McCelvey Center
Introduction
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The McCelvey Center is an important historical, educational, and cultural landmark in York County. It consists of two buildings, the historic Yorkville Female Academy building, which was erected in 1852, and the adjacent building, which was built in 1952. The old academy building houses the Lowry Family Theater, which hosts a variety of events and performances throughout the year and an annual music event called the Southern Sound Series. The building next door houses the Historical Center of York County and the Southern Revolutionary War Institute. The McCelvey Center is operated by an organization called the Culture & Heritage Museums.
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The McCelvey Center campus consists of this historic building, the former Yorkville Female Academy, and the building next door, which houses the York County Historical Center and the Southern Revolutionary War Institute.
Backstory and Context
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McCelvy Center
Established by Bethel Presbytery, the Yorkville Female Academy was one of the best women's schools in the state. The building could house up to 300 boarding students. It is unclear how long the school operated (it was closed during the Civil War) but the building was used for educational purposes until 1987 and at some point it came into the possession of the York School District One. The McCelvy Center opened in 1987 and has operated as community and performing arts center ever since. The Lowry Theater, which seats 500, has also been used for high school concerts and graduations.
Historical Center of York County
The Historical Center of York County, which was built in 1989, houses the collections, archives and historical objects of the Culture & Heritage Museums. Some of the materials include maps, photographs, county court records, newspapers, rare books, and family records. The Center offers opportunities to conduct genealogical and historical research.
Founded in 2006, the Southern Revolutionary War Institute is dedicated to the preservation and research of the American Revolution in the southern colonies, with particular emphasis in the Carolina backcountry. The Institute uses the Culture & Heritage Museums' materials housed in the building.
Sources
"Historical Center." Culture & Heritage Museums. Accessed June 28, 2021. http://chmuseums.org/history-hc.
"History." Culture & Heritage Museums. Accessed June 28, 2021. http://chmuseums.org/history-mc.
"Southern Revolutionary War Institute." Culture & Heritage Museums. Accessed June 28, 2021. http://chmuseums.org/southern-rev-war-institute-mc/
McCelvey Center