Location: Charleston
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What to do and see in Charleston, South Carolina (SC): The Best History Museums
Historic Charleston is bursting with Southern charm and hospitality. The city feels a bit like it’s suspended in time, thanks to its antebellum architecture and surrounding plantation landscapes. Take in incredible views of the Battery and the French Quarter as you stroll the Waterfront Park, then become inspired by the cultivated beauty of the gardens at Middleton Place. At night, try a ghost tour for an introduction to the spooky side of the city.
Restaurants in Charleston
1. Nathaniel Russell House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,952 reviews
A National Historic Landmark, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum was completed in 1808 by merchant Nathaniel Russell. The home’s graceful, free-flying, three-story staircase is an architectural marvel and the elegant interiors with elaborate plasterwork, geometrically shaped rooms, formal gardens and collection of 18th-century decorative and fine art speak to the wealth of Charleston’s elite in the early days of the American Republic. Restored to its original splendor using forensic analysis and cutting-edge conservation technology by our curatorial staff, we ensure the highest standards of old-world expertise to replicate the finishes, fixtures and textiles appropriate for this 200-year old townhouse. The 18 enslaved Africans that lived on and maintained this property are an integral part of its history. Archaeological artifacts, educational panels and ongoing restoration of the enslaved quarters are vital to learning more about the enslaved and telling their important stories.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Nathaniel Russell, a wealthy shipping merchant, built this magnificent three-story, Federal-style, 9,600-square-foot rectangular townhouse in 1808. Today, it is recognized as one of America's most important Neoclassical houses. It was designated a National Landmark in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Located at 51 Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina, the prestigious house was built to display Russell's prominence as one of the wealthiest citizens of the community. Constructed of Carolina gray brick, the three-bay entrance front emphasizes height rather than width with the main living areas on the second and third levels. The first-story entrance front is dominated by the residence's grand entrance door. The house features three main rooms per floor, each of different geometric designs: a front rectangular room, a center oval room and a square room in the rear. The most important architectural feature of the house is the elliptical spiral staircase, which ascends three floors and is showcased by a golden walled stair hall. The second floor oval drawing room is the most highly decorated room in the house and is where the women of the house retired to after dinner. Papered in apricot, it features elaborate plaster moldings covered with 24-karat gold leaf. The Adamesque ornamentation of the fireplaces' mantles and cornices are among the most detailed in the city. Though most of the art and furniture displayed in the house are not original to the Nathaniel Russell House, they are of the correct period when the Russell family inhabited the house and many are of Charleston origin. The house and grounds are separated from the street by a brick and wrought iron fence with the entrance gate flanked by tall brick columns. To the south of the house is the garden that was originally laid out in a geometric arrangement with patterned beds of flowers, ornamental shrubs and large orange and grapefruit trees. Today, a formal English garden can be found with gravel paths, boxwood hedges and plants favored in the 19th century. In the rear of the house is the two-story slave quarters that housed many of the 18 slaves that lived and worked at the Nathaniel Russell House.
2. Heyward-Washington House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 394 reviews
Historic mansion open to the public.
Reviewed By BilB126357 - Boston, United States
I absolutely loved this beautiful house! The tour guide was very informative and thorough. The house was perfectly decorated with wonderful antique furniture and is in a beautiful neighborhood.
3. Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,377 reviews
History comes alive as Colonial dressed guides talk about Pirates, Patriots and Presidents! Explore the location where pirates were once held and view a section of the 1698 fortification that once protected the Walled City. Completed in 1771 as the New Exchange and Customs House, recognized today as South Carolina's most historic building. Where Patriots were imprisoned, the Constitution was ratified and George Washington was entertained.
Reviewed By CharlieV2011 - Chicago, United States
What a great site to visit, especially so close to July 4 ????????! I enjoyed my visit here. The guided tour of the dungeon was interesting, with stories of events surrounding political prisoners, gun ammo storage, and English tea! Upstairs, you will see artifacts that date back to the 1700’s and 1800’s such as portraits, weapons, and handmade/woven items! You will also read interesting stories about events and about historical figures. Great way to learn about history and be in the same room as important people once stood!
4. The Charleston Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,039 reviews
The Charleston Museum, America's First Museum, founded in 1773. Its mission is to preserve and interpret the cultural and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry. We invite you to explore this rich, varied history at the Museum and its two National Historic Landmark houses, The Joseph Manigault and Heyward Washington Historic Houses. All are located downtown, in America's Most Historic City. Featuring: Lowcountry History, Historic Armory, Charleston in the Revolutionary War, "City Under Seige" (civil war), The Bunting Natural History Gallery, Kidstory, and Historic Textiles Gallery.
