Explore one of the most extraordinary specimens in the Charleston Museum’s Natural History collection, Pelagornis sandersi. This 25 to 28 million year old bird has the largest wingspan currently known to science. The fossils of this bird were found at the Charleston International Airport in 1983. Although it was known at the time that the fossils of this giant bird was an important discovery, it wasn’t established how significant the find was until Dr. Daniel Ksepka visited the Museum in 2012.

In conjunction with The Charleston Museum's 250th anniversary in 2023, the Museum will release a monthly video to highlight important objects in the collections. We invite you to check back monthly to explore each object with our curatorial staff.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

TOURS

Revolutionary War Siege Lines Walking Tour with Director Carl Borick

Thursday, May 11 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Join Carl P. Borick, Director of The Charleston Museum and author of A Gallant Defense: The Siege of Charleston, 1780, as he leads a tour to some of the key points related to the Revolutionary War Siege of Charleston, the longest siege of the war and largest battle fought in South Carolina. The area to be toured, now an urban landscape interspersed with pleasant city parks was once the site of vicious fighting between besieging British troops and Patriot defenders during April - May 1780. Although the fortifications have long since disappeared, Borick will highlight notable features of the terrain that serve as reminders of this momentous battle.

The tour will begin at 6 pm, leaving from the Museum, for a walking tour lasting 1 - 1.5 hours. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

Reservations required.

$40 Museum Members | $55 Non-Members

Exclusive Society Members Tour: Eliza Lucas Pinckney Exhibit with Curator of Historic Textiles Virginia Theerman

Tuesday, May 16 | 5:30 - 7:00 PM

In honor of the Museum’s 250th anniversary, Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s gown will be exhibited in the Loeblein Silver Gallery, along with some of her personal items. Society Members are invited to join Curator of Historic Textiles, Virginia Theerman, for a closer look at Pickney’s personal items and the history behind them. Beverages and light hors d’oeuvres will be available.

This program is free of charge and exclusive for current Museum Members at the following Membership Levels: Milby Burton Society, Manigault Society and 1773 Society. Not a Member, yet? Join (or upgrade) your Membership, today!

Registration is required.

WORKSHOPS

Exploring Color through Bundle and Ice Dyeing with Local Artist Daisy McClellan

Saturday, May 6| 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Join local artist Daisy McClellan for her workshop, Exploring Color through Bundle and Ice Dyeing. In this class you’ll learn two dyeing techniques, one hot and one cold. Starting with the hot, bundle dying, you’ll explore this free-form natural dyeing technique using steam, to extract color from flowers, plants, and food. For the cold, you’ll master the art of ice dyeing using powdered dye and ice to create dream-like scenes! Students will go home with 4 dyed pieces of fabric that could be used as bandanas, scarves, napkins, wall hangings and more!

$75 Museum Members | $105 Non-Members

Sweetgrass Basket Weaving Workshop with Local Artisan Sarah Edwards-Hammond

Saturday, May 20| 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Join local artisan Sarah Edwards-Hammond for in-depth instruction on sweetgrass basketry which has been an integral part of the Lowcountry’s Gullah Geechee community since the 17th century. Edwards-Hammond comes from a long line of basket makers and has passed down the tradition to her family and others in the community. She will share a brief history of the artisanal craft of basket making. Participants will then spend the remainder of the class making their own basket guided by Edwards-Hammond. Come learn about an extraordinary craft that has been a staple of culture, art, and history in Charleston for centuries. All materials and instruction will be provided.

Space is limited. Reservations required.

$75 Museum Members | $105 Non-Members

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

STEAM Saturday at the Dill Sanctuary:

Nature Explorers

Saturday, May 13 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM

Become a Nature Explorer at our nature preserve on James Island, the Dill Sanctuary. Create your own bug catcher and binoculars! As you go on a marsh walk to learn all about the amazing salt marsh ecosystem, keep your eyes peeled to see signs of animals that call the Dill home and to help you earn a nature bingo! Dress to get messy. 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-Members

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

Homeschool History Day: Eliza Lucas Pinckney

Thursday, May 18

10:00 - 11:00 AM & 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Learn all about Eliza Lucas Pinckney and her role in bringing indigo to South Carolina. Use indigo dye to create your own tie-dyed masterpiece! Enjoy a rare opportunity to see Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s dress and personal items as they are displayed for a limited time. Homeschool History Day programs feature a field trip experience, a chance to go through the Museum, and an educational activity.

Reservations required. Two sessions offered: 10 – 11 AM and 11 AM – 12 PM

$5 for Museum Member Students | $10 for Non-Member Students

Free for Museum Member Adults | $12 for Non-Member Adults

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

CHILDREN EVENTS

MUSEUM BLOG

The Mummified Egyptian Woman

The centerpiece of our Early Days exhibit is the mummified remains of a woman from Egypt, dating to the Late Period or Ptolemaic Period (ca. 700-300 BCE). Gabriel Manigault, the museum’s curator from 1873 to 1899 who wanted to acquaint Charlestonians with “any and everything illustrating the extinct civilizations of the world,” purchased this Egyptian mummified person from Horatio Wood in 1893.

CURRENT EXHIBITS

America’s First Museum: 250 Years of Collecting, Preserving, and Educating Part 1

December 17, 2022 - June 4, 2023

Historic Textiles Gallery

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

NOW ON VIEW

Lowcountry Image Gallery

UPCOMING EXHIBITS

Eliza Lucas Pinckney: A Legacy in Silk

May 13 - July 9, 2023

Loeblein Gallery of Charleston Silver

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