Historical Societies Near Me in Townville
Anderson County Museum
202 East Greenville Street, Anderson, SC
Our Mission
The award-winning Anderson County Museum collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts that document the history of Anderson County and South Carolina. We educate a diverse audience by creating a place where visitors find meaning in learning the local, regional, and national significance of Anderson and South Carolina.
Our Vision
-- To engage and inspire people of every age to embrace the knowledge and insight gained from history.
-- To create an engaging environment where learning about history is fun and meaningful.
-- To educate diverse audiences by creating a place where visitors find meaning in learning the local, regional, and national significance of Anderson County, South Carolina, and its residents.
-- To serve as a catalyst for cultural tourism in Anderson County and strengthen the intellectual landscape of Upstate SC.
Our Values
-- Education and a culture of inclusion.
-- Creating exhibits and programs which inspire insightful discussions about history that broaden the perspectives of visitors.
-- Preservation and stewardship of historical resources and of all artifacts in our collection.
The Children's Museum of the Upstate
300 College Street, Greenville, SC
Mission:
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate sparks a lifelong passion for curiosity and learning through play.
Vision:
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate seeks to be a leader in innovative family activities, a dynamic learning center and a compelling community attraction.
Pelham Mill Park
2770 East Phillips Road, Greer, SC
Amenities:
-- Dog Park
-- Historic Site
-- Walking Trail
Pelham Mill Park History
The Greenville County Historic Preservation Commission donated this 13 acre site bordering the Enoree River to the District in 1988. It was home to the first textile mill in Greenville County outside of the city limits of Greenville. It's location, near the Hwy 14/I-85 interchange near Greenville Spartanburg Airport position it to be a potential gateway to Greenville County.
The scenic and historic elements parallel that of downtown's Falls Park. Today, in partnership with ReWa (Renewable Water Resources), seven acres have been added to the park. Its focal point is a masonry dam and overlook where visitors can view architectural remains of the mill and the cascading shoals of the Enoree. The master plan envisions a passive park with picnic sites, historical interpretation, dog park, and a walking bridge spanning the river that provides access to scenic trails along the Enoree.
The former Pelham Mill Post Office, built circa 1870, was moved to the park when Hwy. 14 was widened. Greenville Rec, with support from ReWa and Greenville County, is stabilizing the historic structure that has fallen into disrepair over the past decade. Pelham Mill is recognized by the Greenville County Historic Preservation Commission as a historic site in the County.
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site
181 Redcliffe Rd, Beech Island, SC
Redcliffe Plantation, completed in 1859, was once the home of James Henry Hammond, three generations of his descendants, and numerous African-American families like the Henleys, Goodwins, & Wigfalls who worked at the site as slaves and later free men and women. Now one of the many historic plantations South Carolina has opened to the public, this site symbolizes the ambition, wealth and power of James Henry Hammond a successful cotton planter, congressman, governor and senator, who spent his life defending thesouthern plantation system and his status within it.
Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum
406 Park Avenue SE, Aiken, SC
About Us:
The Visitors Center, located downstairs, can assist you with your questions, maps, brochures, event information, and more. The Train Museum, located on the second floor, has nine dioramas that depict the towns along the original South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company right of way. This railroad became the first designed steam powered commercial railroad in the United States and the longest railroad in the world at that time. The dioramas accurately show Charleston, Summerville, St. George, Branchville, Denmark, Blackville, Aiken’s freight station, Aiken’s passenger depot, and Hamburg, near North Augusta, as they were in the year 1916. These dioramas are done in the familiar HO scale and are complimented by interactive displays depicting railroad history.
The South Carolina Railroad Museum
110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro, SC
The South Carolina Railroad Museum's mission is the preservation and interpretation of railroading in South Carolina. To that end, we welcome visitors to our Winnsboro museum site where guests can experience seasonal train rides, special railway events, self-guided tours, and more.
EdVenture Childrens Museum
211 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
Mission:
In Mission Imagination, children will learn through hands-on experiences. What’s more, they’ll develop communication skills that will last a lifetime. Here, kids can become communication savvy through art, music, movement and words. They’ll discover how pictures, symbols and music can tell stories.
