Explore Our Traveling Exhibits
Upstate Archives exists to help teach the people of upstate SC more about their rich, local history by bringing parts of that history directly to them, in the places that they visit on a daily basis. Take time to look at our exhibits and where you can find them.
The Judge Willie T. Smith Jr.
Exhibit
Our first exhibit of its kind, the personal items of the first African American judge in Greenville SC, Willie T. Smith Jr. His invaluable service as an attorney during the civil rights era, as well as his years of dedicated service as a judge at the Greenville county family court, are more than enough to warrant an exhibit in his honor which we hope to find a permanent home for before the end of this year.
One of two judges robes worn by Willie T. Smith Jr. Embroidered on the collar are his initials W.T.S. These are the robes he wore as a judge at the Greenville county family court.
2011-2014
Degree
University Name
A table with relevant items belonging to and representing Willie T. Smith Jr. Such items include his graduating yearbook from South Carolina State College, an award given to him by the school board of trustees, a program from the Columbia Lawyers Association, and a Community Leaders of America 1968 edition book which features his historic service as a civil rights attorney. Also included are pamphlets that were owned by him, one titled "The History of Blacks in Greenville County, South Carolina" and the other titled "Greenville's Big Idea". Both are chronological synopsises and historical re-accountings of what life was like for African Americans in the time before and during the civil rights era. While none of the content is directly related to Willie T. Smith Jr., the disparities articulated in the re-accountings are inseparably linked to everything wrong with Greenville that Willie T. Smith Jr. spent his legal career fighting against, and having them represented beside his more personal items perfectly encapsulates the dichotomy of his legacy.
