Mission Statement
The Olympia-Granby Historical Foundation was established in 2014 to create the Olympia Mill Village Museum to preserve the rich history and culture of this unique place. The foundation’s mission is to share our story and to promote activities within the Olympia and Granby Mill Villages that will enhance the lives of the people living in those communities
About the Olympia Mill Village Museum
The Olympia-Granby Historical Foundation is made up of people who either grew up in the mill villages, or they have strong ties because their parents and/or grandparents may have worked in the mills or lived in the mill villages. Other members are current residents, or just like-minded people, who have connected with the heritage of this historic place.
The OGHF Advisory Committee members are Sherry Hall Jaco, Emily Boone Walker, Jake Jaco, Paula Benson, Roy Phillips, Staci Richey, Vi Hendley, and Bonny Henry. We are a group of “Lintheads” that are committed to preserving our heritage of the mill village culture that was a vital part of the development of South Carolina’s “cotton economy” during the twentieth century.
The Olympia and Granby Mill Villages are being encroached upon from all sides. Local organizations are working to ensure that the residential and historical character of these neighborhoods remains. The museum stores artifacts of our mill village culture and serves as a neighborhood center. The seven exterior exhibits further explain the way mill villagers lived. The Olympia School Annex houses artifacts and collections from our beloved Olympia High School. The museum is a place for renewed pride and interest—a place that preserves our local heritage.
In the early 1900's, mill villages were created throughout the South to entice rural workers to move away from the farms and become part of the labor force in the mills. Moving from poor dirt farms to a new and “modern” mill village was a powerful motivator that created loyalty to the mills and established what became known as “mill village” culture. Just on the outskirts of Columbia, SC city limits, Olympia Mill Village was one of the most significant in our state. Our ancestors came to make a better life for their families.
The Olympia Mill Village Museum is in the heart of the mill village. It stands proudly at the intersection of Bluff Road and Olympia Avenue; the address is 1170 Olympia Avenue. The museum house was built by Whaley Mills in 1901 as a residential place for mill workers. In the fall of that same year, the house was modified to become the first mill village school—Olympia School. The one-room school opened in October 1901 with an enrollment of about thirty pupils.
The six-room house was designed with four rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs. However, the increasing enrollment soon became too large for a one-room school. During the summer vacation period of 1902, the partitions between the front and rear rooms of the first floor, and that of the two upstairs rooms were removed to create three large rooms. By 1905, the school had an enrollment of 115 pupils. During the period from 1906-1909 the enrollment of the school increased so much that the old frame dwelling was becoming too small to house all the children, and plans were made to build a two-story brick school building next door on the site of the present-day Olympia School Campus.
This museum property, the “Original Olympia School” building, represents a significant contribution to mill village culture. Because many of the mill workers came from impoverished circumstances, they realized how valuable an education for their children would be. Throughout the 20th Century, thousands of productive Richland County citizens got their start here. This building represents the founding of a school that remained a vibrant part of the Olympia Mill Village until it was closed in 1992. The school reopened in 2000 as a district alternative school, and it is still in operation today.
From 1907 until 1940 the house belonged to the mill companies, and it was rented to families of mill workers. When the mills unionized in 1938 the houses were sold, and this house became the private residence the Parker Family. It remained in that family until about 1974, when the property became residential/ rental property. Our foundation purchased the property in 2014 with the goal of creating this museum and a community space. During that time, through donations and grants, this piece of local history was established.
Our museum tells the story of “Life in the Olympia Mill Village in the 1920’s.” The original classroom has been re-created to represent the 1900's. By the 1920's, mill village life was in full swing, and we have a living room, kitchen, and bedroom of a typical mill village home during that time. The content "story" continues through the decades up to the present time. In addition, the Olympia High School Annex tells the history of such a unique school and houses artifacts and collections that tell the story of that beloved school.
The museum is staffed by volunteers and welcomes visitors coming into the area. The project will protects a permanent piece of mill village history. It is a repository for artifacts from more than one-hundred years of life during an important phase of economic and social development in Richland County. With free admission, the museum will be open to school groups and the public. Our vision is that this project will become a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization and that people coming in to Richland County will find this a suitable place to live, settle, and build on the historical significance that is already there.
