The Samuel Elliott White Gallery 

The Samuel Elliott White Gallery houses the museum’s permanent exhibit, Fort Mill History Through Artist’s Eyes

The Samuel Elliott White gallery provides exhibits, photographs, artifacts, and local artist’s renderings of Fort Mill history including a timeline displaying the people and events which shaping this region. Displays include the Catawba Indians, early settlers, and the textile industry, especially the White/Springs influence.

Samuel Elliott White was patriarch of a large family that would positively impact Fort Mill for generations. He was born at the White Homestead in 1837 and attended the Citadel in Charleston before signing up to fight for the Confederacy. Upon his return to Fort Mill, he turned his attention to several successful business ventures, including cotton production and banking, but it was his creation of Fort Mill Manufacturing Company (forerunner of Springs Industries) in 1887 that would change the fortunes of an entire town. The precursor to Springs Industries and the Springmaid brand, the new mill brought employment to thousands and a ready buyer to cotton farmers in the region.

His son-in-law, Leroy Springs, and his grandson, Elliott White Springs, would take what he started and turn the company into a worldwide brand leader. Captain White, as he was known after his Civil War service, was responsible for planning and financing the development of Confederate Park and its monuments there. He believed the monuments were a positive way of acknowledging and honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women of all races who gave their best during tumultuous times. White died in 1911 and is buried at Fort Mill’s Unity Cemetery.

The Samuel Elliot White Gallery was named in his honor by the Close family.