July1, 2013 Meeting Minutes
Suzanne Case convened the meeting at 9:35 AM with Debbie Lee Landi hosting the meeting at
the Furman University’s David E. Shi Center for Sustainability.
Members in attendance:
Bunny Batson, Travelers Rest Historical Society; Dot Bishop, Travelers Rest Historical Society; Tim Bishop,
Upcountry History Museum; Kalla Black, North Greenville University; Celeste Brewer, Furman University Library
Special Collections; Suzanne Case, Independent Researcher; Dana Darling, Roper Mountain Science Center;
Virginia Ellison, South Carolina Historical Society; Ty Houck, Greenville Recreation Department; BreAnna
Johnson, Furman University Library Special Collections; Jan Johnson, Greenville Hospital System; Rick Jones,
Furman University Library Digicenter; Wayne Kelley, Pickens County Cultural Commission; Kathy Kime,
Upcountry History Museum; Michael Kohl, retired Clemson University Libraries; Debbie Lee Landi; Furman
University Library Special Collections; Sally Potosky, Greenville Chautauqua; Rulinda Price, Greenville County
Public Library; Yvonne S. Reeder, Nickel Town Neighborhood Association; Paul Schultz, Upcounty History
Museum; Becky Slayton, Independent Consultant; Patsy Swygert, South Carolina Genealogy Association; Dawn
Weaver, Musgrove Mill State Historic Site; Michael Weeks, Roper Mountain Science Center; Ellen Westkaemper,
Greenville County Museum of Art; Marshal Williams, Greenville Textile Heritage Society.
I. Institutional Updates (abbreviated)
Kathy Kime. Dana Thorpe is the new director of the Up Country History Museum. There are
new exhibits about Smoky Bear & Woodsy Owl and South Carolina Landscapes. Night at the
museum is in July.
Paul Schultz. Is a recent college grad who is working as an intern at the Up Country History
Museum.
Yvonne Reeder. She is involved in the historic Nickel Town community in Greenville.
Wayne Kelley. Is a member of the Pickens County Historical Commission as well as the Pickens
County Museum.
Mike Kohl. He has retired from Clemson University Libraries Special Collections in January
2013. There will be a national search for his replacement.
Rulinda Price. She has worked with volunteers to index Greenville County’s 19th century antebellum probate records documenting African Americans. They hope to proceed to do those of the
Pendleton District.
Jan Johnson. Continues working on processing the records of the Greenville Hospital System in
its archives.
Rick Jones. Is in charge of the Furman University Library Digicenter and is working on
digitization of Furman’s collections.
BreAnna Johnson & Celeste Brewer. Are Furman University students working in the Duke
Library Special Collections.
Debbie Lee Landi. Due to cuts in staff, Special Collections will be closed on Mondays
beginning in July. A new exhibit is being prepared about Lyles Alley, Furman athlete and coach.
Michael Weeks & Dana Darling. They are revising lesson plans related to Roper Mountain
Science Center to do activities with apps. Second Saturdays continue scheduled from 9-1.
Kalla Black. She is undertaking an oral history program at North Greenville University.
Virginia Ellison. She is here with her director of the South Carolina Historical Society for a
presentation. The Society has a state-wide presence.
Ellen Westkaemper. The Greenville County Art Museum continues to be interested in
collaborations with K-12 classes.
Becky Slaton. Has resigned from the Chapman Cultural Center and is an independent
consultant. She is the President of the South Carolina Federation of Museums which has worked
on a collaborative travel guide.
Donna Weaver. The Musgrove Mills Historic Site is a new State site commemorating a
Revolutionary War battle.
Bonnie Batson & Dot Bishop. The Travelers Rest Historical Society’s Museum is open next to
the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Marshal Williams. He reported that the Greenville Textile Heritage Society has a variety of
events this summer as well as the publication of a pictorial volume about Parker High School.
Patsy Swygert. Is a member of the Greenville Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogy Society
which has participated in a variety of local historical endeavors.
Tim Bishop. The Up Country History Museum continues to work with cooperative programs
and exhibits with other local organizations including the Greenville County Schools and
Greenville Textile Heritage Soceity.
Ty Houck. The Greenville County Recreation Department is working with Blockington
Associates on identifying historic sites in the county. Recommendations are welcomed. He
mentioned work being done on the restoration of a building at the Pelham Mill Park.
Suzanne Case. She is working with Penny Forrester on an Osher Life Long Learning Institute
course at Furman about notable women in Greenville.
Sally Potosky. The Greenville Chautauqua will be held during June and July. There is also a
training program for performers.
II. Mission Statement
Discussion of revision of CUSCH’s mission statement ensued. After some editing, it was
determined that a revised version would be sent to members for comment and revision.
III. Change of Organizational Name
A motion was made to change the name of the organization to “Consortium for Up Country
South Carolina History” to better reflect the more historical name given to this region of the
state. After discussion, the motion was voted upon and passed unanimously.
IV. Announcements
People should contact their State Senators regarding negative changes in the legislation that
provides tax credits for the historical preservation and re-habitation of abandoned buildings.
The Southeastern Library Association and the South Carolina Library Association joint
conference will be held in Greenville this coming November 13-15.
The South Carolina Archivists Association, Society of Georgia Archivists, and the Society of
North Carolina Archivists will hold a joint meeting at Furman University, October 16 – 18.
V. Election of New Officers
Wayne Kelley & Tim Bishop were elected joint chairs of CUSCH beginning in December.
Patsy Swygert was elected new secretary beginning in December.
VI. Next Meeting
The first Wednesday in September is the 4th. Because that date is the week of Labor Day, it was
suggested that a poll of members via surveymonkey might be helpful to determine a generally
agreeable date.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:15. A tour of the Shi Center followed.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Mike Kohl July 1, 2013.