Valued collection transferred to Seneca

The bulk of a museum collection has been transferred from a mansion east of Columbia to the city of Seneca, and Seneca officials are excited.  The city and its museums are announcing the acquisition of more than 3,000 pieces that include furniture and textiles that had been kept for 19 years in the Kensington Mansion in Eastover until its owner closed the mansion to the public.  The collection, Scarborough-Hamer Collection, covers 19th and early 20th century periods.  Some of the artifacts were sent to Historic Columbia and the South Carolina State Museum.  Terms of the arrangement call for Seneca to ensure that the collections remains together and will continue to be exhibited to the public.  Seneca employee Nick McKinney will serve as curator of the collection.  The collection includes styles popular during the Victorian period–including Federal, Rococo Revival, Renaissance Revival, and American Empire.  Other items include glass, porcelain, housewares, linens, art and books.  Plans call for the collection to be introduced to the public through exhibition in the Seneca city museums early next year.