Volume 4, Issue 3 - Winter Edition | 2020 |
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Happy Birthday Fort Mill History Museum
Ten Years and Counting
Wow! The Fort Mill History Museum turned ten years young on October 26, 2020 which is the date the state of South Carolina recognized the museum as a non-profit corporation. There was a lot of energy expended by many Fort Mill folks to make the museum a reality. To celebrate our decade, the following pictures were assembled commemorating the three locations the museum has resided.
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On October 27, 2011, the Fort Mill History Museum observed an official ribbon cutting and opening of its new office and gift shop located at 118 Main Street.
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On December 6, 2012 the Fort Mill History Museum officially opened to the public at its new location at 310 N. White Street with exhibits on textiles, the Catawba Indians’ pottery tradition, a local history and genealogy room, an education gallery of local artist works interpreting Fort Mill’s history time-line and a gift shop that included works of art by local artists and other SC gift items. |
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The Fort Mill History Museum moved from 310 N. White Street on July 15, 2015 to the current location in the historic Wilson House at 107 Clebourne Street. The official ribbon cutting and grand re-opening of the museum was held on November 18, 2015. |
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Happy Birthday Everyone and Looking Forward to
the Next 100 Years!
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2020 Christmas
Ornament is Available!!
Remembering The Joy of Nims Lake.
This years ornament is a representaion of Nims Lake where Fort Mill folks enjoyed swimming, picnicking, fishing and dancing in the 1930's and 1940's.
The metal ornament displays a picture on the front and back of Nims Lake and includes a history card and pouch for only $18. Makes a great gift for friends and family. See article below on Nims Lake history. Ornament supply is limited.
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Fort Mill History Museum would like to recognize one of our outstanding volunteers, Tony McMehan.
Have you ever looked at a beautiful photograph or an engaging video to take a moment and move beyond what you are viewing, to think of the person that created the photograph or video? Our focus and awareness are predominantly on the creation before us with little to any thought given to the individual who compiled the exquisite work. It is a privilege to recognize a person that I rank as one of the best at creating these striking arrangements and shine the Fort Mill History Museum’s Volunteer Spotlight on, Tony McMehan.
Tony is a Fort Mill original having been born and raised in our community and has worked at the CBS-affiliated television station WBTV for over forty-five years. He is the person behind many scenes that make other people, events, or activities look tremendous. He is a true artist who will meticulously work at getting the best shot to ensure quality and effectiveness. He is the cinematographer for the Town of Fort Mill capturing town council meetings and town holiday celebrations. These productions serve a two-fold purpose. They first provide a communication venue which allows people to view and virtually engage in the event or exchange of information in a timely manner.
The second purpose, which from a historian’s point of view is especially important, is these photographs or videos capture historical events happening today. By having photographs and videos of these activities, our children, grandchildren, and others will be able to experience Fort Mill’s past in a vivid and personal format. Recently Tony has volunteered a countless amount of time capturing videos of Fort Mill residents for posterity and future research.
The Fort Mill History Museum would like to thank Tony for his unwavering attention to detail, his commitment and service to the museum and community, and for capturing our history in an excellent and everlasting format. Great job and congratulations Tony!
David Ward, Jr.
Fort Mill History Museum Volunteer Committee
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Reflections of the Old Days at Nims Lake |
Nims Lake sits placidly, its banks surrounded by encroaching houses. In its time, however it was the happening place in Fort Mill. The sounds of laughter and music filled the air as families. crowded its banks to swim and picnic and dance.
In the early 1940s, members of the Nims family decided to open the farm lake as a public recreation area. The family built a bath house, a dance hall, a pier into the lake. There were three floats in the water, one with a three-story diving tower. For the little rural town of Fort Mill, with no swimming pool or dance venue, it became the place to be. Area residents crowded the lake to swim and fish on hot summer days. Cars were scarce for teenagers in the forties so Fort Mill teens would often load into a farm wagon for an afternoon of swimming and an evening of dancing.
At night, the atmosphere changed as the lights came on in the dance pavilion and the sounds of the big bands drew dancers out on the floor. It was all the fun a person could have for 25 cents admission. As Fort Mill boys went off to World War II, the complexion of the lake changed. The swimmers were often women with children and the dances were less crowded due to a shortage of men.
As the soldier boys came home for leave, Nims Lake welcomed them as the place to take the patient girls who awaited their return. Only after the fighting ended overseas did the crowds fully come back to the dance floor. After all, every returning soldier had to have his very own victory dance.
The 1950s spelled the end for Nims Lake’s popularity as Springs built a public swimming pool and dances moved indoors to lodges and clubhouses. The buildings at the lake fell into disuse and eventually collapsed on themselves as nature reclaimed the lake edge.
All evidence of the buildings has disappeard and most of the dancers are no longer with us but the tales they told resonate through their family stories.
Mike Hill
Fort Mill History Museum Research Team
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Did you know The first time Christmas lights were strung across Main Street was in December 1937, Fort Mill’s first Christmas Parade was held on Tuesday December 16, 1947, and a Big Christmas Tree was placed at the top of Main Street in December 1955. - (Source Fort Mill Times 12/9/1937, 12/18/1947, 12/8/1955)
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“Time flies when you are having fun!” That is what has happened to me over the last three years serving on the FMHM board. When I was approached to be on the board, I was surprised because I knew nothing about history and wasn’t sure how I could help. It turns out that the museum has taught me so much about appreciating history and the importance of preserving history.
The Museum is so much more than just a yellow house with cool exhibits. Their outreach into the community and schools to teach about our history is so special. I have never been to a local museum that cares so much about its history. I found myself constantly asking people, “Have you been to The Fort Mill History Museum?”. Fort Mill is so fortunate to have this little gem.
The museum keeps ticking along by soliciting funds from individuals and businesses every year. It is not an easy process. Creativity is important and I have used mine to help the museum. I would like to thank The Crossings for partnering with me and selling SC pottery plates and ornaments (that I made 😊). The monies raised from those sales have gone to help the museum literally “keep their lights on”.
Although my term on the board is coming to an end, I will still help the museum to achieve its goals in other ways. I will continue to pester my friends about joining the museum, buying tickets to events and enjoying all the museum has to offer. Oh by the way…don’t forget to go and buy the annual FMHM Christmas Ornament!!
Pamela Caywood
Fort Mill History Museum Board of Directors
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Textile Terry finds love in 2020!!
Textile Terry and Textile Tammy represented the Fort Mill History Museum in the 6th Annual Scarecrow Crawl sponsored by the Town of Fort Mill. This year Madison Martin, a teacher at Catawba Ridge High School and her students created Textile Tammy to acompany Textile Terry on Main St. to greet friends and family.
Fort Mill History Museum appreciates this partnership with Catawba Ridge High School and we look forward to building on this concept and other projects in the future.
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A small grant was recently received from the Arts Council of York County on a video project that the museum is currently working on. Please see below the organizations that are responsible for this funding.
Support for this project is provided by the Arts Council of York County Small Grants Program, the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC, Comporium Communications, and the SC Arts Commission, which received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Fort Mill History Museum
107 Clebourne Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Located in the Fort Mill Historic District
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The Fort Mill History Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Support for this project is provided by the Town of Fort Mill Accommodations Tax ,
York County Hospitality & Accommodations Tax , SCPRT TAG, & FMHM members and donors.
For visitors information including lodging, contact Visit York County at 803-329-5200.
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