Tours for both historic houses are on the half hour from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and 12 to 5 pm Sunday. Last tour of the day begins at 4:15 pm at the Heyward-Washington House and 4:30 pm at the Joseph ManigaultHouse

January 1 - Happy New Year! Museum and historic houses OPEN

January 4 - Kid Tours: Dino Droppings

January 6 - Fossil Friday with the Natural History Department

January 12* - 250th Anniversary Commemoration of America's First Museum

January 13* - Nighttime at the Museum 21+

January 14 - The Charleston Museum's 250th Birthday Party!

January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Museum and houses OPEN

January 19* - Homeschool History Day: Fossil Frenzy

January 19* - Ale and Artifacts Happy Hour at Holy City Brewing

January 20 - Fossil Friday with the Natural History Department

January 26* - Special 250th Early Days Gallery Tour with Director Carl Borick

January 27 - Fossil Friday with the Natural History Department

*Reservations Required

EVENTS

250TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

250th Anniversary Commemoration of America’s First Museum, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Anthea M. Hartig, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History

Thursday, January 12 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM

FREE EVENT with registration

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21+ Nighttime at the Museum

Friday, January 13| 7:00 - 10:00 PM

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The Charleston Museum's 250th Birthday Party

Saturday, January 14 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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TOURS

Special 250th Early Days Gallery Tour with Director Carl Borick

Thursday, January 26 | 3:30 PM

Celebrate the Charleston Museum's 250th anniversary with a tour of the Museum’s earliest collections in the Early Days gallery, which reflects the Museum’s long history from its founding before the American Revolution to the late twentieth century. Following the tour of Early Days, guests will be led through the Museum's special exhibit America's First Museum: 250 Years of Collecting, Preserving, and Educating, Part 1, highlighting objects from ancient Rome, a Chief’s helmet from the Sandwich Islands acquired in 1798 and Japanese Samurai armor. Join Director, Carl Borick, for the story of the Museum's institutional history and take a closer look at some of its earliest objects that have fascinated the public for years.

This program is FREE for Members and FREE with admission.

Reservations Preferred.

For more information call 843.722.2996 ext. 235

WORKSHOPS

Sweetgrass Basket Weaving Workshop with

Local Artisan Sarah Edwards-Hammond

Saturday, February 4 | 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.

All materials and instruction provided in this workshop.

Space is limited. Reservations required.

$75 Museum Members | $105 Non-Members

Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235

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Valentine Candle Making Workshop with

Local Artist Daisy McClellan

Saturday, February 11 | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Join local artist Daisy McClellan for a special Valentine's candle making workshop using vintage vessels. McClellan will instruct participants on the history of candle making and how to make candles from start to finish. Valentine themed teacups, glasses and tins locally sourced by the artist will be provided to make eco-friendly and unique candles. Participants will create two candles mixed with their individual scent combinations using a variety of fragrance oils and dried flowers. You'll also have the opportunity to dye your candles red! Grab your love or your bestie and join us for a fabulous time!

All materials and instruction provided in this workshop.

Space is limited. Reservations required.

$75 Museum Members | $105 Non-Members

Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235

REGISTER

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

Kid Tours: Dino Droppings

Wednesday, January 4 | 3:30 - 4:30 PM

How do scientists know what dinosaurs ate? Learn all about coprolites and other fossils as you explore our Natural History Gallery. Create your own fossil and examine real dinosaur poop! Kid Tours is a series designed to highlight artifacts from our collection that have fascinated children for years. Kid Tours meet the first Wednesday during the months of August to May at 3:30 PM. This program includes a tour highlighting the weekly theme and an engaging craft project or educational activity.

FREE for Members and FREE with admission to The Charleston Museum.

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Homeschool History Day: Fossil Frenzy

Thursday, January 19 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM & 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Learn about the wonderful and weird creatures that lived long ago by examining the only thing they left behind. Learn about different types of fossils, how they are created, and what scientists learn by studying these ancient relics. Examine fossils and cast your own to take home.  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

REGISTER

CHILDREN EVENTS

MUSEUM BLOG

The Founding of America’s First Museum

This is an exciting month for The Charleston Museum as January 12 marks the

250th anniversary of the founding of a “museum,” that would eventually become the wonderful institution we know today. Comprised of some of the leading learned men of the colony of South Carolina, the Charlestown Library Society was responsible for the creation of this museum. Some of the Society’s members who helped found it, such as Thomas Heyward, Jr., and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, had studied law at Middle Temple in London, and were surely influenced in this new endeavor by their exposure to the British Museum, the two being just over a mile apart.

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COLLECTIONS ONLINE

The Charleston Museum offers an online catalog of the collections. This online catalog represents only a portion of the collections, but it is regularly updated, so check back often.

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