The historic Bedon-Lucas House served as the backdrop for the exhibit opening of "Walterboro: Celebrating 200 Years," a display honoring the history of our community.
Developed under the guidance of Dr. Sarah Miller, students from USC Salkehatchie’s History 214: Introduction to Public History course stepped into the roles of professional curators. The project represents research into the history of several Walterboro mainstays, translating academic study into a public celebration.
Nearly 75 guests attended the opening, exploring a diverse range of narratives-from the architectural significance of the iconic Walterboro Watertower to the poignant history of the Live Oak African American Cemetery.
"This exhibit is a testament to the power of experiential learning," said Dr. Sarah Miller. "Our students didn't just study history; they did history, bridging the gap between the classroom and the local legacies we walk past every day."
The Curators and Their Collections
The exhibit features specialized research conducted by seven student-curators, each focusing on a pillar of Colleton County history:
- Caleb Barsha: The Little Library
- Jack Broderick: The Colleton County Court House
- Jyquarius Gladden: The Colleton Civic Center
- Sebastian Kramar: The Walterboro Watertower
- Dixie Langdale: Live Oak African American Cemetery
- Ethan McCoy: The Colleton County Rice Festival
- Liam Phillips: The Albert House
A Collaborative Effort
The success of the "Walterboro: Celebrating 200 Years" exhibit was made possible through a partnership between USC Salkehatchie, the City of Walterboro and the Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society.
The project was partially funded by USC’s Center of Integrated and Experiential Learning through an Experiential Learning Rolling Grant, highlighting a commitment to providing students with hands-on professional opportunities that benefit the public.