Renovations to the second floor of the building that houses the museum added thousands of square feet of exhibit space. Photo courtesy of SouthStrandNews.com

By David Purtell dpurtell@southstrandnews.com Dec 3, 2017

The S.C. Maritime Museum opened its doors Saturday to the public following months of renovation work to the building next to Francis Marion Park on Front Street in Georgetown.  The main attraction was the redone second floor that is now part of the museum and adds 3,600 square feet of exhibit and event space to the two-story building. “This was something that was started years ago,” said Johnny Weaver, president of the museum’s board of directors. “We are very glad to have this day, finally. This is an exciting day for us.”

After years operating out of a small room at the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, the museum bought the first floor of its current building in 2011. In 2016, after receiving a rural development loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the museum bought the building’s second floor as well as an adjacent parking lot and four boat slips on the harbor.

“That loan has helped us get to where we are right now,” Weaver said about the $1.9 million the museum received. Renovations so far have totaled more than $600,000. An elevator was installed on one side of the building and a new stairway was built.

The second floor currently houses the museum’s Shipwreck exhibit.

 Johnny Weaver, board president for the Maritime Museum, walks down the newly installed stairway. Photo courtesy of SouthStrandNews.com

Georgetown City Councilman Al Joseph was on hand for the ribbon cutting and complimented the people behind the museum for their work.

“It’s just an incredible, spectacular addition to Georgetown,” he said about the museum.

Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce President Beth Stedman said the museum plays a vital role in attracting tourism to downtown and supporting neighboring businesses.

In a related project to the building’s renovation, the museum is leasing vacant lots left behind after the 2013 Front Street fire that destroyed several buildings. This summer, the museum had the lots cleared and installed concrete pads, and the city installed a new fence along the adjoining sidewalk. The area was used during the museum’s annual Wooden Boat Show in October and is available for rent as an outdoor waterfront event and wedding reception venue.

The museum’s board hopes to complete the re-finishing of the maple floor in the building’s 5,000-square-foot main level this winter.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Weaver said.