South Carolina State Museum
301 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC
Mission:
Through innovative partnerships, comprehensive collections, and stimulating exhibits and programs, The South Carolina State Museum provides educational environments that entertain, inspire imagination and creativity, and enrich the lives of visitors.
Vision:
The South Carolina State Museum is an ever-changing, innovative institution reflecting the essence and diversity of South Carolina, a catalyst for the cultural and educational development of our state and a model among museums nationally.
Anne Frank Center at USC
Corner of Barnwell Street and College Street at 1731 College Street, Columbia, SC
About Us
The Anne Frank Center on the USC campus brings to life the story of the young Jewish girl who – in the pages of her world-renowned diary – documented two years of hiding in German-occupied Amsterdam during World War II. By sharing Anne's legacy with visitors, students and teachers, USC’s Anne Frank Center seeks to inspire our commitment to never be bystanders but instead to stand up together against antisemitism, bigotry and inequality wherever it may exist today.
Rivers Bridge State Historic Site
325 State Park RD, Ehrhardt, SC
Rivers Bridge State Historic Site marks the site of one of the Confederacy’s last stands against General William T. Sherman’s sweep across the South. Of all the Civil War Sites in South Carolina, the Battle of Rivers Bridge is the only one in the State Parks system that is home to a preserved battlefield.
A ¾-mile guided trail details the Battle of Rivers Bridge by way of interpretive panels along the trail. Ranger-guided tours of one of the most well-preservedCivil War sites in South Carolina, which includes still-intact earthen fortifications, are also given throughout the year.
HOURS AND ADMISSION
- Admission : Free admission
- Days and Hours of Operation : 9am-6pm, daily
- Office Hours : 11am-noon, daily
- Tours : Prearranged guided tours are available at $4/adult and $2/child ages 6-16. Monthly living history programs, held on the first Saturday of each month are $5/adult and $3/child ages 6-16. These are scheduled at 10am, on the first Saturday of June-Oct. and 2pm Nov-May. Visitors may take a self-guided tour by reading the waysides stationed throughout the park at no charge.
PETS
- Pets : Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet.
The Button Museum
55 Joe Dority Road, Bishopville, SC
Stevens is also a vocalist and has two songs that he wrote about all of his creations.
"I have a unique song and it goes like this," he said. "If you like the color of my clothes, would you give me buttons instead of a rose. Buttons can be square or round, they keep my pants from falling down."
His other song, "Insomniac Shuffle" is as follows: "Give me a bag of buttons, buttons are my bag, I start sewing buttons before my eyes begin to sag. Buttons will make or break me when I sign the big contract, then I'll be the richest of all insomniacs."
As of this time, Stevens has no plans of creating any more of his patented items.
These days he enjoys spending time with his wife of 50 years and his three children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"I just got tired of going," Stevens said. "I decided that if people want to see it they can come to me."
Recently he just opened a museum to showcase all of his creations.
The museum is located off of Highway 34 between Bishopville and Camden and is open six days a week.Admission to the museum is free, but Stevens does accept donations.
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
300 State Park RD, Summerville, SC
From 1697 until the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the trading town of Dorchester flourished along the Ashley River, inland from colonial Charleston. Today, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site’s remarkably preserved archaeological remains give visitors a peek into the early history of colonial South Carolina.
Abandoned at the start of the Revolutionary War, the town of Dorchester has all but disappeared, leaving only a handful of original structures remaining. Visitors can stand below the towering remains of the brick bell tower of St. George’s Anglican Church, catch a glimpse of a log wharf during low tide or view the fort made of an oyster-shell concrete called tabby.
Today, visitors to Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site can watch as archaeologists unearth the settlement’s history. Together with abundant historical records from colonial Charleston, the site is helping to paint a clearer picture of life in colonial South Carolina and the rest of the American South.
Coastal Discovery Museum
70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC
The Coastal Discovery Museum was established in 1985 with a mission to teach the public about the natural history and cultural heritage of the Lowcountry. Â The Museum makes learning about Hilton Head Island and the surrounding region a fun filled experience for the whole family.
