South Carolina State Museum

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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.
Pillars of Creation Image from James Webb Space Telescope Courtesy NASA
Planetarium

James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds

Featuring images visualized in brilliant 4K resolution, this special live planetarium experience explores the science behind the James Webb mission.
Group of students in purple shirts stand with adult educator with giant shark jaw mounted on wall behind them.

Summer Camps

Register now for week long camps focused on a variety of subjects from astronomy to art - and even robots!
Close up of the profiles of 3 women as the look up at the planetarium dome which displays colorful lights and lasers.

Friday Night Laser Lights

Enjoy special shows featuring lasers choreographed to iconic music inside the museum’s 55ft digital dome BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Planetarium.
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

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Plan Your Visit
African-American baseball player stands against a wooden wall as he pulls on his gloves to prepare for his time at bat.

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

This exhibition highlights the story of the 521 All-Stars team of Rembert, SC, a Black baseball team with roots going back to the 1920s. 

View the 521 All-Stars Exhibition

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
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...

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
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