Laurens County Museum

History:

In March of 2005, James Gambrell visited former Mayor Sharon Brownlee to share with her his vision for a Laurens County Museum. They decided to put an announcement in the Laurens Advertiser for a meeting to be held on March 24, 2005 at the Laurens County Library. A large and enthusiastic crowd attended that first meeting and the Laurens County Museum Association began. The next meeting, on April 8, 2005, the group appointed officers as follows: James Gambrell- President, Kathy Crotts- Vice President, Jane Corn- Secretary, and Carol Senn- Treasurer. In the months that followed more meetings were held, visits to other local county museums occurred and various working committees were formed. The Laurens County Museum Association was officially organized as a South Carolina non- profit corporation on April 26, 2005, then on September 5, 2005 the IRS officially recognized it as a 501 (c)(3) non profit. On September 26, 2006, The Woodmen of the World, Lodge no. 98 sold its building on West Laurens Street to The Museum Association. The members were extremely gracious in their collaboration with the Museum to make the property an affordable and do-able undertaking. The building required some renovations. Board secretary, Jane Corn, obtained a grant for $125,000 which was used for these renovations. Others also gave their time and expertise at reduced or no cost, such as contractor John Kerber, contractor Tommy Thompson and HVAC engineer Martin Lowry. When the work was done, The City of Laurens issued a certificate of occupancy and the Laurens County Museum became a place and not just a name.