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Museum News

Halloween at the State Museum This October

The South Carolina State Museum is excited to announce a month of exciting Halloween shows and events this October!

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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!

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Jack O lantern sitting on DJ turntables with green lasers behind it

Event

Fright Night Laser Lights

Enjoy a frightful night at the State Museum with special laser show experiences available for one night only!

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South Carolina State Museum. Columbia, South Carolina, Museum, Attraction, Planetarium, Observatory, 4D Theater, Exhibitions

Visit

Plan Your Visit

Visit today and explore four floors of permanent and changing exhibitions, a digital dome planetarium, 4D interactive theater and an observatory.

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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!

Join Today

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

Shark: A 4D Experience®

New show! Explore the complex nature of some of the world’s most strange and mysterious ocean species in BBC Earth’s Shark: A 4D Experience®.

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Great White Shark swimming underwater with the title "Shark 4-D Experience" above it

College students from across the state are invited to experience the South Carolina State Museum after hours!

Additional Ticket Required

Adult Event

Wheelchair Accessible

Explore a variety of infamous and legendary tales throughout South Carolina’s history with this special tour experience.

Included with Admission

Wheelchair Accessible

Each month the museum hosts a special morning designed for families of children, teenagers, young adults and adults who would benefit from a quieter, sensory-friendly and disability-adapted experience.

ASL Interpretation

Assistive Listening Device

Captioning Available

Included with Admission

Suitable for All Ages

Wheelchair Accessible

Search the Collections

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

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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.

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

This photography exhibition depicts baseball in its purest form: scrap metal bases, rotten wood bleachers, teams made up of brothers, fathers, sons...

Included with Admission

Suitable for All Ages

Wheelchair Accessible

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.

Learn More about Accessibility at the Museum

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...

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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...

Learn More about Science and Technology