“C” is for Charleston Museum. Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum is the oldest municipal museum in the United States. It originated as an auxiliary of the Charleston Library Society dedicated to the collection, preservation, and study of “materials promoting a Natural History” of South Carolina. Botanical and zoological specimens and cultural artifacts have comprised the majority of the museum’s collections since its founding. In 1907 the museum secured it first independent home and became an independent municipal institution. In 1980 the museum moved to a new building at 360 Meeting Street—where, for the first time the museum had a home for its collections, research facilities, and archives in a building designed to be a museum. The Charleston Museum sponsors publications and cultural events in addition to chronicling the natural and cultural history of South Carolina.
“C” is for Charleston Museum
