‘Tough choices’: City of Georgetown proposes $50,000 cut to Kaminski House Museum funding

GEORGETOWN, SC (WMBF) - The city of Georgetown is proposing a cut to the Kaminski House Museum’s annual funding, a move the mayor said is necessary.

The proposed 2026-2027 budget would cut $50,000 from the city’s annual support to the Friends of Kaminski House.

The city said the Kaminski House Museum requested $210,000, and the city has $160,000 budgeted for the organization.

The Kaminski House Museum sits on historic Front Street and overlooks the Sampit River in Georgetown. It features historical exhibits, antiques, educational programs and special events, including weddings.

“As the new mayor and city council prepare their first budget, tough choices must be made. There are several issues that need to be addressed; halting the dramatic rise in utilities, a critical housing shortage, a lack of living wage jobs and the redevelopment of the Steel Mill, Paper Mill and Seaport,” Doyle said. “Therefore, in order to balance the city’s budget, the city must draw down its reserves.”

According to a Friday letter from Mayor Jay Doyle, the city’s original purpose in supporting the Kaminski House Museum was to help the museum gain its footing and become self-sufficient.

Doyle said in the 23 years since the Friends of Kaminski House organization began managing the museum, the organization has grown.

The organization rents office space for three full-time and one part-time employee, plus accounting and payroll contractors, Doyle said.

According to Doyle, the organization has expanded its revenue stream to support its operations and recently completed remodeling a gift shop. Doyle said the renovation will add to the organization’s income.

Doyle also said that additional ways to become self-sufficient have been presented to the organization, and he hopes they will be implemented to address any shortfalls.

“The Kaminski House also has reserves which they can draw from to assist in their transition to self-sufficiency,” Doyle said.

Doyle said the cuts are part of a broader effort to restore affordability for the Georgetown community.

He added that with the “excellent” staff and volunteers running the Kaminski House, the museum will survive and thrive.

WMBF News has reached out to the Kaminski House Museum for comment on the letter.

The Georgetown City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on June 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Court, located at 2222 Highmarket St.

The regular council meeting will immediately follow.

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