Beginning Saturday, December 2, Charleston Museum Members will receive 30% OFF merchandise and 25% OFF publications in both the Museum and Heyward-Washington House Museum stores. The Members’ Holiday Sale ends Friday, December 15. Purchases must be made during the sale dates to receive this discount and other discounts not valid during this sale.

Garden Club of Charleston Holiday Decorations at the Joseph Manigault House
Saturday, December 2 - 27

Annually, the Garden Club of Charleston uses this magnificent antebellum house as a backdrop for their creative holiday arrangements, using plant material that would have been available in the Lowcountry during the first quarter of the 19th century.

The Joseph Manigault House, a National Landmark a was the first structure to be saved from demolition in Charleston’s budding preservation movement of the 1920s. The house is an exceptional example of Federal style architecture, showcasing a prominent spiral staircase in the central hall, and features historic objects from the Museum’s collections.

Joseph Manigault House: Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 12 to 5 pm (last tour begins at 4:30 pm)

FREE for Members and FREE with admission to the Joseph Manigault House.

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YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Explore the 19th century West Point Rice Mill ledger housed in the archives with Chief of Collections and Archivist Jennifer McCormick. This ledger dates from January 1844 to March 1855 and lists the names of enslaved people who were hired out to toil at the West Point Rice Mill. However, in some cases, the preparer made marks next to an enslaved person’s name to record any unusual events that might have happened on a given date. In one particular instance, Jimmy, an enslaved person, was arrested and executed for a murder. Listen to learn more of what happened that day in 1849.

In conjunction with The Charleston Museum's 250th anniversary in 2023, the Museum released monthly videos to highlight important objects in the collections. We invite you to check out the other videos available on our YOutube channel.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL

WORKSHOPS

Sweetgrass Basket Weaving Workshop
Saturday, December 2 | 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

Holiday Candle Making Workshop with Local Artist Daisy McClellan
Saturday, December 9 - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Join local artist, Daisy McClellan, at The Charleston Museum for a relaxing Holiday Candle Making Workshop with vintage vessels. Learn how to make your very own candles from beginning to end. Participants will use festive vintage glasses, tea cups, and tins from the artist’s collection to make both environmentally conscious and uniquely stylish candles for this special time of year. You’ll go home with two candles mixed with your very own scent combinations using a variety of winter themed fragrance oils – think Christmas tree, gingerbread cookies, a crackling fire and more! Special decorations, including cinnamon, candy canes, holiday ribbons, etc. will be provided to adorn our candles. Come enjoy an afternoon making perfect gifts just in time for the holidays! Beginners are welcome in this workshop – no experience is required.

All materials and instruction. PLEASE NOTE: a drying time of at least 20 minutes will be required to transport candles.
Reservations required.

$75 Museum Members - $105 Non-Members
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235

TOUR

Holidays with the Heywards Tour
Wednesday, December 13 | 4:00 PM

Celebrate this holiday season at the Heyward Washington House. Join Curator of History Chad Stewart for a themed guided tour of the Heyward Washington House. Learn how early Americans celebrated the winter holidays. Experience the Heyward-Washington House decorated for Christmas and indulge in holiday punch and cookies as you celebrate the season as the Heywards would!

$25 Museum Member | $40 Non-Member
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235

CHILDREN EVENTS

Winter Break Camp
Thursday, November 16 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

There’s snow-place like the Charleston Museum! Kick off your winter break with our half-day Museum Camp. Children will travel through time learning about history around the world while participating in STEAM-focused crafts, activities, and guided tours of the exhibits. All camps include crafts, activities, and admission to the Charleston Museum. Ages 6 to 11.
Reservations required. Cancellations must be requested one week in advance for a refund minus $50 administration fee.

$45 Museum Members | $55 Non-Members per day
$125 Museum Members | $155 Non-Members for all three days.
For more information, call 843.722.2996 ext. 236.

Holiday Workshop
Wednesday, December 20 - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Deck the halls at the Charleston Museum with our annual Holiday Workshop. Children can sip on hot chocolate and eat cookies as they create their own ornaments and decorations to take home or use to decorate the Little Heyward House in Kidstory. The decorations will be on view the month of December for all to enjoy. Suitable for all ages. Reservations required.

$10 Museum Members - $15 Non-members
For more information: call 843-722-2996 ext. 236

Marvelous Maps Workshop
Thursday, December 28 - 10:00 AM -12:00 PM
Become a cartographer for the day! Learn how to read different types of maps, examine maps made throughout the centuries, and create your very own map to take home! Museum Workshops offer kids a chance to get hands-on with history and natural history. Included in our workshops are a lesson on the topic and hands-on activities. Recommended for children ages 6 to 12. Reservations required.

$10 Museum Members - $15 Non-Members
For more information: call 843-722-2996 ext. 236

CHILDREN EVENTS

MUSEUM BLOG

2023: A Year in Review
Season’s greetings to all our Museum friends! On behalf of The Charleston Museum Board of Trustees and staff, I wish you a joyous and healthy holiday season. Thank you to all of you who have made contributions to our Annual Appeal.

2023 has been a tremendous year for America’s First Museum as we have commemorated 250 years since our founding. We kicked off this celebration on January 12, the 250th anniversary of the Charleston Library Society’s creation of a “museum” that would become The Charleston Museum, with a keynote presentation by Dr. Anthea Hartig, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Dr. Hartig gave a wonderful address, and we received letters of recognition for this momentous occasion from Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Tim Scott. The positive press we received related to the anniversary also helped drive the tremendous surge in visitation we have seen this year. To date, attendance at the Museum is at its highest level since 2001.

UPCOMING EXHIBITS

The Art of Abstraction: Modernism in Quilting

JANUARY 20 - SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Historic Textiles Gallery

CURRENT EXHIBITS

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

NOW ON VIEW UNTIL JANUARY 7, 2024

Historic Textiles Gallery

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

NOW ON VIEW

Lowcountry Image Gallery

PERMANENT EXHIBITS

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COVID-19 Resources

Coronavirus Resource Guide Preppers Guide

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