The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn:
Opened to the public in 2007, the 68 acre historic Honey Horn property has a history dating back 300 years and is described as the last significant parcel of open space on Hilton Head Island. Â This majestic visitor friendly venue consists of salt marshes, open fields, stands of centuries old live oak trees, the State's largest Southern Red Cedar tree dated at 1595, and a collection of some of the oldest buildings that exist on Hilton Head Island.
Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum
149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island, SC
The Island’s best known and best loved landmark, the Harbour Town Lighthouse has been welcoming visitors to Hilton Head for over four decades. Now it is available online to provide you with access to many of our features, including Shopping online. Lighthouse open daily 10:00 am until Sundown.
The Charleston Museum
360 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
Mission Statement:
To document and explain the natural and cultural history of Charleston and the South Carolina coastal region through the maintenance, improvement and expansion of collections documenting the natural forms and material culture of this region.
Gibbes Museum of Art
135 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
Mission Statement:
The Gibbes Museum of Art exists to link the art of our past with the art of our future through innovative exhibitions, acquisitions, interpretation and educational programs that preserve and promote the art of Charleston and the American South.
Patriots Point Naval And Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC
About us:
Patriots Point Development Authority was established in the mid 1970's to develop a naval and maritime museum on Charleston Harbor with the center piece of the museum being the World War II aircraft carrier, the USS YORKTOWN. Patriots Point has become one the state's major tourist attractions with more than 270,000 visitors each year. The YORKTOWN boasts one of the largest education and overnight camping programs in the nation, with more than 40,000 school age children attending these programs each year. The Patriots Point Development Authority Board also oversees the stewardship of over 350 acres of property on Charleston Harbor, much of which is currently under lease for a golf course, a hotel, and a collegiate athletic complex.
Patriots Point, on the Charleston Harbor in Mount Pleasant, SC, is home of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum and a fleet of National Historic Landmark ships, including the USS YORKTOWN, Cold War Memorial and the only Vietnam Support Base Camp in the U.S. Patriots Point is also headquarters to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and the agency's official Medal of Honor Museum. As an agency, the Naval and Maritime Museum strives to preserve the living history of our nation's bravest men and women while telling their stories in honorable, educational and engaging ways.
Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens
1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC
About Us:
Boone Hall Plantation has been open to the public since 1956.
The McRae Family purchased the plantation in 1955 and it was Mrs. McRae who furnished the house with antiques and began giving tours. Today, the McRae Family still owns the property, and they continue to make improvements to the plantation so that ours visitors can experience what plantation life was like. As you tour each site on the plantation our knowledgeable staff will help you understand the day to day activities of those who lived on plantations as well the history of the people who lived here at Boone Hall.
Boone Hall Plantation was founded in 1681 when Englishman Major John Boone came to Charleston and established a lucrative plantation and gracious home on the banks of Wampacheone Creek. The family and descendants of Major Boone were influential in the history of South Carolina, the colonies and the nation. The McRae family is proud to present that history, covering over 330 years, on a daily basis.Â
Boone Hall Plantation is also one of America's oldest working, living plantations. We have been continuously growing and producing crops for over three centuries.
Once known for cotton and pecans, we are still actively producing strawberries, tomatoes, and pumpkins, as well as many other fruits and vegetables for our visitors to enjoy. The U-Pick fields are open in season. The agricultural arm of the plantation today is known as Boone Hall Farms.
Boone Hall Farms Market, located close by to the planation on Hwy. 17 North in Mt. Pleasant, is our main modern market which is open year round and carries our produce grown right on the farm in season. The market also features a market cafe with a diverse menu, fresh local seafood, a Lowcountry Butcher Shoppe, a wine alley, a flower and gift department, Boone Hall label jams, jellies, and sauces.
Horry County Museum
805 Main Street, Conway, SC
Mission:
To collect and preserve material related to the prehistory, natural history, history and culture of Horry County; to interpret and to create exhibits of such materials and to prepare educational programs related to them for presentation to the public, particularly the citizens of Horry County, South Carolina, and to operate a facility for this purpose.