>.
The Anderson County Museum is at 202 East Greenville Street, in downtown Anderson. The Fred Whitten Gallery and Museum store hours are Tuesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Reading and Research Room is open 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and by appointment with the Curator. ACM is handicap accessible and admission is free. Donations are always welcome. For more information, contact the Museum at (864) 260-4737.
