From the meticulous care of artifacts and documents to the vibrant storytelling that brings them to life, the work of the Commission is an intricate, often challenging, yet profoundly rewarding endeavor. We are the guardians of our collective memory, the interpreters of our shared story, and the essential architects of the experiences that educate, inspire, and connect us.
We are fortunate to have a diverse team that believes in the significance of our local history. Their talents, combined with their love of the past, serve as the foundation of our operations. Our goal is two-fold. 1) To assist our citizens in reconnecting with their past. 2) To preserve, protect, and promote our rich Darlington County history.
Brian E. Gandy
Historian & Director
Is a native of the Antioch Community of Hartsville and has been highly active in local historical circles for over 35 years. Brian has been with the Historical Commission for a little over a decade, during which he has become a sought-after speaker on local history and genealogy.
Under Brian’s leadership, the Historical Commission has seen significant growth, including an 18,000-square-foot expansion of its campus and a substantial increase in both artifact and archival holdings.
Caleb Ard
Assistant Director – Collections
Caleb Ard was born and raised locally in Darlington County. He graduated from Hartsville High School in 2019 and graduated with a degree in History from the College of Charleston in 2023. As Curator of Collections, he has the pleasure of maintaining the artifact collection and working with donors. He particularly enjoys piecing together the stories behind artifacts, with each artifact providing a unique view into the past and the people connected with them.
Ann Chapman
Assistant Director – Operations
Ann, a resident of the Birdtown community of Hartsville, joined the Commission in 2018. In addition to general operations, she serves as the primary point of contact for patrons seeking digital services. Ann’s belief in the importance of everyone’s historical narrative makes her the perfect person to assist folks in researching their ancestry and history.
Nannie Diggs
Research Clerk
Nannie, a local of Florence, joined the Historical Commission in 2014 and works directly with patrons researching their genealogy and local history. When not in the Doris Gandy Research Room assisting patrons, Nannie is hidden away scanning material. Over the last 10 years, she has digitized over 3 terabytes of material, helping make the collections available to the public.
Jody Ogilvie
Research Clerk
Jody, a Hartsville resident, joined the Commission in 2023 and also works directly with patrons researching their genealogy and local history. However, with a unique skill set and steady hands, Jody was perfect to manage our in-house conservation lab. She maliciously works to preserve documents within the collection, offsetting the effects of time, age, temperature, and improper handling.
Doris G. Gandy
Historian & Director, Emeritus
Doris is our past historian who faithfully dedicated 27 years of service and over 10,000 volunteer hours since her retirement to preserving Darlington County’s rich history. Over the years, Doris served as Assistant Director, Historian, Director, and Chairman of the Board for the Historical Commission. Her tenure is marked by a profound push to organize the collection. Her efforts made the collections functional and accessible.
In recognition of her years of tireless work, the Research Room was named in her honor during the Museum’s grand opening celebration on May 18, 2024.
Volunteers
The lifeblood of our organization.
Our volunteers fill the gap that government staffing cannot address, providing essential support for the Historical Commission. They help us in building stronger, more connected relationships with our county communities and establish deeper trust among residents. Each of them possesses diverse skills and perspectives that invigorate the Commission and have led to many new initiatives with a direct impact on our operations. Our volunteers are vital to our success and sustainability.
Interested in Volunteering? Click here to learn about the opportunities available.
Designed by the DCHC&M