The Charleston Museum

Visit one of the oldest museums in the United States and learn all about the history of Charleston!

The Charleston Museum has been adding to its contents since it was founded in 1773. A huge whale hangs in the 2-story lobby of the modern museum. Visitors can see many exhibits and displays that depict the history of Charleston. There are Native American clay pipes, 18th-century salt glazed stoneware, dinosaurs, giant sloths, and ancient buffalos. The museum has a taxidermy collection of the area's birds represented, as well. There are a few kid-friendly, hands-on areas that younger kids enjoy. Don't miss the recreated local apothecary shop from 1715, which closed in 1960. In the natural history section, visitors see a set of massive jaws from an extinct 60-foot megalodon shark. This is a species whose teeth still occasionally wash up on local beaches. They also have a skeleton of a 26-28 million-year-old crocodile. Visit the gift shop to find history books, cookbooks, silver spoons, and items perfect for children.

The Charleston Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm and Sunday from 12 - 5 pm. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for youths (13 to 17 years), $5 for children (3 to 12 years), and children 2 years and under are free! Come visit this incredible museum that has plenty to see, lots of space, films to watch, so much to learn about, and lots of seating to enjoy the day!