Celebrate the Charleston Museum’s 250th anniversary with a tour of the Museum’s earliest collections in the Early Days gallery, which reflects the Museum’s long history from its founding before the American Revolution to the late twentieth century. Following the tour of Early Days gallery, guests will be led through the Museum’s special exhibit America’s First Museum: 250 Years of Collecting, Preserving, and Educating, Part 2, which will include a church pew made by enslaved hands measuring 20 feet in length, centuries old Archaic carved bone pins, a skull from the largest known flying bird and a couture Fortuny gown. Join Curator of History Chad Stewart for the story of the Museum’s history and take a closer look at some of its earliest objects.

This program is FREE for Members and FREE with admission. Reservations preferred.

CURATOR TALK

Curator Talk: Snakes in the Lowcountry with Curator of Natural History Matthew Gibson and Natural History Volunteer Makayla Peppin-Sherwood

Thursday, July 20 | 3:00 PM

Join Natural History volunteer Makayla Peppin-Sherwood and Natural History Curator Matthew Gibson in a belated celebration of World Snake Day where we will explore some of the various snake species found throughout the Lowcountry. We’ll dispel some of the common myths surrounding these animal behaviors such as their ability to “size you up” as well as misconceptions about their biology. We will also share tips on how to identify the common species in the area and answer any questions about curation of the Museum’s snake specimens.

FREE for Members and FREE with admission to The Charleston Museum.

WORKSHOP

Winged Wonders: Beetle Pinning and Preservation Workshop

Saturday, July 22 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Join us to learn about the beauty of insects, scientific collections, and experience a hands-on demonstration from a real entomologist! Each participant will learn how to pin and preserve their very own 5-horned Rhinoceros Beetle while learning about the world of collections and even meeting some live insect guests! At the end of the workshop, each participant will take home their pinned insect along with detailed instructions on how to display and maintain their insect for decades to come. This workshop is suitable for ages 16+, unless accompanied by a participating adult.

$120 Museum Members | $150 Non-Members

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

STEAM Saturday: Fireworks

Saturday, July 15 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Enjoy firework fun without all the booms! Create fireworks in a jar, design a fizzing fireworks painting, form oobleck that pops, and send a rocket flying sky high! Full STEAM Ahead is now STEAM Saturday. STEAM Saturday is a hands-on workshop series featuring the components of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. This program is for children ages 6 and up, and we encourage adults to stay.

Reservations required..

$14 Museum Members | $20 Non-Member

For more information: call 843-722-2996 ext. 236

The Charleston Museum Summer Camp

Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Travel back in time to learn about creatures, customs, and cultures throughout history. Campers ages 6 – 11 are invited to explore the collections of The Charleston Museum to learn about Ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, animals, pirates and other exciting adventures of the past! Each camp includes crafts, activities, and admission to The Charleston Museum. This camp may be combined with Lowcountry Gifted Minds’ STEAM Explorers Camp for a full day of fun!

Reservations required. Cancellations must be requested one week in advance for a refund minus $50 administration fee.

July 31 – August 4, Half Day – Museum Camp (9 am – 12 pm daily)

$170 Members | $229 Non-Members

July 31 – August 4, Full Day – Museum Camp combined with STEAM Explorers Camp with Lowcountry Gifted Minds (9 am – 4 pm daily)

$340 Members | $420 Non-Members

STEAM Explorers Camp (Ages 6 - 11)

Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

STEAM Explorers Camp is a summer adventure camp with a week full of surprises. Campers will have a STEAM-tastic time as they experience a taste of all that STEAM Camp offers. Campers will safely conduct experiments using scientific tools. They will use technology and math to learn screen-free programming. Each day, they will complete engineering challenges utilizing various materials to discover, design, and build. Children will use their artistic and creative abilities to explore the natural world.

Certified teachers teach camp, helping our campers understand the science behind the Wow! Lowcountry Gifted Minds is a Charleston Choice Winner for Summer Camps! Don’t miss this Adventure. Be a STEAM Explorer! Ages 6 to 11. This camp can be combined with The Charleston Museum Summer Camp for a full day of fun!

Reservations required. Cancellations must be requested one week in advance for a refund minus $50 administration fee.

July 31 – August 04, Half Day – STEAM Explorers Camp (1 – 4 pm daily)

$170 Members | $220 Non-Members

July 31 – August 04, Full Day – Museum Camp combined with STEAM Explorers Camp with Lowcountry Gifted Minds (9 am – 4 pm daily)

$340 Members | $420 Non-Members

Children Events

MUSEUM BLOG

Sea Grass Basket Fragments from the Heyward-Washington House

Archaeological studies are built on the identification and quantification of groups of artifacts. The Museum’s archaeological collections alone include over two million fragments. Charleston sites, in particular, produce large assemblages of material, including ceramics, glass, nails, bricks, buttons, bones, and other mundane objects, either discarded or lost during the course of daily life. Rarely do we find organic items, such as fabric, leather, or wood, unless preservation conditions are pristine.

CURRENT EXHIBITS

Eliza Lucas Pinckney: A Legacy in Silk

ON VIEW UNTIL JULY 9, 2023

Loeblein of Charleston Silver Gallery

America’s First Museum: 250 Years of Collecting, Preserving and Educating, Part 2

NOW ON VIEW

Historic Textiles Gallery

A Historical Timeline of America's First Museum: 1773 - 2023

NOW ON VIEW

Lowcountry Image Gallery

COVID-19 Resources

Coronavirus Resource Guide Preppers Guide

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