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Charleston Museum 

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The Charleston Museum was founded in 1773, making it America’s first museum. War delayed the museum’s public opening, but the doors finally opened to the public in 1824. The Museum features two levels of exhibits that recount the history of Charleston and the Lowcountry by showcasing hundreds of items ranging from ancient fossils to Civil War artifacts. 

The first level is home to the Natural History section, temporary exhibits that focus on local history and the museum’s gift shop. The second level is home to eight permanent exhibits: 

• Lowcountry History Hall - Learn about the Native Americans who first inhabited the South Carolina Lowcountry as well as the colonists and enslaved African Americans who transformed the region into an agricultural empire.
• The Armory - Showcases examples of historic weaponry, dating from 1750 to the twentieth century
• Becoming Americans - Explore Charleston's role in the American Revolution
• Charleston in the Civil War - Learn about Charleston's role in the Civil War
• Early Days - See collections from around the world, including an Egyptian mummy and mummy case
  
• Kidstory - A hands-on exhibit for children where the history of Charleston comes alive
• Historic Textiles - Features regularly rotating exhibits from a rich historic textiles and clothing collection
• Charleston Silver - Showcasing the impressive work of the South’s finest silver craftsmen and women
  
  The museum also owns two historic homes, the Joseph Manigault House and the Heyward Washington House, that are open to the public. Admission for each is $12 or save money by purchasing combo tickets. Limited free parking is available, and paid public parking is available across the street. Allow approximately 2 hours to tour the entire museum.

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Charleston Museum Photos

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Charleston Museum Hours and Admission

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Charleston Museum Address and Map

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Current and Upcoming Events
at the Charleston Museum

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What: Fossil Friday with Curator of Natural History Matthew Gibson
When: Fridays 
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: The Charleston Museum
Admission: The event is free with admission

Do you LOVE fossils? Join Matthew Gibson, Curator of Natural History, on Fridays from 2 to 4 PM in the Bunting Natural History Gallery lab. Gibson will be on hand to share projects he is currently working on and help identify your fossil finds.

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What: From Birds to Batteries: An In-depth Ecology and Historical Walking Tour of Battery Pringle
When: Nov. 9, 2024
Time: 9 am - 11 am
Where: The Dill Sanctuary
Admission: $40 for Members/ $55 for non-members

Representing the largest area of privately protected land on James Island, the Dill Sanctuary is a 580-acre wildlife refuge rich in historic features. A microcosm of Lowcountry cultural history and ecological diversity, it was the site of three plantations during the colonial and antebellum periods, which used enslaved labor to produce primarily food crops for the Charleston market.  The property also contains four earthen Confederate fortifications that were part of the Civil War defenses of Charleston.

Join Chief of Collections Jennifer McCormick and Curator of Natural History Matthew Gibson for an in-depth tour of Fort (Battery) Pringle. Along the way, discover birds that call the Dill Sanctuary home and why the Sanctuary is an important stop along migration routes. Purchase tickets online.

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What: Sweetgrass Basket Weaving Workshop
When: Nov. 9, 2024
Time: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Where: The Charleston Museum
Admission: Members $75 / Non-Members $105

Join local artisan Sarah Edwards-Hammond for in-depth instruction on sweetgrass basketry which has been an integral part of the Lowcountry’s Gullah Geechee community since the 17th century. Edwards-Hammond comes from a long line of basket makers and has passed down the tradition to her family and others in the community. She will share a brief history of the artisanal craft of basket making.  Participants will then spend the remainder of the class making their own basket guided by Edwards-Hammond. Come learn about an extraordinary craft that has been a staple of culture, art, and history in Charleston for centuries. All materials and instruction will be provided. Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235

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What: Discovery Day: Terrific Turkeys
When: Nov. 12, 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Where: Dill Sanctuary
Admission: Member Child $10 / Non-Member Child $15 / Chaperone Free Admission

It’s turkey time! Turkeys are one of the many animals that call the Dill Sanctuary home. Learn all about these feathered friends and make your turkey art to take home. Look for signs of turkeys and other animals as you take a nature walk. Discovery Day is designed for young learners (ages 2 to 5 years) to explore the Museum, historic houses and Dill Sanctuary with a parent or guardian.  Program fee includes admission for one child and one adult. Reservations required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.

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What: South Carolina African American Confederate Pensioners Lecture with Dr. Walter B. Curry Jr.
When: Nov. 14, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 7 pm
Where: The Charleston Museum
Admission: Free - Registration Required

During the Civil War, South Carolina employed African American labor, free and enslaved, to support military operations in Charleston and the Lowcountry areas. 58 years later, South Carolina legally approved state Confederate pensions for African Americans who served as cooks, teamsters, body servants, combat engineers, road maintenance, and other roles.

The Charleston Museum is pleased to host Dr. Walter B. Curry Jr. for the final lecture of its Fall lecture series.  The presentation explores the reasons why South Carolina used African American labor during the Civil War; the diverse role of African American labor during the Civil War that includes a historical focus on the Lowcountry; the legislation passed by the South Carolina General Assembly that approved African Americans who met the qualifications to receive pensions for their military service in the Confederate Army; notable features of the South Carolina State Confederate pension application; and notable South Carolina African American Confederate Pensioners from Charleston County and the Lowcountry who lived during the Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction era periods. Register online.

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What: Holiday Wreath Workshop with Local Floral Designer and Master Certified Florist Pia Geraghty
When: Nov. 23, 2024
Time: 10 am - 12 pm
Where: The Charleston Museum
Admission: Members $75 / Non-Members $105

The prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door! Join Pia Geraghty, European Master Certified florist, as she leads a wreath-making and design class at The Charleston Museum!  Participants will have the chance to craft a beautiful holiday wreath with preserved and fresh botanicals.  Using greenery, flowers, baubles, and décor – create a vibrant wreath to showcase on your mantle or door.  Along with personalized instruction, Geraghty provides an abundance of decorative items to help you create a truly unique, and one-of-a-kind wreath! This workshop also includes a brief educational introduction on the historical, botanical, and professional aspects of floral design followed by a demonstration and personalized instruction. 

All materials and instructions are provided in this workshop. Space is limited.  Reservations required.

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What: Native American Knowledge Workshop
When: Nov. 25, 2024
Time: 10 am - 12 pm
Where: The Charleston Museum
Admission: Members $10 / Non-Members $15

Discover the lives of early South Carolina inhabitants who arrived over 12,000 years ago through hands-on exploration of artifacts and replicas of tools and animal skins. Learn how native peoples communicated using sign language. Create your own piece of pottery and write your own story using indigenous symbols on “buffalo” hide. Museum Workshops offer kids a chance to get hands on with history and natural history. Included in our workshops are a lesson on the topic and hands-on activities. Recommended for children ages 6 to 12. Reservations required.

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Hotels Near the Charleston Museum

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More things to do in Charleston

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