Historical Museum Guide for South Carolina

South Carolina History Museums

Abbeville Opera House

Burt Stark Mansion   [Photos]   [History]

A beautiful mansion from the past, it saw the coming of the Civil War and endured.  Built in the 1830s by southern planter David Lesley, the mansion is furnished with beautiful southern antiques and paintings, visitors today, can tour the premises and see what life was like in the plantation houses of South Carolina.  Located at 400 North Main Street in Abbeville, SC.

Beech Island Historical Attractions   [History]

Granville Plantation

A restored 1840 plantation home on Beech Island built by Alfred N. Dicks.

Redcliffe Plantation State Historical Site   [History]

The Beech Island mansion as built in 1859 and was home to cotton planter, James Henry Hammond and three generations of his descendants.  The home has been restored and is being preserved for future enjoyment by the state of South Carolina.  Located at 181 Redcliffe Road on Beech Island, SC.

Wagener Museum

Focused on the history of Wagener, SC, the museum features historical artifacts and documents related to the life and times of the community since the arrival of the railroad in 1887.  Located at 12 Short Street in Wagener, SC.

Anderson County Historical Museum

Focus is on the history of Anderson County and includes exhibits related to the textile industry and the pioneering history of towns in the county.  Located at 202 E. Greenville Street in Anderson, SC.

Agricultural Heritage Center

The center includes three parts: an Agricultural Heritage Museum, a Discovery Center and a Hands-On Learning Center where students and visitors can get a better understanding of the South Carolina agricultural history and its influence on culture and economics.  Located at the Clemson University's Edisto Research and Education Center on Hwy 78 West in Blackville, SC.

Barnwell County Museum

The museum is devoted to the preservation and presentation of the rich heritage of Barnwell County.  Located at 9426 Marlboro Avenue in Barnwell, SC.

Barnwell County Virtual Museum 

An online museum featuring historical information about Barnwell County, SC.

The Williston Museum

Take a trip back in time to the early days in Williston.  Visitors will learn about the heritage and history of Williston which was once known as the "asparagus capitol of the world".  Located on Springfield Road in Williston, SC.

Beaufort Arsenal Museum

An old arsenal constructed in 1798 which was used by the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery (BVA).  The fort was also used by the U.S. Army during the Civil War.  Today, you will find historic artifacts and history exhibits of this area.  Located at 713 Craven Street in Beaufort, SC.

Coastal Discovery Museum

Parris Island Museum

York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center

Berkeley Museum

Devoted to the history of Berkeley County, the museum features history exhibits from the Ice Age to the famed "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion's battles during the Revolutionary War, to the planters who settled the area.  In addition to the historical artifacts and exhibits, there is a gallery of local arts and handcrafts and a research library.  Located at 950 Stony Landing Road in Moncks Corner, SC directly across from the Old Santee Canal Park.

Old Santee Canal Park   [History]

Only 30 minutes away from downtown Charleston, Old Santee Canal Park commemorates the historical significance of the Santee Canal.  Visitors will get a glimpse of yesteryear in Berkeley County.  The park is located at the end of Stony Landing Road in Moncks Corner, SC.

Stony Landing House and Plantation

Erected in 1843 by John H. Dawson, a Charleston merchant, the house lies along the Cooper River on Stony Landing Bluff and is furnished with period reproduction pieces.  Open for tours.  Located on the premises of Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner, SC.

Calhoun County Museum and Cultural Center 

[Museum Photo Tour]

Housed inside what was once a pecan plant, the museum is devoted to the preservation, interpretation and exhibition of historical documents, artifacts and other items related to the history of Calhoun County, SC.  Located at 313 Butler Street in St. Matthews, SC.

American Military Museum   [Virtual Tour]

Best Friend Museum - Railway Association of SC

Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens

Known as one of America's oldest working plantations, Boone Hall Plantation is located off of Long Point Road in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site   [History]

Charleston Museum  [Historic Houses]

Founded in 1773, this is known as American's First Museum.  Featured are cultural, historic and natural history collections.  Learn about the rich heritage of the SC Lowcountry.  Located at 360 Meeting Street in Charleston, SC.

Citadel Archives and Museum

Focused on the history of the Military College of South Carolina from it's founding in 1842 to the present time.  Located at 171 Moultrie Street in Charleston, SC.

