Home | South Carolina State Museum

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.

Learn More

Face jug sits on cart as two hands in blue gloves grasp either side as if it just about to be picked up

Collections

Search the Collection

Now available to explore online, the South Carolina State Museum's art collection is home to more than 4,500 works of fine and folk art, historic and...

Learn More

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!

Learn More

Astronaut sits wearing a white spacesuit with a red, dusty landscape visible behind them

Planetarium

MARS: One Thousand One

Escape the heat and go on an adventure to Mars in this visually stunning planetarium experience.

Learn More

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

The museum is closed today

South Carolina State Museum301 Gervais StreetColumbia, SC 29201

Get Directions

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®.

Buy Tickets

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

A man and woman bend down towards a table to examine a large, old leather bound book

Collection Spotlight: William Turpin Bible (1815)

Take a closer look at this recently acquired object in the museum's collection: a Bible owned by William Turpin, a Charleston merchant and enslaver turned abolitionist.

Discover More About the Turpin Bible

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.

Learn More about Field Trips

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...

Learn More about Collections

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