COLLECTIONS
The South Carolina State Museum houses a diverse collection of more than 70,000 pieces of art, artifacts, fossils and more. The museum’s collection and permanent exhibits focus on four disciplines which reflect the rich history of South Carolina dating from the pre-historic era to the present.
Iconic museum artifacts are now on display in the museum’s new lobby. These objects were chosen by State Museum curators to represent each of the museum’s four disciplines: art, history, natural history and science and technology.
Interested in donating an object to the museum’s collection? Click HERE to learn more about how the acceptance and donation process works.
Online Collections Resources
Learn more about your family heirlooms or search a select group of objects and photographs from the State Museum’s collection courtesy of University of South Carolina Libraries Digital Collections.
Object Information Request
For those curious about their heirlooms, pieces of artwork, objects found while cleaning up, etc. the museum is offers an online Object Information Request Form. Members of the public can submit the form and museum staff will be in touch to help identify objects, find research and offer conservation resources. Click HERE to access the form.
The Robert B. Ariail Collection of Historical Astronomy
This incredibly rare collection of American made telescopes and astronomical equipment, donated to the museum by amateur astronomer Robert B. Ariail, features instruments dating back to 1730. Thanks to a partnership with University of South Carolina Libraries Digital Collections, many of these instruments can be found online. Click HERE to explore the collection.
Standard Federal Photograph Collection
Students at the University of South Carolina’s Digital Library created this website of over 140 historic photos of Columbia from the Museum’s collection. Click HERE to explore the collection.