THE SMITHSONIAN IS COMING TO CHESTER! “ The Way We Worked” June 24 - August 6, 2017 Museum on Main Street, a partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and SC Humanities to provide small towns with access to museums and other cultural activities.

THE “WAY WE WORKED” LOCAL PROGRAM: During June 24 – August 6, 2017… Local program to focus on agriculture, textiles and merchants Local program could include art, photos, memorabilia, re-enactments, forums, displays, and other creative expressions and exhibits Local program held at sites throughout Chester County SC Historian Melissa Walker offers to do presentation- Gateway Publicity materials from Humanities Council can be used to promote local program City marketing and advertising plan would include local program activities Training in November by interpretative exhibit expert Our diverse, interconnected workforce is a key part of our nation’s story. “The Way We Worked” explores how labor became a central element of American culture by tracing the changes that have affected work and workers over the past 150 years. The Smithsonian “Way We Worked” Exhibit will be installed at City Hall during June 24 – August 6, 2017 Host cities are requested to organize local programs and tell their own stories about labor history and heritage. Local stories can be added to

CITY OF CHESTER IS 1 OF 6 HOST CITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA HOST CITIES: St. George Blythewood Pickens Chester McClellanville Hartsville LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS: Olde English District Tourism Office Chester County Economic Development Chester County Library Chester County Historical Society Finley High School Restoration Arts Council of Chester County Chester County 4H Great Falls Hometown Association Chester County Chamber of Commerce Chester County School District plus local historians, farmers, merchants, more….

“WAY WE WORKED” contributes to community building & tourism COMMUNITY BUILDING Build community awareness and participation around Chester’s labor history and heritage. Provides opportunities for developing local story telling and interpretation of Chester’s own history. Inclusive. Re-discover and discover Chester’s work history, past, present and envisioning the future. Youth learning and engagement. Intergenerational opportunities. Local public humanity programs are created by local people. TOURISM The prestigious Smithsonian’s presence in Chester is an opportunity for tourism, drawing historical, education and cultural tourists and contributes to local tourism goals. Past Smithsonian exhibits in small towns have produced significant increases in tourists and visitors. Out- of- Home Advertising to be used (billboards): I-77 Charlotte & Columbia; Gateway; possible billboard coordination between host cities; possible digital billboard in Charleston Post on City website, municipal TV, Facebook, Olde English District, Chester County Economic Development, News & Reporter + local participant sites Promotional exhibit at Olde English District Visitor’s Center

YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS: Local exhibit or event at your site Partner with other local groups to develop exhibit Docent-tour guides Fundraising Promotion and publicity Volunteer And more…..

CURRENT RESOURCES (CITY) SC Humanities Grant $ 2,500 (billboards) SCPRT TAG Grant $ 1,900 (billboards) In-kind In progress: Youth Access Grant Ideas: Ceramic cows Business sponsorships Your ideas please!

NEXT STEPS: Fill out Local Program Sign Up Sheet City of Chester – Local Program participant meetings during October. We will be in touch to arrange bilateral meetings.

…..Faces and places from “Way We Worked” in Chester….. Thank you! Chester Mill Workers Farmers at Chester Farmers & Artisans Market Ezell Hardware