Confederate Museum in Charleston

Drayton Hall Historic Plantation House  

[History]  [Drayton Family]

Considered to be one of the best surviving examples of Georgian-Palladian architecture in the U.S. today, this plantation home and surrounding area remains undisturbed by our bustling civilization.  Located at 3380 Ashley River Road in Charleston, SC.

Edisto Island Historical Society Museum

Heyward Washington House

Joseph Manigault House

The Powder Magazine  [History]

The original use for the Powder Magazine was military storage for loose gun powder.  The small brick building with thick walls and four groin arches designed to implode in case of explosion was used from 1713-1770 and even briefly during the Revolutionary War.  It has been restored and is used as a museum which is operated by The Colonial Dames of America in the State of South Carolina.  It is the only public remaining structure in the Carolinas from the period of the eight Lords Proprietors.  Located at 79 Cumberland Street in Charleston, SC.

History and Arts Museum of Cherokee County

The museum is under construction and should be open in May.  They need your help.

301 S. Johnson Street in Gaffney, SC.

The Colleton Museum

Housed inside the old jail, the 2 story neogothic structure resembling a castle, was built in 1855-56.  The museum features a collection of artifacts and exhibits which explore the history of Colleton from prehistoric times to the early twentieth century.  Located at 239 North Jefferies Boulevard in Walterboro, SC.

Slave Relics Museum

The museum is devoted to the collection, preservation and exhibition of authentic relics which were made and used by enslaved Africans.  Located at 208 Carn Street in Walterboro, SC.

Dillon County Historical Society Museum System

This 1915 office building of Dr. Henry Edwards has been restored and deeded to the Dillon County Historical Society.  The museum features documents, photographs and memorabilia related to the heritage of Dillon County and the surrounding area.  Located at 101 S. Marion Street in Latta, SC.

Fairfield County Museum

[History of the Town and Museum]

Housed inside the impressive 1830 Richard Cathcart townhouse, the museum offers visitors a glimpse into the past of Fairfield County through artifacts, historic farming implements, and antique furnishings.  Located at 231 S. Congress Street in Winnsboro, SC.

South Carolina Railroad Museum   [History]

Museum and Library of Confederate History

Dedicated to the portrayal of the history of the Civil War in South Carolina, the museum houses many artifacts and exhibits related to the Civil War and homelife in the South during that war.  Located at 15 Boyce Avenue in Greenville, SC.

Upcountry History Museum

Devoted to the preservation and presentation of the history of the Upcountry, visitors will enjoy learning about the rich heritage of this part of South Carolina.  The Upcountry of South Carolina includes the counties of Abbeville, Greenville, Spartanburg, Oconee, Pickens, York, Cherokee, Anderson, Union, Laurens, Chester, McCormick, Greenwood, Newberry and Edgefield.  Located at 540 Buncombe Street in the Heritage Green area of Downtown Greenville, SC.

Horry County Museum

The Horry County Museum is devoted to the preservation, interpretation and exhibition of the rich history of Horry County.  From prehistoric times to present day, the exhibits tell the story of local conditions.  Exhibits range from old tools, photographs, farming implements, household items, local crafts and even items from an old country store.  Walking tours are offered through the Conway historic district.  The museum is housed in an old Post Office building and is directly adjacent to historical downtown Conway.  Located at 428 Main Street in Conway, SC.

Camden Archives and Museum   [History]

Camden (originally laid out as Fredericksburg in 1732) is the oldest inland town in South Carolina.  There are over 60 pre-1865 sites in historic Camden.  Visitors can stop by the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce to pick up a guide book or get one at the Camden Archives and Museum.  The museum itself is housed inside the Carnegie Library building and features exhibits of local and regional history along with a research library for those interested in early history and family research.  Located at 1314 Broad Street in Camden, SC.

Camden Revolutionary War Site  [Battle of Camden]

SC Museums at SCIWAY

Lexington County History Museum

Comprised of a large complex of 30 historic structures, the buildings include the 1772 Lawrence Corley Log House, the 1774 Heinrich Senn House, The Hazelius House, the Oak Grove one-room schoolhouse and other houses, farms and buildings.  Located at 231 Fox Street in Lexington, SC.

