South Carolina H 5540: Jim Fitch 50th anniversary as executive director of the Rice Museum

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5540 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 16, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5540

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Jim Fitch, executive director 
of the Rice Museum, and to congratulate him upon the occasion of his fiftieth 
anniversary of directing the museum.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House are pleased to learn that Jim Fitch is celebrating his 
fiftieth anniversary as the executive director of the Rice Museum in Georgetown 
on April 25, 2026; and

Whereas, a native of 
Southern California, Mr. Fitch received two degrees from Wake Forest University 
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has studied art and history extensively 
abroad, first at Furgusson College of Deccan University in Pune, India, and 
then as a student of Dr. Terisio Pignatti, director of the prestigious Correr 
Museum in Venice, Italy. While residing in Venice, Mr. Fitch lived beside Peggy 
Guggenheim, and had the opportunity to study her important collection of 
twentieth century art; and

Whereas, Mr. Fitch has 
authored many publications and lectures, and he has produced a number of films 
and other commissioned works. He has taught for many years as an adjunct 
faculty member of Coker College, and he is also an accomplished watercolor 
painter himself; and

Whereas, Mr. Fitch 
began his career as the executive director of the Rice Museum in 1975. His 
first major project was an installation concerning the raising and recovery of 
the Brown's Ferry Vessel, a shipwrecked colonial vessel, which was begun in 
1979 and finalized in 1991; and

Whereas, during his 
tenure, Mr. Fitch has overseen the installation of many renovations and 
projects in the museum, including the installation of Lafayette Park adjacent 
to the Town Clock; acquisition and restoration of the Kaminski Hardware 
Building; the creation of the Herb Garden and the establishment of the Herb 
Society; the presentation of "The Mystery of San Miguel," a celebration of 
Spanish influence in South Carolina; and many other important developments in 
the museum's history; and

Whereas, in 2001, Mr. 
Fitch published "Pass the Pilau, Please," a history of rice planting in South 
Carolina, as well as a collection of Lowcountry rice recipes. Mr. Fitch is 
celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of his book in 
2026; and

Whereas, over the 
years, Mr. Fitch has received a number of honors and awards, including the highly 
esteemed Governor's Heritage Tourism Award and the Governor's Award in 
Humanities; and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House greatly value the dedication and commitment that Mr. 
Fitch has shown in preserving the rich heritage of the Palmetto State and in 
serving the people and the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, recognize and honor Jim Fitch, executive director of the 
Rice Museum, and congratulate him upon the occasion of his fiftieth anniversary 
of directing the museum.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jim Fitch. 

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This web page was last updated on April 16, 2026 at 10:52 AM