South Carolina State Museum

Home

Halloween Event, Columbia, South Carolina State Museum, Growl at the Moon, things to do
The South Carolina State Museum is excited to announce a month of exciting Halloween shows and events this October!
Group of people walking up stairs towards a large brick building with a banner over the entrance that reads "We're Open! Welcome!"

35th Anniversary

The South Carolina State Museum first opened its doors in 1988 and we are celebrating with events, programs and more!
Jack O lantern sitting on DJ turntables with green lasers behind it
Enjoy a frightful night at the State Museum with special laser show experiences available for one night only!
South Carolina State Museum. Columbia, South Carolina, Museum, Attraction, Planetarium, Observatory, 4D Theater, Exhibitions

Plan Your Visit

Visit today and explore four floors of permanent and changing exhibitions, a digital dome planetarium, 4D interactive theater and an observatory.
Dad with son on his shoulders points at the antique Anderson Car on display with Mom and daughter nearby.
Support

Become a Member

Join the fun and save all year when you become a member of the State Museum!

Museum Hours

Open today from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

South Carolina State Museum301 Gervais StreetColumbia, SC 29201

Get Directions
Plan Your Visit
Front of A Study [#6]

Search the Collections

Explore the museum's art collection online, featuring traditional portraiture and decorative arts to contemporary work and more.

Discover More

Field Trips for 2023-2024 School Year

Educators, now is the time to plan your State Museum field trip for 2023-2024! Enjoy a variety of standards based offerings that will bring learning to life for you students.

Group of small students and two adults exits a white bus parked next to the South Carolina State Museum

Explore Exhibitions

Explore the history behind South Carolina astronaut Charles Duke's Apollo 16 lunar mission and learn about scientists and engineers who have...
Suitable for All Ages
Included with Admission
Wheelchair Accessible
Make Some Noise: the Science of Sound engages guests of all ages in an interactive world of sound! Explore the way sound travels, how humans and...
Suitable for All Ages
Included with Admission
Wheelchair Accessible

Accessibility at the Museum

The South Carolina State Museum is committed to providing accessible and inclusive experiences for our guests. 

Guide presents ASL interpretation during planetarium show
Two hands in blue latex glove hold a whale tooth carved with a bird and images of ships and the sea
Collections

Explore Our Collections

The South Carolina State Museum houses a diverse collection of more than 1 million pieces of art, artifacts, fossils, specimen and more. The...

Man in white shirt stands in front an open door with antique binoculars inside as he shows them off to a small group of adults.
Collections

Science and Technology

The museum's science and technology collection includes a very diverse range of objects, including: tools, cars, farm equipment, vintage televisions...

Four framed paintings are mounted on the uppermost section of a rolling rack in the museum's art storage room.
Exhibitions

Art

The museum is home to more than 4,500 pieces of South Carolina art from traditional portraiture and decorative arts to contemporary work and more.

Full length skeleton of a prehistoric creature with a long, elongated body, two short legs and a thin, alligator like head.
Collections

Natural History

The extensive Natural History Collection contains an estimated 1 million fossils and specimens, organized into three major components: biology...

South Carolina State Museum Planetarium Exterior

Plan Your Visit

Explore four floors of exhibitions, enjoy 4D theater and planetarium shows and discover the universe in the observatory.

Plan Your Visit