South Carolina State Museum

History Exhibits 

Mud, Sweat and Cheers: Football in the Palmetto State

Bring the excitement, drama, history and fun of American football into your gallery. The exhibit includes information about both high school and college football and features Carolina players who have gone on to the professional game.  “This exhibit examines the history of the game in the Palmetto State,” says Fritz Hamer, chief curator of history at the South Carolina State Museum. “It looks at how the rules have changed over the 20th century and examines how football expanded from being largely a collegiate sport in the first half of the century into the huge spectator sport it has become since the 1960’s.” The exhibit also includes a cut away version of the X1 Football Helmet from Zenith® and text panels describing concussions and how new shock absorber technology helps reduce injury.

Specs:
• Approximately 100 linear feet
• 12 text panels describing the game 36” x 48”
• 20 college panels 24” x 32”
• 13 biography panels of players and coaches 24” x 32”
• 11 photo panels of various sizes
• 3 text panels for the Zenith® helmet
• One lighted display case for helmets 17” x 47” x 53”
• Zenith® helmet and cut away version of helmet

Cost:
• $300 for one month rental
• $450 for two months rental
• $600 for three months rental

Security: medium
Transportation requirements: van

The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls

Camera Man's Journey: Julian Dimock's South

These historic photographs were taken in and around Columbia, Beaufort, and Hilton Head between 1904 and 1905 by noted photographer Julian Dimock. Dimock's large format images show men, women, families and a significant number of children engaged in everyday life - at work, at home and at play. They document the clothing, tools, toys as well as the landscape and architecture of the period. These pictures are a valuable resource for learning about life for African-Americans at the turn-of-the-twentieth-century.

Specs:
• 36 wood framed images 26” x 32”
• Approximately 110 linear feet

Cost:
• $300 for one month rental
• $440 for two months rental
• $600 for three months rental
 

Security: medium

Transportation Requirements: Van 

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521 All-Stars: A Championship Story of Baseball and Community

Security: low
Transportation requirements: Cargo van with no seats

Chapters in South Carolina History: Colonial Life

Experience colonial life in the South through this insightful exhibit.  See how lives were impacted and how South Carolina was forever changed after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Specs: 31 exhibit panels 28" x 32"

Cost

• $275 for one month rental

• $400 for two month rental

• $500 for three month rental

The First South Carolinians

The Life and Times of the First Cultures in the Palmetto State

During the Ice Age water frozen in glaciers lowered sea levels and exposed land. Anthropologists and archaeologists believe that a land bridge emerged connecting Russia and Alaska between 14,000 and 12,000 years ago. The earliest people, PaleoIndians, crossed it to North America following game and exploring land. Within 1,000 years of their immigration, what is now South Carolina had its earliest residents.

Specs: 27 exhibit 28” x 32” panels and 8 objects

Security: Moderate
Transportation Requirements: Cargo van

The Forgotten War

The Palmetto Regiment and the Mexican War, 1846-1917

In 1846 the United States declared war on Mexico, and President James K. Polk’s administration called for volunteers. South Carolina contributed 10 companies, the Palmetto Regiment. After two years of long marches, disease and battles interspersed with long periods of boredom, the Palmetto Regiment returned home, reduced in numbers but welcomed as heroes.