Topper Site Exhibit Opens on Allendale Campus, Boosts Local Heritage

As of December 28, 2025, USC Salkehatchie is hosting a permanent exhibit of artifacts from the Topper Site on its Allendale campus, marking the first time materials from this nationally significant archaeological location are on permanent public display in Allendale County. The collection includes stone artifacts recovered from deeply buried deposits in sand and alluvial layers, material that has contributed to academic debate about early human activity in the Southeastern United States and questions about pre Clovis occupation.

The exhibit is housed in resources connected to the Salkehatchie campus library and exhibit spaces and is built to serve students, residents and visitors. By situating Topper artifacts where they are accessible to the public, the campus aims to connect local audiences to a site that has drawn visiting researchers and students for decades. The display translates technical archaeological findings into a community asset and makes Allendale County a more visible stop for scholars and cultural tourists.

The local impact is practical and economic as well as intellectual. Permanent public access to Topper materials supports curriculum development for USC Salkehatchie and local schools, creates opportunities for guided visits and classroom tie ins, and increases the county s appeal to visitors seeking both heritage and research oriented tourism. The campus already lists other community resources such as the Carolina Theatre and community classes, and the Topper exhibit strengthens that cultural hub function by offering a museum style experience tied directly to Allendale County s scientific legacy.

Long term, the public exhibition of Topper artifacts can aid preservation efforts and justify partnerships for conservation, research funding and infrastructure investment. The materials from deeply buried sand and alluvial deposits remain central to ongoing scientific discussion, which can bring grant activity and visiting scholars to the county. That scholarly attention can translate into economic activity if local leaders and the university coordinate programming and visitor services.

For residents and visitors seeking more information about hours, special tours or exhibit availability, contact USC Salkehatchie through the campus website or by calling the campus library or Leadership Institute. The permanent exhibit places the Topper Site at the center of Allendale County s cultural and scientific identity and offers a lasting resource for education, tourism and community pride.