South Carolina State Museum

10/16/2026

Congratulations to Corey Alston, recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded in South Carolina!

This week, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster presented the Order of the Palmetto to Corey Alston, recognizing his contributions to the Palmetto State and his efforts in preserving Gullah Geechee culture and heritage. State Representative Joe Bustos of House District 112 accompanied the governor to honor Mr. Alston on this momentous occasion.

Alston, a fifth-generation sweetgrass basket weaver from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is the artist behind "Big Percy," the Guinness World Records title holder for the largest sweetgrass basket, which is part of the Museum's collection and currently on display for visitors to see.

We're proud to celebrate Corey Alston Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets incredible achievement and this enduring tradition of craftsmanship and cultural heritage. 👏

10/14/2026

Happy National Fossil Day! 🦴🦖
 
We’re digging into the past with SCSM Curator of Natural History Dr. Scott Persons as he highlights a few fascinating fossils from the Museum’s collection!
 

10/13/2026

Calling all South Carolina homeschool families! 📚✏️

Homeschool Thursday is happening THIS Thursday, Oct. 15, at the South Carolina State Museum!

On the third Thursday of each month throughout the school year, we welcome homeschool families for an afternoon of special educational programming, hands-on learning and opportunities to connect with fellow homeschoolers!

Explore the Museum at your own pace, meet fellow homeschool families and customize your visit with educational experiences, including hands-on STEAM activities, planetarium shows, 4D theater films and MORE! 🔭

📅 Make plans to visit us this Thursday! Check out the available programs and plan your afternoon at https://scmuseum.org/events/homeschool-thursdays

10/13/2026

The countdown is ON! 🌙✨ We're just FIVE days away from Moonlight & Milestones Gala!

This Saturday, Oct. 17, get ready for an unforgettable evening at the South Carolina State Museum as we celebrate exciting milestones and offer an exclusive look at what's to come through our Make Way for MORE revitalization campaign!

From gallery hopping and interactive experiences to live music, dancing, delicious bites, creative cocktails and MORE, we've got a night full of excitement planned! 🥂

🎫 Get dressed up, grab your tickets and get ready for a night to remember! Get your tickets today: https://scmuseum.org/events/moonlight-and-milestones

10/12/2026

The Catawba Nation acknowledges and celebrates today as Indigenous People's Day. Today, we honor and commemorate our own history and culture, as well as the history and culture of other indigenous people across the world. In observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, the Catawba Nation and other entities will be closed on Monday, October 12. We will resume our current operating schedule on Tuesday, October 13.

10/09/2026

"In the Making: Contemporary Craft from South Carolina" is NOW OPEN in the Lipscomb Art Gallery!

Featuring the work of 12 South Carolina artists, this juried exhibition highlights the creativity and craftsmanship behind fiber, ceramics, wood, metal, glass, mixed media and more.

Presented as part of Handwork 2026: Celebrating American Craft, a nationwide initiative led by Craft in America, the exhibition celebrates the diverse traditions and innovative approaches shaping contemporary craft across the state.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Opening Reception! It was a wonderful evening celebrating this new exhibition, getting a first look at the incredible work on display and meeting the artists behind it.

Make sure to add this exhibition to your must-see list for your next visit to the South Carolina State Museum! 👀

10/09/2026

10/08/2026

One night. Four floors. A look at where we’ve been and where we’re headed next. ✨🥂

Moonlight & Milestones invites you to experience the Museum after hours with gallery hopping, interactive experiences, creative storytelling, live music, dancing, food, cocktails and a few surprises along the way.

From art and natural history to South Carolina’s Revolutionary story and the future of innovation at the Museum, each floor will offer something new to see, taste and experience as we celebrate recent milestones and give you a glimpse at what’s ahead through the Make Way for MORE revitalization campaign.

Dress up, grab a cocktail and spend the evening discovering the Museum in a whole new way. 🌙

📆 Saturday, October 17
🕰️ 6:30 - 10 p.m.
🎫 Learn more and get your tickets: https://scmuseum.org/events/moonlight-and-milestones

10/08/2026

Introducing Our Founding Tables, a new foodways series! 🍽️

Join us as we invite chefs, scholars and guests to explore the history and legacy of the Revolutionary War era through the food and culture of South Carolina. Hosted by writer, editor and audio producer Stephanie Burt, the series will bring together engaging voices to explore stories of the past and consider their connections to our lives today.

This event series begins at Table Rock State Park on Thursday, November 5th, with free activities from 2 - 4 p.m. that will offer guests an opportunity to meet scholars and educators of the American Revolution in South Carolina, talk with SCSM curators about the Museum's exhibition, "American Battleground: South Carolina’s Revolution," and view the traveling exhibition, "A Blueprint to Liberty," a collaborative project by the South Carolina State Museum and the South Carolina Historical Society.

Later that evening, from 6 - 8 p.m., a ticketed event will feature delicious food prepared by Greenville native Chef Stephnie Bolden along with a panel discussion exploring the history and legacy of women in South Carolina’s Upstate – as homefront leaders, healers, caretakers, and fierce protectors – during the American Revolution and beyond.

Our Founding Tables Upstate:
📆 November 5
📍 The Gaines Lodge at Table Rock State Park | 158 E. Ellison Lane, Pickens, SC 29671
⌚ 2 - 4 P.M. (free), 6 - 8 P.M. (ticketed)
🎟️ Learn more and secure your seat today: https://scmuseum.org/events/our-founding-tables

Our Founding Tables is made possible by a grant from South Carolina 250 🤝
Additional support from Certified SC Grown 🌱