Native Communities of South Carolina

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A ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place inside the South Carolina State Museum’s “Native Communities of South Carolina” exhibition. Four people stand together holding a blue ribbon as one person cuts it with large scissors. Two participants wear crowns and sashes representing Native American titles, while others smile and watch the moment. Display cases and exhibit signage about Catawba clay traditions are visible in the background.

Native Communities of South Carolina

This new display honors the culture and history of native communities, featuring objects from the museum's collection, including a display on Catawba...

Museum visitors view pottery and artifacts displayed in the “Traditions in Catawba Clay: Highlights from the Museum Collection” section of the South Carolina State Museum’s Native Communities of South Carolina gallery. The exhibit features clay vessels and informational panels about Native peoples’ history and craftsmanship, including a large wall display titled “Resilience and Revolution: Native Peoples in 18th Century South Carolina.”

Native Communities of South Carolina

This new display honors the culture and history of native communities, featuring objects from the museum's collection, including a display on Catawba...

Visitors explore a display in the South Carolina State Museum’s “Native Communities of South Carolina” gallery. The exhibit features informational panels, tribal seals, photographs, and cultural artifacts including a wooden paddle and a woven rivercane piece. A woman reads the exhibit text while another person with a camera stands nearby.

Native Communities of South Carolina

This new display honors the culture and history of native communities, featuring objects from the museum's collection, including a display on Catawba...

Museum visitors view pottery and artifacts displayed in the “Traditions in Catawba Clay: Highlights from the Museum Collection” section of the South Carolina State Museum’s Native Communities of South Carolina gallery. The exhibit features clay vessels and informational panels about Native peoples’ history and craftsmanship, including a large wall display titled “Resilience and Revolution: Native Peoples in 18th Century South Carolina.”
Changing Exhibition

Native Communities of South Carolina

This new display honors the culture and history of native communities, featuring objects from the museum's collection, including a display on Catawba pottery.

Museum Hours

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

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This recently updated display explores the important role Native Communities play in the culture and history of South Carolina. Guests will learn about the nine SC tribes currently recognized by the federal government in the state, as well as see related objects on exhibit.

The display includes a section on "Traditions in Catawba Clay," which features pottery from the museum's collection. Catawba pottery is one of the oldest continuous art traditions in the Southeast. Passed down through generations, Catawba potters hand-shape clay gathered from sacred clay holes near the Catawba River. 

The gallery also includes an excerpt from the museum's traveling exhibition, Resilience & Revolution: Native Peoples in 18th Century South Carolina, which explores the struggles experienced by Indigenous peoples in South Carolina to retain their independence following the establishment of the Carolina colony by the British.

Admission

Included with museum general admission.

Adult: $13  
Senior (Ages 62+): $11
Children (Ages 3-12): $10 
Members: FREE

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