Sharing a Love of History in Lancaster

At Chief Buildings’ Lancaster plant, Shelley Lowery works as a Scheduler. Outside of work, she has spent years studying the past and helping others learn more about it.

Shelley holds a master’s degree in Archaeology and Heritage and has been involved in archaeology for about 20 years. For the past 10, she has volunteered as a lab assistant at the Native American Studies Center, part of the University of South Carolina Lancaster.

Recently, she took on a new role at the center: Guest Archaeologist. Members of the public brought in items they had found, and Shelley helped identify the artifacts and answer questions about them. It was her first time serving in that role for an NASC event, giving her an opportunity to share her knowledge directly with people curious about their discoveries.

For Shelley, that connection with the public is a big part of what makes the center special. Its events help people learn about Native American history and archaeology, particularly the history of local tribes. They also give people a place to come together and learn from one another.

“I personally am not Native American, but the NASC have made the highest effort to make everyone, worker, guest, or volunteer, feel welcome,” Shelley shared.

That welcome has been part of her experience throughout a decade of volunteering. She appreciates the center’s commitment to making its knowledge available to the community and bringing people together, whether or not they are Native American.

Shelley’s involvement reflects something we value at Chief: relationships grow when people give their time, share what they know, and treat others with dignity and respect. Our Core Values help guide how we work together, and that same care has a place in the communities we call home.

Through her volunteer work, Shelley puts those principles into practice. She brings years of study and experience to a place where someone can walk in with an unfamiliar object and leave knowing a little more about its history.

“It’s so important for organizations and people to have a relationship with the local community,” Shelley said, “thereby allowing a thriving, mutually beneficial relationship to evolve.”

For Shelley, that relationship has grown over 10 years of showing up, helping in the lab, and now sharing her knowledge in a new way. We’re glad to recognize the time and care she gives to her Lancaster community.