Fort Mill History Museum Summer 2020 Newsletter

Volume 4, Issue 1 - Summer Edition | 2020

Hello Everyone,

As I sit here writing this note from my kitchen table during this COVID-19 Pandemic all I can think about is how big this will be in the history books one day. Or maybe I should say on the internet. The museum closed it’s doors on March 14 ^th 2020 and everyday has been a challenge since then. We are sad not to be able to see our daily volunteers, participate in the Strawberry Festival, welcome our visitors, hold events and more. But we are a resilient bunch and we are turning lemons into lemonade and are going to come out stronger after COVID-19 is gone.

We have been extremely busy during the closing by working on grants, reaching out to sponsors, seeking new and creative funding, updating the museum’s structure and board, doing yard work, and so much more. COVID-19 has been a challenge for the museum but we will not let the virus win.

To date the museum has plans to open on July 31 ^st. For the month of August we will only be open on Fridays and Saturdays. Our top priority during this pandemic is the safety of our volunteers and visitors. A current plan is being developed to ensure that the museum is following CDC guidelines, state regulations and taking every precaution to keep our visitors and volunteers safe.

Thank you for the support that you give. We need you and look forward to the day that we can see you back at the museum. Now, GO MAKE HISTORY!

Christia Humburg

Executive Director

George Fish School has been recognized as a significant part of South Carolina history by being awarded an Official South Carolina Historical Marker. The designation honors George Fish School, a Rosenwald School, as an important and educational part of local history. “The school served as the center of the Paradise neighborhood in educational, athletic, and social activities and was the pulse of the African American community during that time. More importantly, the impact of the school’s role in developing and preparing generations of students for the future is impossible to measure,” said Dr. James “Chuck” Epps, Superintendent of the Fort Mill School District, Sponsor of the Historical Marker. An unveiling ceremony was scheduled for late March 2020 however due to Covid-19, it will be rescheduled for a later date. The George Fish School Historical Marker is the first historical marker in Fort Mill celebrating the history and education of African Americans.

Rebecca Studer, a 2020 graduate of Nation Ford High School, recently conducted an extensive history research project by interviewing alumni and faculty of George Fish School. Under the guidance of the George Fish Historic Marker Committee, Rebecca is developing a video about the desegregation and integration of George Fish School as part of her community service as she seeks to earn her Girl Scout Gold Award. Rudy Sanders a passionate leader of the George Fish Historic Marker Committee and outstanding volunteer of FMHM has helped guide Rebecca's path of her documentation of the oral history and significance of the George Fish School. In working together, the two have become good friends as they share an enthusiastic duty to carry on the tradition of Fort Mill's history.These interviews captured how important George Fish School was to many in this community and will provide valuable research material for future generations.

The George Fish Historic Marker Committee and Fort Mill History Museum would like to thank Rebecca for her tremendous effort in facilitating the interviews and collecting the cherished videos. We all wish her the best of luck as she continues her education this fall at Clemson University.

Click here fo r more information.

Fort Mill History Museum would like to recognize one of our outstanding volunteers, Mary Sue Wolfe. Before COVID-19, Mary Sue would volunteer at the museum every Friday morning. She knows a lot about Fort Mill’s history and loves sharing it with museum visitors, especially the school children. One of her favorite things is to read to school groups from “Tom Spratt and the Redcoats,” a story about one of her early York County ancestors who lived during the American Revolution.

One of her earliest memories is of the immigrant workers from the McNinch Brickyard in the Grattan community (Brickyard Road) stopping in front of her house to listen to her play the piano. She said they told her they enjoyed hearing her play and that they missed hearing music. Very few people remember the small community two miles south of Fort Mill known as Grattan.

Mary Sue was born on June 14, 1927, in the same house she lives in now at the age of 93. She graduated from Winthrop with a Secretarial degree. Shortly after a few jobs in Charlotte and riding back and forth on the bus, at the age of 25, she began working at Springs Industries as an Executive Secretary. She married Robert Wolfe at age 48 in her home that became their home, along with her stepson Chris who she helped raise. Her husband owned Wolfe Funeral home, and she eventually retired in 1990.

Besides sharing her passion of Fort Mill’s history, Mary Sue also enjoys working in the garden that she shares with her best friend Kay Dabney. They have been friends since 1956 when they first met while working at Springs Industries. They still work together by volunteering at the museum. Since the museum closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they enjoy sitting on Mary Sue's back porch eating ice cream and telling stories while maintaining social distance.

We look forward to opening the museum and hearing more stories from Mary Sue.

Hello, I'm David Ward, a member of the Fort Mill History Museum Board of Directors and a Fort Mill original. I’ve lived my entire life in this great town. I’m thankful and proud to be a third generation Fort Millian who loves to brag about our town.

I’d like to welcome you as a member of the Fort Mill History Museum regardless if you’ve been here longer than me, a new arrival, or somewhere in between. Fort Mill is a unique place that is the epitome of Southern charm and grace. I have been blessed to have traveled a lot, so I’ve seen many other places and I’ve never found a place better than Fort Mill. I’m sure everyone has an affinity for their hometown, I’m glad the Lord blessed me with allowing Fort Mill to be mine. One observation I have made from visiting other places is the different degrees of appreciation people express for where they live. I’ve seen communities that don’t care about their surroundings and never take ownership while others, like yours truly, who are very appreciative of their town. The latter ones have a greater majority of communities that are willing to help others, explore their history, and seek new paths.

So even during these trying times, get involved with your community, learn something new, and find out about who came before you and there is no better place to do all three than your Fort Mill History Museum.

David Ward, Jr.

Chairman-Fort Mill History Museum

Did you know, Fort Mill’s first night club, the Susy-Q, opened at Nims Lake on May 2, 1939. M.G. Rogers, Jr., manager, stated that guests danced to the music of Oswald Tukes

and his 10-piece collegiate swing band with prizes awarded

to the best “jitterbugs.”

We need you to jump on board at the museum to help by volunteering for one of these vital positions. If you have an interest in one of these, please contact Christia Humburg at [email protected] for more information.

i. History Research Team Lead

ii. Sept Shrimp Bowl Event Lead

iii. Exhibits/Presentations Committee Lead

iv. Historic Homes Lead

v. Events & Program Coordinator

vi. Communications Coordinator

vii. Training Coordinator

viii. Technology Committee Lead