List of museums in South Carolina facts for kids

Columbia Museum of Art.

South Carolina is a state in the United States with many amazing museums. These special places collect and take care of interesting objects. They show things about art, science, history, and different cultures. Museums let you explore and learn about the world around you! This article will tell you about some of the cool museums you can visit in South Carolina.

Exploring South Carolina's Museums

South Carolina has museums for all kinds of interests. Whether you love history, art, science, or even cars, there's a museum for you. Let's look at some of the exciting places you can discover.

Museums for Art Lovers

If you enjoy looking at beautiful paintings and sculptures, South Carolina has some great art museums.

• Aiken Center for the Arts in Aiken shows off local and regional art. It's a great place to see what artists in the South are creating.
• The Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia has a wide collection. You can see European and American art, from old paintings to decorative items.
• In Greenville, the Greenville County Museum of Art focuses on American art. It's a fantastic spot to learn about art from the United States.
• The Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston is another wonderful place for art. It features art that tells stories about the South.
• Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg offers exciting art exhibits. They often feature modern and contemporary art.

Step Back in Time: History Museums

Many museums in South Carolina help you learn about the past.

• The Charleston Museum in Charleston is one of the oldest museums in the United States. It covers local history, natural history, and even has historic houses you can visit.
• The South Carolina State Museum in Columbia is the largest museum in the state. It has exhibits on art, history, natural history, and science. You can learn about everything from dinosaurs to space!
• The Upcountry History Museum in Greenville tells the story of the Upcountry region of South Carolina. You'll find out about the people and events that shaped this area.
• The Beaufort History Museum in Beaufort is located in a historic arsenal. It shares the rich history of the Beaufort area.
• The Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center in Moncks Corner is found at the Old Santee Canal Park. It teaches about the history of Berkeley County.

Historic Homes and Plantations

South Carolina has many old houses that are now museums. They show what life was like long ago.

• The Aiken-Rhett House in Charleston is a historic house museum. It gives you a peek into the past of a wealthy family.
• Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens in Mount Pleasant is an old cotton plantation. You can see the historic house and original slave quarters.
• Drayton Hall in Charleston is an 18th-century indigo and rice plantation. It's one of the oldest preserved plantation houses in America.
• The Heyward-Washington House in Charleston is a late 18th-century house. George Washington even stayed here!
• Middleton Place near Summerville is an 18th-century rice plantation. It has beautiful gardens and a historic house.
• The Woodrow Wilson Family Home in Columbia was where a young Woodrow Wilson lived. He later became a U.S. President.

Science and Nature Adventures

For those who love science and the natural world, these museums are a must-see.

• EdVenture in Columbia is a children's museum. It has lots of hands-on exhibits for kids to explore science and learning.
• The Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville is a big science center. It has a planetarium, a living history farm, and exhibits on natural sciences.
• The Bob Campbell Geology Museum at Clemson University has rocks, minerals, fossils, and even meteorites. It's a great place to learn about Earth's history.
• The South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson is a huge garden. It also has art galleries and an 18th-century historic house.
• The World of Energy in Seneca is operated by Duke Power. It teaches about electricity and how energy is made.

Military and Transportation Museums

Learn about brave soldiers and amazing machines at these museums.

• Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant is a huge museum. You can explore real museum ships, including the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10).
• The South Carolina Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum in Columbia covers South Carolina's military history. You'll see artifacts from different wars.
• The Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum in Darlington celebrates racing history. It's all about stock car racing and the famous Darlington Raceway.
• The Best Friend of Charleston Museum in Charleston tells the story of one of America's first steam locomotives.
• The The Hunley in Charleston is a recovered Confederate submarine. It's a fascinating look at early submarine technology.

Fun for Kids: Children's Museums

These museums are designed especially for younger visitors to learn and play.

• Children's Museum of South Carolina in Myrtle Beach offers interactive exhibits.
• Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry in Charleston provides hands-on fun.
• Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville is another fantastic spot for kids.
• The Sandbox in Hilton Head Island is a children's museum with creative play.
• Main Street Children's Museum in Rock Hill has exhibits based on cartoonist Vernon Grant's artwork.

Defunct museums

Some museums that used to be open are now closed or have changed. For example, the Communication Museum in Charleston is now a special collection at the College of Charleston. It used to have old radios, TVs, and telephones.

See also

• List of historical societies in South Carolina
• List of nature centers in South Carolina