Work is underway this week on the front portion of the Laurens County Museum’s new building on the Laurens Square. Museum Association President Phil Adair yesterday noted assistance from the Main Street Program in Laurens and South Carolina on a new sign for the new facility. Speaking to the Laurens Rotary Club, Adair said the total cost to rehabilitate the building is expected to run some three-quarters of a million dollars.
The building was donated by Johnny Weatherspoon, a Texan with roots in Laurens County. Weatherspooon also donated additional funds to pay for some immediate needs for stabilizing the building, including roof repairs to prevent further damage from rainfall.
$150,000 of the $750,000 needed will be used in a “Phase I” of the conversion, further stabilizing the front of the structure, including repairs to some flooring, and to bring the building more in keeping with the architectural look of the Historic Square. He noted that because of the size of the structure, building codes are requiring enhancements that include more rest room facilities than initially considered. Codes also dictate the need for an elevator. A freight elevator already in the building may be used, but only as a museum exhibit.
Phil Adair said that the new museum provides five times the exhibit space of the current facility.
As for the current fund-raising campaign, Adair noted that last week’s event at the Little River Park sponsored by the Laurens County Legislative Delegation raised $2,800 to kick-off the museum’s Capitol Campaign.
The Museum Association President also invited people to join the association, noting that membership dues cover the daily ongoing costs of operation.
Looking to the future operation on Main Street, Phil Adair said they hope to be able to operate with a full-time staff, and have a Museum Gift Shop operating daily in the facility.