Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center

09/01/2026

Today's dates to at least the 1920s. This christening gown was used by the Sayre and Seay families for "several generations before being donated to the Museum in 1995.

👗: Child's christening gown, ca. 1924, 95.12.2.

08/31/2026

This weekend! Join The Battle of Eutaw Springs Chapter SCSSAR and others to commemorate the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Eutaw Springs.

Did you know... until 1910, Eutawville and Eutaw Springs were in Berkeley County!

08/28/2026

in 1922, the first radio paid commercial aired. The ad ran in New York City for the Queensboro Realty Company. By the late 1920s, most radio stations in the country aired commercially-sponsored content.

📻: Atwater Kent console radio, 1926-1935. 96.6.1. In memory of Luther Harrell, Sr.

08/27/2026

Three fascinating talks coming up this fall with Daniel Island Historical Society!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone for our fall program! There are some exciting speakers coming to Daniel Island! Hope to see you there!

08/26/2026

👮‍♂️Another face has been added to our wall of sheriffs! Thank you to the family of the late Lee Bradwell for providing the image.

Do you have a photograph of Sheriff James B. Morrison or Sheriff Richard Causey, Jr.? Let us know! 🚨

08/25/2026

School may be back in session, but summer is still in full swing!

This 1920s wool womens swimsuit was made by JANTZEN - a company still producing swimwear in the 21st century. We don't know an exact year, but this piece was made sometime between 1923 (the date on the label) and about 1928, when the "Diving Girl" logo no longer wore stockings.

While some people may balk at the idea of a wool swimsuit, the material was once commonly used for bathing and swimming wear! Wool stays opaque when wet, is breathable, and dries quickly.

🩱: Jantzen swimsuit, 1923-1928, 16.3.1

08/24/2026

is celebrated on August 24, the date in 1869 on which when Cornelius Swarthout of New York received the first U.S. patent for a waffle iron. The word "waffle" first appeared in the English language more than a hundred years earlier, in 1725; waffles had been a not-uncommon food, particularly among Dutch immigrants, but Swarthout's waffle iron added a handle and clasp to make flipping easier.

We have several waffle irons in our Museum collection. The open one pictured here likely dates to the 1870s or 1880s. The Griswold #8 dates to the 1920s.

08/21/2026

in 1754, Banastre Tarleton was born in Liverpool, England. He played an active role in the South Carolina battles of Moncks Corner, Charleston, Waxhaws, Camden, Fishing Creek, Cowpens, and Blackstock's. As leader of the British Legion, General Tarleton was known for his ruthlessness and aggressiveness.

Learn more about Tarleton and his place in Berkeley County history in our "The Revolution Comes South" exhibit room.

08/20/2026

🦟Today, August 20, is World Mosquito Day. August 20th was chosen by Sir Ronald Ross, an English doctor, who, on that date in 1897, discovered that female mosquitoes can transmit malaria.

Malaria is one of the most significant diseases in South Carolina history. The last large malaria epidemic in this area was in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Did you know... one of the first divisions created by Santee Cooper was the Health and Sanitation Department, to deal with the malaria problem. A regular mosquito-spraying program was begun, using sprayers like the one shown here in the Museum. The spraying program continues today! By 1948, there were no malaria deaths reported in the five counties surrounding the Santee Cooper Lakes.

08/19/2026

Gift shop restock alert! These three Arcadia Publishing titles are back on our gift shop shelves. 📚