Many things are happening as we work toward the final stages of completing the Olympia Mill Village Museum. We are working on facilities, content and marketing.  This is where we are:
FACILITIES
--This past week Vulcan Materials had Macemore Crane put down a concrete pad for our ADA parking space. Next week they will apply loads of rocks to complete the parking lot. MANY THANKS, VULCAN!
--Then we will have our final inspections that bring us closer to completion.
--Storm windows to protect our sizable investment and provide insulation are in the works. 
THANKS TO RICHLAND COUNTY H TAX GRANTS AND COUNCILWOMAN DALHI MYERS
--We are working with Guardian Fence to install wrought iron fencing along front of property for additional security. THANKS, AGAIN RICHLAND COUNTY
--Exterior paint contract is being negotiated. (OUR UPCOMING FALL FUND RAISER WILL FOCUS ON THIS--WE NEED YOUR HELP!)
--We will remove all the trophies and artifacts from the Olympia Annex so we can install the composite floor. DONATIONS FROM OUR RESERVE FUND WILL PAY THIS COST.
--After that installation of all the Olympia School exhibits will be completed and we will have a Grand Opening for the Annex--hopefully October.
CONTENT
--Curriculum Content (based on SC Curriculum Standards) packet is being shared with prospective teachers to bring student groups to visit--Finish date is September 30. THANKS TO BCBSSC FOR GRANT.
*We have our first tour of 45 fifth graders from Gadsden Elementary scheduled for November!
--Museum Archive and data base is being developed with an expected finish date of October 30.  (THANKS TO RICHLAND/ COLUMBIA SERTOMA  CLUB and WE ARE OLYMPIA FOR GRANT.)
--Additional artifacts and memorabilia are being collected and displayed both in the house and the Annex as they are curated.
MARKETING
--In August museum information was distributed to all area school districts to invite teachers to bring school groups.  (See attached flyer.)
--We continue to network with other local museums to share information and increase visitor numbers.
--We have an active Social Media presence--follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Check our 2019 Donor list on this web site.
--Another brochure is being created and will be installed in local "card racks" to spread the word.
--Our wonderful VOLUNTEER GUIDE TEAM continues to be an integral part of our outreach.  Let me know if you want to join our team.

Much has been done, and more needs to be done before we are complete.  The museum is open on Friday's and Saturday's from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and we hope you will plan to visit, and then visit again!  
Admission is free!
Love to all you Lintheads!
Sherry Jaco
803-719-7138

OLYMPIA MILL VILLAGE MUSEUM RECEIVED HISTORIC COLUMBIA FOUNDATION'S "PRESERVATION/ RESTORATION" AWARD FOR 2019!
It is so good to have our museum recognized by the local historic preservation community. 

Other news:

--Our museum is staffed by Volunteer Guides and is open every Friday and Saturday from 11:00--4:00, and by appointment (803-719-7138). Admission is free.  Come see us soon!

--We average between 10--15 visitors each week. Most have deep Linthead roots and we end up  sitting and talking about our family and community connections.  
--Other visitors come to learn about the history of our area and to experience  "Life in the Olympia Mill Village in the 1920s."
--We are networking with other local museums to encourage more visitors.
--Back in March, a group of 19 USC student volunteers came to the museum and washed windows, did housekeeping chores, and planted azaleas. They were eager, energetic, and hungry--lots of doughnuts!
--A Boy Scout troop is scheduled to do additional landscaping in May.
--We are still working to get our parking lot completed so that we can finish the Olympia School Annex where we tell the story of Olympia School with photos, trophies, artifacts, and written content.
--Plans are being made to preserve all our print  materials, which are being cataloged by our volunteer archivist. This archive will be made available to researchers.

--Curriculum materials will be developed for student groups (third and seventh graders) that will be coming in this next school year.
--701 CCA is creating The Mill District Art Trail and it will have several art installation throughout the Granby, Whaley and Olympia villages. The first "art piece" will be placed at the museum in the coming months.
--Our 2019 Spring Sustaining Donor Campaign has begun.  Funds are needed to continue projects and maintain our Reserve Fund.  We need your help. Please consider joining our  2019 Sustaining Donor Team.
--Follow us on social media:  Facebook, Twitter (@olympiamillvillagemuseum,) and on Instagram.
Thank you to all who support this project through donations, visits, and well wishes. 
This is our Olympia Mill Village project and it belongs to all of us.  We are OLYMPIA STRONG! Let's KEEP SHINING!
​
Sherry Jaco

Hello Museum Friends,
We opened our doors in November 2018!
Having a place to see our mill village history come alive and visit with friends has been such a rewarding experience!  Creating this community space has been a labor of love of so many people who gave artifacts, sent checks, or provided words of encouragement. It belongs to all of us who have connections to this mill village heritage. Come see what all the excitement is about. 
Our museum is open for visitors every Friday and Saturday from 11:00--4:00 with free admission, so bring your family and friends.
---The museum house content is 80% complete with more artifacts and some technology still to be added.
---The seven outdoor exhibits are 90% complete, with some signage and the "out house" remodel still in the works.
---Due to storm drainage issues, the Olympia School Annex is not yet open, even though our content is complete.  When our parking lot is finished, the annex will be available for visitors.
The museum rehab turned out beautifully!  Thanks to local businesses that helped:
---Gateway Supply donated plumbing fixtures
---Columbia Building Industry Association and Great Southern Homes supplied both dry wall and bead board
---Modern Exterminating treated our building for termites
---K W Beverage matched donations for our Midlands Gives 
---Lindau Chemicals also donated matching funds.
---Vulcan Materials generously installed storm rain gutters on both the house and the annex.  They are also helping us get the parking lot completed.

Thanks to our group of Volunteer Guides who will greet visitors. They received training and are certified to assist when you visit. 

There is still work that must be done.  Soon we will begin our Spring Donor Campaign.  We need to raise $20,000 to complete the museum and replenish our Reserve Fund. Please think about how you will help.
We look forward to seeing you soon!   Olympia still shines! We are OLYMPIA STRONG!
Sherry Jaco

Museum Hours: Every Friday and Saturday from 11:00--4:00.  Come see us!

With the support of many Loyal Lintheads
we opened our doors in November!
Museum hours are

Fridays and Saturdays (11:00—4:00).

Although the exterior and some exhibits are not quite
complete, we had at least 150 people visit in three weeks.

The response has been amazing!

‘Tis the Season of Giving!

Many people are donating in Memory of Loved Ones or to

Honor a Special Friend.
All donations are listed on our web site:
https://www.olympiagranbymillvillagemuseum.com/
Our rehab costs ran over budget and we still have our parking
lot to complete. Please consider making a “Christmas Gift”

donation to the
Olympia Mill Village Museum.

Hurray!  We have walls and lovely paint--getting ready for opening!  Paint will finish this week, along with plumbing and electrical top off.

Staci is finishing up the content and sending to printers.

Floors will be done next week!  Then, . . 

Exhibits installed!