Lexington County History Museum Virtual Tour

Visit the John Fox Farm to learn about "Southern Antebellum Farm Life" and "Colonial Settlement" in South Carolina's backcountry.  This is an online educational tour.

South Carolina State Museum

Learn the story of South Carolina inside the 1893 Columbia Mill textile building.  4 floors of exhibits and hands-on programs bring cultural history, natural history, science, art and technology to life for visitors.  Located at 301 Gervais Street in Columbia, SC.

[History of Central]

Housed inside the 1920s Central Jail, the museum is operated by the Central Heritage Society.  The museum features documents and artifacts related to the history of Central.  Located at 415 Gaines Street in Central, SC.

Collins Ole Town

A reproduction of a small pioneer village built from wood and lumber from old homes and buildings around Central.  Many historical items have been donated by the community to make the town more authentic.  Call for appointment.  Located at 228 Lawton Road in Central, SC. Phone: 864-639-2618.

Hanover House

Built in 1716, this French Huguenot style house originally stood in what is known today as Berkeley County, South Carolina.  Built by Paul de St. Julien, the house has seen many successive owners as late as 1904.  The house has been moved to its present location, restored and furnished with period pieces.  Located on the grounds of Clemson University in Clemson, SC.

Pickens County Museum of Art and History

Housed inside a 1902 gothic "brick castle", the museum features turrets and a copper-colored tin roof.  Made of hand-rolled bricks, the building served as the Pickens County Gaol and later the county jail all the way up until 1975.  In 1976, the building became home to the Pickens County Museum of Art and History.  Visitors will enjoy the Hagood Gallery and the Michelin North America Educational Galleries with it's treasure trove of Upcountry art, antiques and artifacts.  Located at 307 Johnson Street in Pickens, SC.

Spartanburg Art Museum

Spartanburg County Regional History Museum

Step back in time to the days of Spanish explorers like Juan Pardo and learn about the rich textile heritage of Spartanburg County.  Visitors will find a treasure trove of military exhibits and historical artifacts along with a gallery of Spartanburg and Piedmont area furniture, hand crafted quilts, samplers, handmade pottery and other local works of art.  Recently relocated to the Chapman Cultural Center in the Carlos Dupre Moseley building at 200 E. St John Street in Spartanburg, SC.

Focused on the history of the Old Sumter District, the museum is operated by the Sumter County Historical Society and features a complex of 14 buildings which include the Williams-Brice House, the Old Carnegie Public Library and the Carolina Backcountry Homestead.  Visitors may visit the Genealogical and Historical Research Center if they are interested in family history of the local history of the Old Sumter District.  Located at 122 North Washington Street in Sumter, SC.

Historic Brattonsville  [The Bratton Family]

This living history museum allows visitors to experience life on the Bratton Plantation, a 775 acre Revolutionary War site.  The plantation has been owned by 3 generations of the Bratton family.  Visitors will arrive first at Hightower Hall, an 1856 plantation house which was first called Forrest Hall.  The house was used in the Mel Gibson movie "The Patriot" and is available for weddings and other events.  An award winning, living history farm is nearby and allows visitors to experience the ways of pioneer farming and see animals and livestock which are historic and rare.  Hikers will enjoy 8.5 miles of backcountry trails.  Known as the Walt Schrader Trails, visitors may trek through the same fields and woodlands as the early pioneers and Native Americans travelled.  Located at 1444 Brattonsville Road just west of Rock Hill in York County, SC.

McCelvey Center  [Calander of Events]

Housed inside a lovely building built in 1852, the McCelvey Center has been home to several educational institutions.  The original intended use was the Yorkville Female Academy, a female boarding school for women.  The building was used for various educational purposes for over 130 years with only a brief period of closure during the Civil War.  In 1987, the building was turned over to the York County Culture and Heritage Commission and today it serves as a community and performing arts center which seats 560.  Located at 212 E. Jefferson Street in York, SC.

Museum of York County

The museum is devoted to not only cultural history but natural history and the arts.  Featuring an impressive exhibit of Catawba Indian pottery, the Stans African animal collection, the Clifford collection of African art, local historical artifacts and a planetarium, visitors both young and old will find exhibits of interest.  Located at 4621 Mt. Gallant Road in Rock Hill, SC.

Museum Index for Other States

South Carolina Census Records