Celebrating 50 Years of History and Culture: Georgetown Declares April 25th as Jim Fitch Day

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The historic waterfront city of Georgetown, South Carolina, paused to honor a local legend who has spent five decades anchoring its cultural landscape. The Mayor of Georgetown officially declared April 25, 2026, as Jim Fitch Day, commemorating Mr. Fitch's extraordinary 50th anniversary as the executive director of The Rice Museum. [1, 2]

To mark this momentous milestone, community members, local leaders, and art enthusiasts gathered for a special celebration. The afternoon featured an elegant string duet, a curated spread of hors d'oeuvres, and the formal presentation of the mayoral declaration by the City of Georgetown. The local reception mirrored a broader wave of gratitude echoing from the state capitol, where the South Carolina General Assembly introduced and adopted House Resolution 5540. The resolution, which can be viewed in detail on the South Carolina Legislature Online platform, formally recognized Mr. Fitch's lifelong dedication to preserving Lowcountry heritage.

Jim Fitch’s journey to the helm of South Carolina's museum community spans continents and prestigious institutions. A native of Southern California, Mr. Fitch earned two degrees from Wake Forest University before extensively studying art and history abroad. His international academic pursuits took him to Fergusson College of Deccan University in Pune, India, and later to Venice, Italy, where he studied under Dr. Terisio Pignatti, the director of the Correr Museum. While residing in Venice, he lived adjacent to the legendary Peggy Guggenheim, giving him a rare opportunity to study her world-renowned collection of 20th-century art.

Mr. Fitch brought this global expertise back to the Palmetto State, stepping into his role at the museum in 1975. Over the next fifty years, his vision transformed the institution from a small thematic space into a cornerstone of regional preservation. His first monumental project was overseeing the recovery, preservation, and installation of the Brown’s Ferry Vessel. Dating back to the 1730s, this merchant craft holds the monumental distinction of being the oldest American-made wooden vessel ever recovered. Serving as a key exhibit on American colonial manufacture, its retrieval remains one of the most important nautical discoveries in the United States. [3, 4, 5, 6]

Under his steadfast leadership, the museum campus expanded dramatically. His tenure saw the installation of Lafayette Park adjacent to the Town Clock, the acquisition and meticulous restoration of the historic Kaminski Hardware Building, and the creation of the museum’s Herb Garden and Herb Society. He has continuously pushed the boundaries of public history, producing numerous films, lectures, and exhibitions, including the acclaimed presentation "The Mystery of San Miguel," which celebrated Spanish maritime influence in early South Carolina history. 

Beyond his administrative leadership, Jim Fitch has long been celebrated as an educator and a creator in his own right. He has shared his knowledge for many years as an adjunct faculty member at Coker College and is a highly accomplished watercolor painter. As highlighted by updates shared on The Rice Museum Facebook Page, his artistic vision has been central to cultivating a vibrant community for local craftsmen and visual artists along the Hammock Coast.

The year 2026 brings a double anniversary for the director. In addition to his 50 years at the museum, the community is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his 2001 publication, Pass the Pilau, Please. The popular book remains a definitive history of rice planting in South Carolina, paired with a cherished collection of traditional Lowcountry rice recipes. [7, 8, 9, 10]

Mr. Fitch’s career has previously earned him some of the state's highest accolades, including the Governor’s Heritage Tourism Award and the Governor’s Award in the Humanities. Jim Fitch Day serves as a heartfelt reminder of how one individual's passion and half-century of service can preserve a community's soul for generations to come.

If you would like to support the ongoing preservation work or explore the special anniversary exhibits curated in his honor, consider donating, planning a visit, or becoming a member through the official Rice Museum Website.

1. https://scmaritimemuseum.org/browns-ferry-vessel-model-to-be-unveiled/

2. https://scmaritimemuseum.org/peek-into-history-through-new-model-boat-display/

3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/murrellsinlet/posts/2537414423366553/

4. https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/sc-institute-archaeology-and-anthropology/divisions/maritime_research/project_publications/shipwrecks/brownsferryvessel/

5. https://mountpleasantmagazine.com/2025/sc-carolina-coast/hammock-coast/georgetown/sunken-history-shipwrecks-of-georgetown-county/

6. https://scmaritimemuseum.org/browns-ferry-vessel-model-to-be-unveiled/

7. https://www.deseret.com/1992/8/26/19001609/18th-century-ship-makes-final-voyage-to-museum/

8. http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/georgetown/S10817722015/index.htm

9. https://www.facebook.com/groups/pawleysislandsc/posts/2273892520082295/

10. https://www.postandcourier.com/georgetown/news/brown-s-ferry-vessel-model-to-make-debut-at-museum/article_6b2677ca-3e9a-5970-ac8e-0d4fde18ddba.html