Orangeburg, South Carolina may not be the place that immediately comes to mind when considering the Civil Rights movement, but it holds a place in the era then and now.
The South Carolina Civil Rights Museum is the concept and culmination of the efforts of Cecil Williams. Mr. Williams is a renowned photographer who not only documented the civil rights movement from behind the lens but stood in the midst of it literally in his own skin. He experienced the racism and exclusion first hand, he was there for the protests, and he lost friends along the way to the cause.
Williams’ photography credentials go back to when he was a child and kept increasing over the years. He has freelanced for JET magazine, contributed Baltimore Afro-American, Associated Press, and the Pittsburgh Courier. He also documented the Orangeburg Massacre. Now Williams’ photos, historical documentation, and personal vision make up more than 300 exhibits in the South Carolina Civil Rights Museum, the first and only civil rights museum in the State of South Carolina and part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail.
The SCCRM was created in 2019 by Mr. Williams with his wife Barbara and sister Brenda. The objectives of the museum are:
South Carolina Civil Rights Museum is a museum displaying archives of pictures, papers, interviews, records, documents, and etc. of South Carolinians involved in historical events that have had significant impact on African Americans in the state and in the nation.
Establishment of a site to exhibit the Pictorial History of the historical events that had significant impact on African Americans in the South Carolina and in the nation.
Presentation of an unbiased, objective view of significant events in the history of South Carolina through pictures, clippings, records, and papers from South Carolinians on both sides of the important issues of the past.
Improvement the level of knowledge of South Carolinians regarding the tremendous role South Carolinians have played in reshaping the fabric of this nation.
Presentation of photographic documentation that the achievements of the South Carolina civil rights era were not possible without tremendous support from white citizens; some who played visibly active roles and others who remained in the background.
Preservation of the photographic and document collections utilizing state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technology such as digital imaging and CDs. A web site would be created to disseminate information as well.
(cecilwilliams.com)
Earlier this year, Williams’ wife, Barbara Johnson-Williams introduced her book, Immersed: The Unconventional Journey of a Man, Mission, and Museum. The book follows Mr. Williams journey from the beginning culminating in the SCCRM.
In an article from 2020, National Geographic touches on the work Williams has done to make this museum a reality. Doing a lot of the work himself Williams has cleared out space, refurnished rooms, tiled floors, and arranged his photographs as he saw fit. Mr. Williams shared with pride then about the SCCRM, “It’s a symbol of what could be achieved.” One may wonder if he was talking about the Civil Rights movement or the museum. Given all Williams has seen and done it’s probably both.
