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Commission to consult state about corrections to Georgetown Technical College marker
Summary
Members flagged two potentially misleading lines on the Georgetown Technical College historic marker and agreed the county will consult the South Carolina Department of Archives and History before installing the plaque; staff suggested adding QR codes for expanded context.
The commission discussed specific wording on a Georgetown Technical College historical marker that members said could mislead readers about the building's original design and historical affiliations.
Chair (S1) said two portions of the marker "are not correct or or misleading" and requested staff contact the state archival authority and the sign maker about possible fixes. Chair noted one phrasing implies the current exterior is the original design and another passage leaves ambiguity about the school’s association with Marion County and an 1868 date. "Let me talk to them," the chair said, asking staff to seek permission and options for correction before proceeding.
Staff (S4) advised the state had already approved the language and that the marker had been ordered based on that text in 2023–2024; S4 suggested adding a QR code to provide additional explanatory context. The commission discussed whether a QR code would address brevity on the plaque and acknowledged not everyone scans codes, but agreed having additional online context could reduce potential misinterpretation.
The chair said they would contact the South Carolina Department of Archives and History before deciding whether to return the marker for recasting or pursue supplemental information via QR code. No formal motion to modify the text was recorded; the commission opted to seek clarification before taking further action.
