For Immediate Release:
May 18, 2021
Contact: Marie Cheek, Community Relations Coordinator, Culture & Heritage Museums
4621 Mt. Gallant Road Rock Hill, S.C. 29732 mcheek@chmuseums.org 803.909.7312
Culture & Heritage Museums receives 2021 South Carolina Historic Preservation Stewardship Award for McCelvey Window Restoration Project
YORK, S.C. – Recognizing exemplary work in historic preservation throughout the state, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Preservation South Carolina, and the Office of the Governor have announced the 27th Annual South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards. Culture & Heritage Museums has received a 2021 South Carolina Historic Preservation Stewardship Award for their successful undertaking of McCelvey Window Restoration Project.
Following years of deferred maintenance after the building ceased operation as a public school in 1987, the McCelvey’s windows had deteriorated and required intervention. Culture & Heritage Museums made the decision to restore, rather than replace, the windows to preserve historic appeal. Located within the City of York’s historic district, the old school house’s character defining windows date to 1902 in the west wing and 1922 in the central, east, and auditorium wings.
Demonstrating the commitment to preserving South Carolina’s history, the McCelvey Window Project entailed restoration of 154 original wood windows, which were reinstalled and made operable again using their original sash weight systems. Each window sash was removed and restored offsite by Shenandoah Restorations, Inc. of Irmo, S.C. Original glass was reused wherever possible and any wooden elements that had to be replaced were faithfully reproduced. Traditional linseed-oil based glazing putty was used for securing lights in their sash. Completed in Sept. 2020, the restoration work preserves the historic building’s most prominent architectural feature and provides an improved climate-controlled environment.
The Stewardship Awards recognize those who have ensured the ongoing preservation of historic buildings, structures, or sites through long-term care, planning, management, protection, or continuous ownership for a minimum of ten years. Up to five Stewardship Awards are presented each year. A 2021 South Carolina Historic Preservation Award ceremony is planned for July at the State House with Gov. Henry McMaster.
The mission of the McCelvey Center is to collect and preserve the cultural heritage of York County and the Carolina Piedmont while providing programs and educational opportunities that reflect the regional history through research, exhibitions, and performing arts. Culture & Heritage Museums was granted stewardship of the McCelvey in 2001. The McCelvey Window Restoration Project was funded in part by a York County Hospitality Tax grant. Learn more about the project and the history of the McCelvey Building here: https://chmuseums.org/news/371/
IMAGES:
The McCelvey building before and after the window restoration project. Photos courtesy of CHM. For high resolution images, contact mcheek@chmuseums.org
About Culture & Heritage Museums:
Culture & Heritage Museums is a family of museums that includes the Museum of York County and Main Street Children’s Museum in Rock Hill, Historic Brattonsville in McConnells, and the McCelvey Center in York. The McCelvey Building with the Lowry Family Theater, the Historical Center of York County and the Southern Revolutionary War Institute are located on the McCelvey Center campus. Culture & Heritage Museums is a Smithsonian Affiliate and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums; accreditation signifies “excellence and credibility to the entire museum community, to governments and outside agencies and to the museum-going public.” Learn more about chmuseums.org
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