There is a new, but oh so recognizable, face at the Colleton Museum and Farmers Market these days.
Christie Slocum has been hired as the museum’s historical and cultural coordinator.
“I am so excited to be joining the team. I am looking forward to being able to use my love for history and the arts to create a positive experience for folks throughout our community that come to visit the facility,” she said.
Slocum has been with the Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society for the past seven years.
She describes herself as a Lowcountry girl at heart, growing up just down the road in Allendale County.
“I’d like to think I have a pretty good grasp of Lowcountry history,” she said. “I think we live in a place that is rich in history.”
Matt Mardell, director of the Colleton Museum, Farmers Market and Commercial Kitchen, shared his excitement as well.
“I am thrilled Christie has joined our team. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge, passion and drive which will bode well for her in our dynamic environment here at the Colleton Museum, Farmers Market and Commercial Kitchen,” he said. “Christie understands the challenges facing museums in rural places nationally and she has joined right at a pivotal point. This is an exciting time.”
Slocum has some idea of how to attract visitors, but not with broad sweeping changes.
“The possibilities are endless,” she said. “We want to work with the community to get a better understanding of what they want to see.”
The museum has enjoyed both a healthy donation of funds and historical items.
“We are fortunate that when they moved to this larger splace, we had a lot of donations and items that are beneficial to the museum. We need community members to come forward with some history we didn’t have. We want to tell their stories,” she said.
When Slocum said the possibilities were endless, she was not kidding.
It is possible, according to her, for the museum to have guest exhibits from locals; some rotating room exhibits from the area — anything that will showcase the local history.
Because of the Covid-19 restrictions, residents missed out on the annual Rice Festival. But with some concerted effort, local showcases could be produced that would show the local culture.
According to Slocum, local history should be fun and not stuffy.
“My job is not for me to interpret things,” she said. “I want people to do that.”
