BAMA manages several museums and a community space and offers activities and events, most free to the public. The Belton Area Museum Association operates the Ruth Drake Museum, the SC Tennis Hall of Fame, the North End Gallery, a gift shop and a performance venue all housed in the historic Belton Train Depot.

The South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, located in the historic Belton Depot on Main Street in Belton, is one of the finest sports museums in the country. Opened in 1984, the Hall of Fame honors the state’s top players (both professional and amateur), renowned coaches, and tennis officials. Trophies, racquets and other tennis memorabilia from the past are on display.

Several yearly events are sponsored by BAMA: The Community-Wide Craft and Rummage Sale, the annual Halloween Ghost Walk, Heritage Days at the Depot, a traditional Turkey Shoot, and community Christmas festivities. Our staff and board members are also instrumental in the planning and implementation of the Belton Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival, the SC State Chili Cook-Off Championships, and the Palmetto Junior Tennis Tournament. We are also a stop on the SC National Heritage Corridor.

The Belton Area Museum Association was founded in 1975 by concerned citizens of Belton. The organization’s purpose is to collect, exhibit, preserve, and interpret the artifacts, sites, antiquities, and genealogical, archival, cultural, and natural history of Belton, SC, Anderson County, SC and The State of South Carolina. BAMA also provides cultural enrichment, intellectual stimulation, learning opportunities, and activities to increase the appreciation of the traditional, visual, and performing arts.

Founded in 1975, the Belton Area Museum Association oversees the Ruth Drake Museum of Local History, the SC Tennis Hall of Fame, the North End Gallery, and the Center Section Event Venue. In 2025, the museum celebrates its 50th anniversary!