A proposed closure of the Clarendon County Archives has sparked concern among local historians and residents, with county officials and Historical Society leaders offering sharply different views on the future of the building, its contents and the role it plays in preserving Clarendon County’s past.
Clarendon County Administrator Walt Ackerman confirmed to The Manning Times that the county is considering three options for the Archives, which he said is currently slated for possible closure as part of ongoing budget discussions.
Those options, according to Ackerman, include three possible paths. The first would have the Clarendon County Historical Society take over the contents and move them to its museum on Brooks Street. The second would have the county deed the Archives building to the Historical Society while offsetting some costs as the group seeks private grant funding. The third would close the Archives and relocate records and documents to the Harvin Clarendon County Library while returning some donated memorabilia and items to families.
Historical Society leaders said they believe the first two options are not realistic.
Carole Summers, a member of the Historical Society, said the group’s museum space, which is owned by the Bank of Clarendon, is not a permanent or practical location for the Archives’ full collection and that taking over the Archives building itself would be financially out of reach even if the county were to assist with some expenses.
Historical Society President Lee Reaves said the organization also fears the loss of public access to local records and historical materials if the Archives closes.
“If we lose that building, if we lose that warehousing, we’ll never get it back. Never,” Reaves said.
Ackerman said the county needs to remove the building from its budget, citing major repair needs and a lack of handicap accessibility. He said the Archives costs the county about $160,000 annually and described the facility as underused, saying employees told him it averages about one visitor per week.
However, Historical Society leaders disputed both claims.
The most recent budget page available on the county website, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, lists County Archives under Recreation and Culture with a final budgeted total of $103,770, including $97,610 for salaries and related costs and $6,160 for operations. It was not immediately clear whether Ackerman’s higher estimate includes additional building, maintenance or other county expenses not reflected in that line item.
Summers and Reaves also challenged the idea that the Archives sees minimal use, saying walk-in traffic does not reflect the volume of phone calls, emails, letters and research requests handled by staff, including genealogy and cemetery inquiries from both local families and out-of-town researchers.
Another point of contention is what would happen to items that aren’t moved if the Archives were to close.
Ackerman said some records and documents would go to the library and that some donated memorabilia could be returned to families. Historical Society leaders, however, said they remain concerned about what could happen to materials not relocated and disputed the idea that items owned by the Historical Society could simply be returned or otherwise redistributed.
The two sides also differ on how the issue has been framed internally.
Ackerman said some stored items had been described as needing to be sorted through to determine if they’re still needed, while Historical Society leaders said they object to any characterization that any materials stored at the facility are simply “junk.”
Despite those differences, Reaves acknowledged the building does have structural needs.
“There are some structural issues that have to be addressed,” Reaves said. “It doesn’t have to be fixed tomorrow, but we don’t need to lose it in May either.”
Historical Society leaders said they are now working to arrange tours of the Archives for Clarendon County Council members in hopes of demonstrating the facility’s value before any final decision is made.
The Manning Times is continuing to report on the proposed closure, with calls scheduled with Clarendon County Council Chairman Jay Johnson and a follow-up meeting planned with county administration.
This story is ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
