University of South Carolina, Research Foundation

Purpose: Sustaining Cultural Heritage The McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina will use its natural science collection as the focus of a new center of teaching, exhibition, research, and programming on natural history and the environment. Four university faculty members-recognized scholars in geology, environmental history, and nature studies-will work with the museum staff to (1) supervise an inventory and reorganization of the collection; (2) develop an interpretive framework for an exhibition and for instructional use; (3) write didactic texts and select appropriate imagery for display; (4) oversee installation of an interpretive exhibition; and (5) develop relevant student-based research and course applications. The grant will fund exhibition development and fabrication. Research and instructional support will be provided by McKissick Museum, and the university will provide a newly renovated 2,000-square-foot gallery to house the exhibition, as well as adjacent teaching and research areas. The museum staff will enhance their collection management skills and make the collections more accessible; reinvigorate the use of the collections and link them to the humanities and sciences; provide an important educational resource to a broad audience of researchers and the general public; and make information on natural history exploration and the state's remarkable biodiversity widely available.