Football memorabilia sought for exhibition

I would like to acquaint your readers with an upcoming project now starting at the South Carolina State Museum. It will produce an exhibition about the history of football in the Palmetto State. Scheduled to open in July-August 2008, this exhibit will trace the game's development from its early beginnings in the late 19th century to the end of the 20th century.

In order to make this exhibition come alive and provide a new perspective on one of this nation's favorite sports, the museum is seeking artifacts, photographs and promotional material from all periods and all levels of the game.

Artifacts, such as footballs, uniforms, equipment, posters, tickets and booster clothes and related material, are just some of the objects we seek. This exhibition will follow the game's development from the most amateur youth levels to the high school, small college, major college and professional ranks. Our focus is on South Carolina and the players who are from this state, as well as the coaches and benefactors of the game. We are interested in both donations and loans from the smallest organizations and schools to major institutions across the state.

Our plans are to have this exhibition up through February 2009. You can reach me at 803-898-4942 or at fritz.hamer@museum.state.sc.us.

Fritz Hamer

Curator of History

S.C. State Museum

Columbia