Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Downtown Arts Corridor
| | Eastern SC Heritage Region | |
The Florence Downtown Arts Corridor is the center for arts in Florence. The Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center which opened in 2011 is a $34 million facility, featuring a mainstage to entertain 850, an amphitheatre, and a flexible black box space. The exterior is constructed of Winnsboro granite and Georgia White Cherokee marble, while the interior lobby design calls to mind the signature trumpet horn of Pee Dee jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie.
The Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library is an impressive 83,000 sq. ft. building, featuring classical columns, etched windows and marble exterior. This $17 million project, completed in 2004, initiated the revitalization of downtown. Ongoing art exhibits are held in the Dr. N. Lee Morris Gallery of the library.
The Florence Little Theatre holds seasonal productions in its $10 million facility, providing live theatre entertainment by local thespians.
The Florence Museum holds a collection of artifacts from the American Civil War through World War I, as well as original artwork by Florence native William H. Johnson, Pueblo pottery, ethnographic art, and Asian
this page online
[Captions:]
The acoustic design of the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center is outstanding.
Original works by William H. Johnson are found at the Florence Museum.
The library is one of the many project funded through the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation which was created in 1995 with funds derived from the sale of a local not-for-profit hospital.
Florence Little Theatre lights up for evening performances.
Erected by South Carolina Office of Tourism.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 2011.
Location. 34° 11.72′ N, 79° 45.969′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. It is at the intersection of South Dargan Street and West Cheves Street (South Carolina Road S-21-92), on the right when traveling south on South Dargan Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 W Cheves St, Florence
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Florence Civic Improvement Society Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); McLeod Medical Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Propellers, CSS Peedee (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Swept yards (about 300 feet away); The Lorax: Unless (about 300 feet away); Bell, Florence City Hall (about 300 feet away); James Allen (about 600 feet away); Wilson School / Wilson High School (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 33 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
