Worth Keeping: Traditions in the
Permanent Collection

August 9, 2008 - March 14, 2009

Worth Keeping highlights McKissick Museum's oft-unseen permanent collections of traditional art. We collect, conserve, preserve, and research examples of hand made traditonal arts such as quilts, baskets, and pottery along with video, audio and artifacts related to other traditional art forms such as music, cooking and storytelling. We use our collections to learn about these traditions and our mission is to share that knowledge and/or experience with our visitors.

Saving Face: Conserving University of South Carolina Portraits

May 23- August 15, 2009

Portraits give us important information. The stories they tell link us to the accomplishments, values and emotions of the past. As an important contribution to preserving the history of the South Carolina College and U.S.C. the University Board of Trustees has undertaken a multi-year project to survey, catalogue and conserve the portraits of the former presidents. This exhibition charts the progress of this project, displaying the newly conserved paintings as well as those waiting their turn. Information on the conservation process and the modern techniques used by today's fine arts conservators accompanies the works on display as well as photographic images charting the work on each painting.

The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls

February 7 - April 4, 2009

The exploits of Roberts Smalls have long been viewed as heroic and patriotic. His journey took him from an existence as a slave to a Union hero during the Civil War. In 1874 he was elected to the U.S. Congress where he served five terms. His life exemplified what many of the former enslaved African Americans were able to achieve with freedom. This exhibition is organized by the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston.

Congressman Robert Smalls

Through the hundreds of specimens available in the library, the Museum visitor can travel the world through minerals. Gold from South Carolina, amethyst from Brazil, malachite from Namibia, fluorite from England, and skutterudite from Morocco are just a few of the minerals on display.

In 1965, through the generosity of the estate of Bernard Mannes Baruch, the University of South Carolina received an extensive collection of 18th and early 19th century British silver. This collection, numbered in excess of 450 pieces, had been assembled in the early 20th century by Baruch's wife, Annie Griffen Baruch.