Florence County Museum Plans Major Expansion

News Summary

The Florence County Museum is preparing for a significant expansion with the addition of a new second story, promising enhanced educational and cultural experiences. Slated to begin construction in 2025 and complete by 2026, the project will increase gallery space, provide classrooms, and introduce more collection storage. The expansion reflects Florence’s ongoing commitment to art and community, backed by a budget of approximately $15 million, including allocated funds and bonds to support the construction.

Florence County Museum Gears Up for Exciting Expansion!

Florence, the heart of South Carolina, has something big in the works that’s sure to excite art and history lovers alike! The Florence County Museum is set to undergo a major expansion, adding a vibrant new second story to the back of the building. This is more than just an upgrade; it’s a leap forward for the museum, promising to enhance the cultural landscape of our community.

A Closer Look at the Expansion

Mark your calendars for 2025! That’s when construction is expected to kick off, with the project gearing up to wrap up by 2026. What awaits within those walls? A whopping 15,000 square feet of fresh space is in the making. The new east wing will provide both classroom and office areas, ensuring that educational programs for both children and adults can flourish. Meanwhile, on the first floor of the west wing, additional collection storage will be introduced to preserve our community’s unique artifacts.

But that’s not all! The second floor west wing is set to boast expanded gallery space, with an impressive 5,000 square feet set aside to double the current size of the museum’s “Focus Gallery.” Florence’s commitment to the arts is undeniable, and this expansion represents a significant step towards showcasing even more of our local treasures!

Celebrating a Decade of Design Excellence

In 2024, the museum proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary at its current location on Cheves Street, a milestone that reflects its unwavering role in the community. Interestingly, back in 2018, Architectural Digest recognized it as the best-designed museum in South Carolina, and it’s easy to see why! With this expansion, the museum will continue to uphold high standards in both design and functionality.

Why the Expansion? Let’s Break It Down

Now, you might be wondering why the museum is taking on this ambitious project. Well, it turns out that they recently lost their lease for additional gallery space in the nearby Waters Building. Florence County has allocated $841,000 for design expenses in its 2024 budget, indicating strong support for the museum’s vision. The estimated total cost for the expansion is between $13 million and $15 million, and to help fund this endeavor, the county has finalized $13 million in bonds. Although they’re projected to have $13.7 million available, they might need a little extra funding to fully realize their vision.

Smart Construction Management in the Works

To keep costs in check, the construction management team will adopt a risk management approach. This means if material costs rise unexpectedly, the construction company won’t be able to pass those costs on, thanks to their contract terms. However, any changes requested by the county may lead to additional expenses. It’s a smart way to ensure the museum remains on budget without sacrificing quality.

Creative Minds Behind the Design

The architects from the original project in 2014 are joining forces again for the expansion, now under the firm McMillan, Pazdan and Smith. The lead architect for the project, Sanders Tate, and local architect Scott Collins are collaborating to bring imaginative concepts to life. Currently, the design process is in the conceptual stage, and the community can look forward to seeing how these plans unfold.

What’s Next for the Museum? Get Ready!

Construction is projected to begin in the fall of 2025 and is estimated to take about a year to complete. With its ongoing children’s and adult education programs, the museum is dedicated to engaging the entire community. This expansion promises to elevate its role even further, turning it into an even bigger hub for creativity and education in Florence! So, stay tuned, because Florence County Museum is about to make some wonderful waves in the world of art and culture!

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Additional Resources

• Spectrum Local News
• Wikipedia: Museum
• Post and Courier
• Google Search: Florence County Museum Expansion
• WPDE
• Google Scholar: Florence County Museum
• Post and Courier
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Art Museum