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Museum representative asks Orangeburg for $400,000 annual support, projects $22 million local impact
Summary
Cecil Williams of the Veil Rights Museum presented preliminary projections for a new museum at Railroad Corner, said the museum would contribute $10 million in artifacts and requested the city consider a $400,000 annual line item to support roughly $820,000 in annual operating costs.
Cecil Williams, speaking for the Veil Rights Museum, told the council the museum plans to locate at Railroad Corner in Orangeburg and requested the city consider a $400,000 annual line item to support operating costs.
Williams said the museum plans to bring significant collections, telling council the museum will contribute about $10 million in artifacts, documents and images. He projected the museum could draw about 200,000 visitors a year and that 40% of visitors would stay overnight, creating hotel and restaurant revenue; he said the museum’s annual operating overhead is projected at about $820,000. Williams attributed his visitation projections in part to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study of traffic volumes at Interstate 26, Exit 145, that estimated roughly 100,000 vehicles passing that exit daily (study year not specified).
Williams asked the council to consider a $400,000 annual city contribution while the museum pursues other revenue streams; he said the museum intends to remain free to visitors and would generate income through donations and sales. He presented a formal written request to the council at the meeting. Mayor Butler and council members received the presentation and thanked Williams for the information; no council action on funding was taken at the meeting.
