Mission Statement - To collect and preserve material related to the prehistory, natural history, history and culture of Horry County; to interpret and to create exhibits of such materials and to prepare educational programs related to them for presentation to the public, particularly the citizens of Horry County, South Carolina, and to operate a facility for this purpose.

History - The Horry County Museum was created by an ordinance of Horry County Council in 1979 and is governed by a Board of Trustees of eleven members. The staff of the museum consists of a director, deputy director/curator, educational coordinator, and an office assistant and operates on an annual budget appropriated by County Council for fiscal year 1998/99 of $198,432. The museum is currently located on the corner of 5th Ave. and Main Street in the old Conway Post Office building built in 1935 and is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Departmental Information - The Horry County Museum currently serves the people Horry County and its visitors through the presentation of exhibits on the history, prehistory, and natural history of the county at the museum's main location and through the presentation of out-reach exhibits and programs in various locations throughout the county. The majority of the museum's collections are stored at the Main Street location and included a highly acclaimed photographic collection as well as historic artifacts documenting the unique history and culture of Horry County.

Goals And Objectives - The major goals of the Horry County Museum include the continued increase of services to the people of Horry County and to the many visitors to this area each year. These goals involve the expansion of the museum's annual Quilt Gala that has attracted national attention to the area and the establishment of an Horry County Museum web site. Long range goals of the museum will include coordinating resource development within the county that will help local communities tell the story of their own diverse and rich histories. Continuing work with the local schools will allow classroom teachers to apply their instruction to local history and natural history as well.

Growth And Development - Since March of 1981 when the Horry County Museun first opened its doors to the public the museum has shown outstanding growth both through visitors and public support. For fiscal year 1998 - 1999 the annual attendance for the museum will reach 60,000 with a combined outreach impact of 250,000. In 1993 and 1994 the museum was listed in the top twenty attractions for South Carolina and has been recognized by professional associations for excellence in exhibits. The museum has also set a standard for value to the tax payers of Horry County with one of the lowest cost ratios in the southeastern United States.