ANDERSON, SC - Each year since 2003, the Anderson County Museum has recognized and inducted into the Hall of Fame people who have made an outstanding contribution to Anderson County, its citizens and its way of life. Museum Director Beverly Childs announced today that Albert Mauldin Carpenter and Dr. Waller Hunn Nardin, Sr. are the 2008 class of the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Carpenter was born in Broadway Creek area of Anderson County in 1871. After moving to Anderson in 1884 he became interested in the newspaper business which became his lifelong career. He first learned the printing trade working as an office boy for the old Anderson Journal. After working for several years at other newspapers he returned to Anderson in 1903 as head of The Daily Mail. In that year, Mr. Carpenter became a charter member of The Anderson Chamber of Commerce and was a member of its Education Committee. The establishment of Anderson College (now Anderson University) was greatly to his credit.

At the time of his death in 1926, he was editor of The Fayetteville Observer in Fayetteville, N.C. A tribute in the Anderson Daily Mail stated that Albert Mauldin Carpenter “ever worked to the betterment of his community” and “left a heritage of loyalty and devotion to his hometown.”

Dr. Waller Hunn Nardin, Sr., was born in Charleston, S.C. in 1837 and spent most of his life in Anderson as a respected family doctor and businessman who was very devoted to this community. He was married to Lucy Hammond and had one son Dr. Waller Hunn Nardin, Jr.

A graduate of the medical school of the University of the City of New York in 1860, he returned to Anderson where he set up his medical practice. His accomplishments in the medical field were well thought of by his peers. The March 1992 issue of The Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association featured as its cover story an account of Dr. Nardin’s successful treatment of a case of traumatic epilepsy through cerebral surgery in 1896.

Dr. Nardin was always involved with business and civic enterprises in Anderson and served as a city alderman. In 1882, he was in office as Intendant when he helped obtain the city’s incorporation from the state legislature, and finished the year as Anderson’s first Mayor.

The Anderson County Museum Advisory Committee selected these two prominent Andersonians from 26 nominees using a point system. Judging is through documentation of the candidate’s accomplishments in shaping Anderson County, national or world history and nominees must be deceased for ten years. Those not inducted will remain eligible for consideration for induction in subsequent years. Applications are now being accepted for the Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

The induction will take place on Saturday, May 3rd at 1:30 p.m. as part of International Museum Month. Other activities on May 3rd will include the unveiling of the Sally Rose Doll House and the Humble Beginnings Exhibit which begins the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Anderson County Museum. This will also be the last chance to see the Anderson Trophy before it travels to Florida for twelve months.

The Museum is located at 202 East Greenville Street, in downtown Anderson. Gallery and store hours are Tuesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Past Hall of Fame Recipients:

Class of 2003

• Pearl Rodgers Cochran Fant
• Ellison Adger Smyth
• Corporal Freddie Stowers
• William Church Whitner
• Anne Austin Young

Class of 2004

• Annie Dove Denmark
• Wilton Earle Hall
• Olin DeWitt Talmadge Johnston
• Elliot Crayton McCants
• Olga Veleria Pruitt
• George Fredrick Tolly

Class of 2005

• Thomas Rucker Gaines
• Virginia “Jennie” Kramer Gilmer

Class of 2006

• Robert Anderson
• James Rogers Young

Class of 2007

• James Lawrence Orr
• Callie Stringer Rainey

To be inducted May 3, 2008

• Albert Mauldin Carpenter
• Dr. Waller Hunn Nardin, Sr.

Upcoming events:

• April 5 - Ducks Afloat, fundraiser for March of Dimes around the Robert Anderson Memorial Fountain, 2 to 4 p.m.
• May 3 - International Museum Month Celebration, 1 to 4 p.m.
• October 25 - 25th Anniversary of the Anderson County Museum, several events throughout the day