America’s First Public Museum

Where do you think American’s first public museum is located? Is it in Boston, New York City, or Washington D.C.? No, it’s located in the genteel city of the South, Charleston, South Carolina. On January 12, 1773, America’s first public museum opened its doors. You can still visit it today.

Charleston, South Carolina is a city filled with plenty of things to see and do. There are boat trips to Fort Sumter, aircraft carriers to see, historic districts to tour, shopping at the historic city market, and plenty of delicious seafood to enjoy. The history of this city is immense. From historic plantations to the Civil War to a massive earthquake, this city has seen it all. And one of the best places to learn about Charleston's history is at The Charleston Museum.

The Charleston Museum has gone through some changes since it first opened its doors in 1773. Today, museum visitors can learn the history of South Carolina’s low country and see how it became one of the South’s largest agricultural producers in the country. The story is told through pictures and artifacts, including the famous Charleston rice spoon. The Civil War began in Charleston and the museum does a terrific job recounting how the city endured. There is plenty of weaponry on display, plus torpedo mines and gunboat china. George Washington was a visitor to Charleston and the museum pays homage to him. There are George Washington inaugural buttons to see, along with his silver christening cup.

Children will also enjoy The Charleston Museum. Ancient marine beds, some more than 28 million years old, have been discovered near Charleston. This means plenty of fossils have been discovered. At the museum, kids love to see the 18 foot fossilized crocodile and the plant eating dinosaur displayed in the Natural History gallery. Plus, there are interactive exhibits just for kids to learn about the area’s history.

The museum also operates two of the city’s historical houses. The Joseph Manigault House, a National Historic Landmark, has one of the city’s most famous staircases. You can tour this fully furnished house, impressive gardens, and outbuildings. The Heyward-Washington house is known as Charleston’s Revolutionary War House. George Washington stayed here when he visited the city in May 1791. Today, you can tour this house, which was the city’s first historical house museum.

For more information on The Charleston Museum, visit their website: www.charlestonmuseum.org