New look: Neighborhood services intern Will Williams has facilitated numerous upgrades to the museum, including a new sign on Mr. Joe White Avenue.
Creative exhibits incorporate elements of the original building.
Inspiration: Williams’ multimedia piece “Interwoven,” now on display at the Historic Myrtle Beach Colored School, was the catalyst for his involvement with the museum.
Tribute: Mary “Cookie” Goings, director of Neighborhood Services for Myrtle Beach, holds a signed copy of John Lewis’ Walking with the Wind at a tribute upon Lewis’ death in July.
Will Williams is building museum programming, research, and outreach.
Former students produced The Colored Wo-Men’s Cookbook, still available today as a fundraiser for the establishment of the museum.
Dedication: From left to right: Fannie Brown, Roddy Brown, Shirley Goings, Mary “Cookie” Goings, Will Williams, and April Johnson, at the dedication of Williams’ piece, “Interwoven.”
Exhibits: Museum exhibits highlight the timeline of the colored school, as well as the larger historical educational context. Pieces range from original items used in instruction to donated period pieces to recreation of scenes and instructional content. Music was an important component of education, provided through local churches. Above: Williams and Goings organized a memorial for Nona Eaddy, 99, a former student who passed away in July 2020.
Chats: Williams participates in Beachside Chats, another initiative of the City of Myrtle Beach Neighborhood Services. Below: Williams holds virtual story time with Margot Theis Raven‘s Circle Unbroken, about the legacy of sweetgrass baskets.
Telling Stories: Brown and Williams with a group of children following story time at the museum.
Creating Beauty: A handcrafted mural, completed in July 2020, hangs along Mr. Joe White Avenue in front of the museum.
Community members contribute to the creation of the mural at one Beachside Chats session.
