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William H. Johnson Gallery
We will be adding a new gallery to the second floor dedicated to exhibiting works related to the life of Florence native William Henry Johnson (1901–1970), drawing on works in the museum's permanent collection and loans from adjacent institutions.
Permanent Art Gallery
The expansion will also bring a new gallery to the second floor dedicated to showcasing highlights from the museum's growing permanent collection. These galleries will be the museum's first spaces dedicated to exhibiting art from its own holdings.
Updated History Gallery
The redesign of the Pee Dee History Gallery will improve visitor flow and focus more on stories from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement. Popular highlights from the exisiting design will remain.
More Educational Space
We will also add educational space on both floors: an entry and staging area on the first floor to accommodate group tours; and a second classroom on the second floor to expand capacity for tour and educational programming.
Second Floor Walkway
The facility update will introduce a U-shaped, interior walkway on the second floor to improve circulation and gallery access. The second floor art galleries will have multiple access points instead of a single entrance and exit.
More Collection Storage
We will also be adding more climate-controlled storage. On average institutions only exhibit 1-5% of their holdings at any given time, the remainder must be safely perserved in storage. This will support collections growth moving forward.
New Office Spaces
The museum staff has grown since it first opened in 2014 and will continue to grow. The expansion will bring much needed space for behind-the-scenes work that helps make FCM's exhibit and educational programming a reality.
Redesigned Courtyard
The FCM courtyard has been cleared for construction staging during this project. Once complete, the courtyard will return with a new landscape design utilizing plants of historical and ecological significance to the Pee Dee.
Project Partners
Project Timeline
- Construction for the Florence County Museum (FCM) expansion project began Saturday, August 1, 2026, and is scheduled to continue through October 2027.
- The museum will remain open to the public during construction, with sections of the building closing as needed throughout the project.
- The museum will officially close to the public in October 2027 to allow time for the installation of new exhibits and preparation of the renovated facility.
- A public unveiling event celebrating the museum’s redesigned and expanded galleries is planned for the first quarter of 2028.
Temporary Parking
- The west side museum parking lot (accessed from Cheves Street) will be closed through October 2027.
- Museum guests can find parking in the Emerson Garage, west of the museum, accessible via Irby or Dargan Street.
- Parking along Dargan Street will remain open during construction.
- Additional parking is available in the SC DHEC parking lot to the east of the museum.
Current Exhibitions
Revelations: The Art of Leo Twiggs
Revelations: The Art of Leo Twiggs
Southern Visions
Southern Visions
Lasting Presence
Lasting Presence
The Community Gallery
The Community Gallery
The Pee Dee History Gallery
