Bluegrass, Classic Country & Gospel Music
Center Section Performance Hall at the Belton Depot
On the Square, Belton
Saturday, May 10, 2008
5:00 PM
Admission $5

Backyard Traditional Music Party

Poster  [PDF file]

Shape note singing, gospel music, classic country, and bluegrass groups will be featured on Saturday at the historic Belton Train Depot during the Backyard Traditional Music Party.

The South Carolina Traditional Arts Network, the Belton Area Museum Association, and the National Endowment for the Arts are promoting this event with traditional musical artists on Saturday, May 10.  Groups and individuals will be playing on the docks, on the green space surrounding the depot, and in the performance hall throughout the evening beginning at 5:00 PM.

The Community Workshop Choir, an African-American Shape-note singing group, will start off the performance.  The 18th Century tradition of learning to sing with seven differently shaped notes is alive and well in Anderson County due to the efforts of Lena Davis.  Her parents, Luther and I.E. Valentine Davis, promoted this tradition by teaching each of their five children the time-honored craft.  In the 1940's, their father led the group and their mother accompanied them on a pump organ at concerts throughout the state.  In their parents' honor, the siblings continue carrying on this tradition by performing, lecturing, and presenting at locations throughout the Southeast.  The harmonious joyful sound resulting from their performances will warm listeners' hearts.

In the lineup on the main stage are J D Brown and the Original Rowdy Friends, J Max McKee and Tina, the South Town Band, Janey Turner, Steve McGaha and Joseph Greco.  These bands have all played previously at the depot to much admiration and acclaim from their audiences.

Dee J's from Belton will be providing delicious food for a nominal fee.

Children's activities are planned.

Admission is $5 at the door and will be verified by a stamped mark.

For more information or to participate as a jammer, please contact Norma Hughes-Smith at 864 915-5074.

Concerts are held each 2nd and 4th Saturday nights at 6:00 PM.  For more information, contact Norma Hughes-Smith at 864 243-0082 or Shirah Heller, Depot Director/Museum Curator at 864 338-7400.

Belton Train Depot Wins
Historic Preservation Award
March 27, 2008

The Belton Area Museum Association, Anderson County, and the Belton Area Partnership were presented with the Heritage Tourism Award recognizing these organizations for their use of historic resources in promoting tourism in South Carolina through the restoration of the Historic Belton Train Depot.  The Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation handed out the 2008 Heritage Tourism Award at the opening session of the Landmark and Preservation Conference in Greenville.

"Restoring the Belton Train Depot was important to our community because the railroad is why Belton was founded," said Shirah Heller, Director of the Belton Area Museum Association.

A museum and venue for bluegrass music for many years, the almost century-old train depot underwent renovation in 2006 to restore its flooring, termite-damaged and plagued with asbestos, and tackle other problems.  Inspections also revealed needs for renovating the HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems.

Thanks to grants from the S.C. Budget and Control Board and the Anderson Area Transportation Study, and matching funds from Anderson County, this project was made possible.  Local individuals and businesses donated thousands of dollars in monies, in-kind services and resources to ensure the success of the renovation.

With new hardwood flooring, and HVAC system that meets museum standards, handicap accessibility, repaired and newly painted walls and updates to the plumbing and electrical systems, the Belton Train Depot was rededicated on October 26, 2006.  A grand re-opening on March 27, 2007 featured food, games, period attire and tours of the renovated space for the nearly 500 attendees.

"Since the renovations have been completed, the depot has become an even greater asset to our community," said Heller.

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Contact Shirah Heller at the Ruth Drake Museum (338-7400) for more information.

New Museum Curator & Depot Manager Hired

The Belton Area Museum Association is pleased to announce the hiring of a new museum curator and depot manager.

Shirah Marshall Heller took on the responsibilities at the facility on August 15, 2007.  She will curate the collection and create new exhibits for the Ruth Drake Museum and the South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame and will manage the day-to-day operations of the Center Section and the Junction Exhibition Gallery.

A 1998 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Ms. Heller worked as a senior support specialist for the Blackbaud Company located in Charleston, SC.  She also made extensive contacts in the state political world as a page and liaison during her years in college.  Since her return to Belton this summer, she has sought a position that would utilize her public relations, organizational and fund-raising skills.

"When the job became available at the Depot, I knew it would be a perfect fit for me at this time in my life:  part time, serving the community, touching on my love for my hometown and my deep interest in history," remarked Heller.

She has many goals for the organization.  "I would like to help BAMA and the museums become a focal point of our community by offering programming, classes, and tours for both Beltonians and those who visit our city."

"As Shirah is a native Beltonian, we are excited that she will bring a sense of pride and dedication to the community and that she will implement the Board's directives," commented John Wiley, President of the BAMA Board.

Ms. Heller may be contacted for information about tours of the facility, rental of the Center Section, ideas for exhibitions, or acquisition of artifacts at the museum's phone number 338-7400.

Ruth Drake Museum Wins Award
for "Heritage Days at the Depot"

The Belton Area Museum Association is proud to announce that The Ruth Drake Museum is now an award-winning museum.  The Belton Area Museum Association has been awarded the top honor in the state among member museums in South Carolina.

Each year, the SC Federation of Museums selects an organization to receive its Award of Achievement.  For hosting the event "Heritage Days at the Depot," organizing and manning the event solely by volunteers, obtaining significant patronage from business partners and foundations, and providing the community with a quality artistic and historical experience, the Belton Area Museum Association was recognized as the most deserving of all museums who had applied for the honor.

"Your organization exemplifies what this award was designed for," stated selection committee member Susan Turpin Illner.  "It is presented to museums who have created an exhibit, program, or publication which demonstrates excellent utilization of the resources available to that institution.  It's amazing that you were able to accomplish this three-day event with just volunteers."

The award was accepted by Depot Manager/Museum Curator Lou Bolton at the annual spring conference in March 2007.

"It was just breath-taking to have the selection committee announce that our little museum beat out the big institutions like the Charleston Museum, York County Museum, and the SC State Museum for this honor," said Ms. Bolton.  "They even gave us a standing ovation.  I was just thrilled!"

The plaque announcing this honor is proudly displayed at the Ruth Drake Museum and all subsequent press releases can advertise "Heritage Days at the Depot" as an award-winning event.

"Heritage Days at the Depot" was a three-day event (Oct. 5 -7, 2006), run solely by volunteers, showcased the talents of 12 folk and traditional skill artisans.  On Thursday and Friday, 1148 teachers, parent volunteers, and children in grades 1-3 in Anderson County School Districts attended sessions with various artisans.  On Saturday, over 7,000 people attended informal discussion and demonstration sessions.

"Heritage Days at the Depot" has helped to foster in our community a greater understanding and appreciation for the traditional arts and skills of our forefathers.

Congratulations are due to Alison Darby and the Board Members and volunteers for this well-deserved honor and thanks for all the hard work, time, and imagination that a project like this involves.

Please look forward to "Heritage Days" again on October 4, 5, & 6, 2007.