ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Major players on both the state and federal levels are making an investment into Orangeburg's history.
On Monday morning, Congressman Jim Clyburn's office announced they are investing $700,000 into the City of Orangeburg's 'Railroad Corner' redevelopment project.
That project includes the relocation of the Cecil Williams Museum to Russell Street and an additional $250,000 is being allocated in state funding for the museum's operational expenses. That money will be used to hire additional staff and purchase upgraded digital printing equipment.
Other elements of the Railroad Corner redevelopment project include mixed-use commercial and residential space.
“So many thousands of people sacrificed for change and it just would not be right to not properly give them some recognition. We feel this is just be a start," said museum founder and photographer Cecil Williams.
The museum houses more than 20,000 artifacts and documents that tell the story of some of South Carolina's most historic moments during the Civil Rights movement including the Orangeburg Massacre and Briggs v. Elliot, a court case that challenged school segregation in Clarendon County.
According to Congressman Jim Clyburn, moving the museum to a more centrally located site in downtown Orangeburg would make it more accessible as an educational resource to students at South Carolina State and Claflin Universities.
“To have this as a significant part of that is just one big deal and it would mean that students can take a few steps from their dormitory and be part of living history," said Clyburn.
This month the museum introduced a new poster series to highlight black women who have made sacrifices during the Civil Rights movement.
There is no set timeline for when the museum will finalize its relocation to the historic Railroad Corner.