Reviewed By robinbeam - Oklahoma City, United States
We went to this museum as part of our Charleston Tour Pass. It is small, but very well curated. The display of local silver was lovely. They also have items from a local whale skeleton to an Egyptian mummy. Very eclectic.
5. Fort Sumter National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,603 reviews
Learn all about this storied spot of the first clash between the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War, in which the Union forces finally surrendered after a 34-hour bombardment by the Rebels.
Reviewed By lrb06901
Knowledgeable NP rangers at the visitor center, lovely boat ride and memorable flag raising ceremony in the morning for those that helped AND watched to raise our flag.
6. Gibbes Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
The Gibbes Museum enhances lives through art by engaging people of every background and experience with art and artists of enduring quality, by collecting and preserving art that touches Charleston, and by providing opportunities to learn, to discover, to enjoy, and to be inspired by the creative process. Recognized among the oldest arts organizations in the United States, the Gibbes has played a significant role in shaping the careers of American artists for over a century. The Museum connects the city and region's artistic past to a vibrant contemporary art scene.
Reviewed By rmhiester - Charleston, United States
The Gibbes is a fabulous art museum in Charleston that offers something for everyone. It's not overwhelming and easy to see in a couple of hours. The mobile app is great and has a variety of tour themes. The building is beautiful, especially the stained glass dome of the rotunda! From colonial through contemporary art, the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions explore the history of Charleston and the southern region. Their visiting artist series is a fun way to meet working artists in different mediums (I've met a Weaver and a taxidermy artist!) and the program schedule offers fun connections to what's on view. The garden concerts in the spring and fall are particularly fun, and the Gibbes on the Street event in April/May of each year is one of the best events in town.
7. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 621 reviews
Tours of KKBE include a docent-led tour of the gallery, archival museum, and our newly-renovated our Sanctuary, as well as a professional, 20-minute documentary video about our Sanctuary. We are looking forward to welcoming guests to our historic Sanctuary as soon as we are able to re-open.
Reviewed By fantasticv0yage
Sadly closed due to the pandemic, this is the second oldest synagogue in the US (after Truro in Newport, Rhode Island), the oldest continuous Jewish congregation in the US, and the founders of the American Reform movement in the early 1800s. More Greek temple than Jewish temple, this is an important part of US history whatever your religion.
8. Avery Research Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
ANNOUNCEMENT: The Avery Research Center is Temporarily Closing for Renovations February 1st-October 15th, 2017. The College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture will be closed to the public February 1st, 2017 through October 15th, 2017, to implement a major improvement project to replace the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems throughout the building. These crucial renovations will greatly enhance the building’s archival storage conditions. During this renovation phase from Feb. 1st to Oct. 15th, 2017, the Avery building will be closed and there will be NO ACCESS to the Avery Research Center’s archival collections, no new acquisitions of archival materials, and no on-site tours or public or private programs. The Avery Research Center's faculty and staff will be temporarily relocated to the College of Charleston's Addlestone Library. Please continue to contact Avery faculty and staff members via their individual College of Charleston emails throughout the renovation. We are very excited about these renovations and apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your support!
9. South Carolina Historical Society Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Located in the historic Fireproof Building, the South Carolina Historical Society Museum spans six interactive galleries and showcases more than 350 years of South Carolina history through the artifacts, personal treasures, and handwritten accounts of those who experienced it.
Reviewed By 88sherrik
I am from MT...after visiting here and listening to Mitchell (the docent there), I came away with a new perspective of the Civil War South. This is a wonderful Museum. I sure did pick a great museum to visit, when I chose this one! Thank you so much to the friendly helpful front desk attendant. A special thank you to docent Mitchell...it was a pleasure learning what you had to share, you are a credit to this museum and to Charleston. If you only visit 1 museum in Charleston...I strongly suggest you choose this one!
10. Confederate Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 347 reviews
Historic museum with displays of the War Between the States. The collection consists of Uniforms, Flags, Personal Items, Currency, Cannon, Swords, Guns.
Reviewed By jacifus - Palestine, United States
First: Handicapped Friendly, and kind and knowledgeable ladies helped me to take the elevator so that I could enjoy the museum. This museum has some rare flags, and tells the OTHER side of the story regarding Ft.Sumter, and the “War of the Northern Aggression”, from the Confederate point of view. Regarding some of the negative reviews, well, let’s just say that most of them are from Northerners that have little knowledge of Southern History, and the many grey areas that caused the war. It wasn’t black and white only. This is a wonderful museum, and a must if you want a fully rounded history of that terrible war.
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