We welcome help from both corporate and individual sponsors who will enable us to meet the museum's yearly budget and ongoing expenses.
The OGHF Advisory Committee members are Sherry Hall Jaco, Emily Boone Walker, Jake Jaco, Paula Benson, Roy Phillips, Staci Richey, Vi Hendley, and Bonny Henry. We are a group of “Lintheads” that are committed to preserving our heritage of the mill village culture that was a vital part of the development of South Carolina’s “cotton economy” during the twentieth century.
The Olympia and Granby Mill Villages are being encroached upon from all sides. Local organizations are working to ensure that the residential and historical character of these neighborhoods remains. The museum stores artifacts of our mill village culture and serves as a neighborhood center. The seven exterior exhibits further explain the way mill villagers lived. The Olympia School Annex houses artifacts and collections from our beloved Olympia High School. The museum is a place for renewed pride and interest—a place that preserves our local heritage.
In the early 1900's, mill villages were created throughout the South to entice rural workers to move away from the farms and become part of the labor force in the mills. Moving from poor dirt farms to a new and “modern” mill village was a powerful motivator that created loyalty to the mills and established what became known as “mill village” culture. Just on the outskirts of Columbia, SC city limits, Olympia Mill Village was one of the most significant in our state. Our ancestors came to make a better life for their families.
The Olympia Mill Village Museum is in the heart of the mill village. It stands proudly at the intersection of Bluff Road and Olympia Avenue; the address is 1170 Olympia Avenue. The museum house was built by Whaley Mills in 1901 as a residential place for mill workers. In the fall of that same year, the house was modified to become the first mill village school—Olympia School. The one-room school opened in October 1901 with an enrollment of about thirty pupils.
The six-room house was designed with four rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs. However, the increasing enrollment soon became too large for a one-room school. During the summer vacation period of 1902, the partitions between the front and rear rooms of the first floor, and that of the two upstairs rooms were removed to create three large rooms. By 1905, the school had an enrollment of 115 pupils. During the period from 1906-1909 the enrollment of the school increased so much that the old frame dwelling was becoming too small to house all the children, and plans were made to build a two-story brick school building next door on the site of the present-day Olympia School Campus.
This museum property, the “Original Olympia School” building, represents a significant contribution to mill village culture. Because many of the mill workers came from impoverished circumstances, they realized how valuable an education for their children would be. Throughout the 20th Century, thousands of productive Richland County citizens got their start here. This building represents the founding of a school that remained a vibrant part of the Olympia Mill Village until it was closed in 1992. The school reopened in 2000 as a district alternative school, and it is still in operation today.
From 1907 until 1940 the house belonged to the mill companies, and it was rented to families of mill workers. When the mills unionized in 1938 the houses were sold, and this house became the private residence the Parker Family. It remained in that family until about 1974, when the property became residential/ rental property. Our foundation purchased the property in 2014 with the goal of creating this museum and a community space. During that time, through donations and grants, this piece of local history was established.
Our museum tells the story of “Life in the Olympia Mill Village in the 1920’s.” The original classroom has been re-created to represent the 1900's. By the 1920's, mill village life was in full swing, and we have a living room, kitchen, and bedroom of a typical mill village home during that time. The content "story" continues through the decades up to the present time. In addition, the Olympia High School Annex tells the history of such a unique school and houses artifacts and collections that tell the story of that beloved school.
The museum is staffed by volunteers and welcomes visitors coming into the area. The project will protects a permanent piece of mill village history. It is a repository for artifacts from more than one-hundred years of life during an important phase of economic and social development in Richland County. With free admission, the museum will be open to school groups and the public. Our vision is that this project will become a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization and that people coming in to Richland County will find this a suitable place to live, settle, and build on the historical significance that is already there.
We welcome help from both corporate and individual sponsors who will enable us to meet the museum's yearly budget and ongoing expenses.
Olympia Mill Village Museum
c/o Olympia-Granby Historical Foundation
163 Emerald Lake Road
Columbia, SC 29209
We welcome donations of $50.00, $100.00, or any amount.
Your interest and involvement is appreciated.
c/o Olympia-Granby Historical Foundation
163 Emerald Lake Road
Columbia, SC 29209
We welcome donations of $50.00, $100.00, or any amount.
Your interest and involvement is appreciated.