South Carolina offers wonderfully preserved places to learn about its Native American heritage. Here are 8 of the best:
Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina (Walhalla)
This museum educates visitors on the Upstate’s Cherokee history, displaying artifacts and sharing stories of the Lower Towns—once thriving villages scattered across northwest South Carolina.
Native American Studies Center (USC Lancaster)
Housed in a state-of-the-art facility, this center features exhibits on Catawba pottery, archaeology, oral history labs, and archives, making it a hub for researching and experiencing Native American culture in the state.
Calhoun County Museum and Cultural Center
Located in St. Matthews, this museum offers guided tours and showcases Native American artifacts alongside exhibits on regional history, making it a family-friendly educational destination.
Oconee Station State Historic Site
Set in the Blue Ridge foothills, Oconee Station interprets American Indian life and frontier history through annual Native American Day events and living demonstrations like pottery and bow making.
Charles Towne Landing Historic Site
This birthplace of South Carolina recounts the earliest interactions between Native Americans, English colonists, and Africans, providing visitors valuable context for the state’s cultural origins.
Edisto Beach State Park – Spanish Mount Shell Midden Site
Walk the Spanish Mount Trail to see a 3,000–4,000-year-old shell midden, considered either a ceremonial site or an ancient refuse heap, revealing early Native settlements along the coast.
South Carolina State Museum (Columbia)
The museum’s fourth-floor galleries trace 14,000 years of history, bringing early Native American cultures and artifacts to life for visitors of all ages.
Pickens County Museum of Art and History
This museum preserves Cherokee artifacts and features pottery, objects, and interpretive resources showcasing the region’s Native roots and the lasting influence of local tribes.
Each of these sites and museums shares a unique approach to Native American heritage, allowing visitors to engage with South Carolina’s indigenous story through exhibits, education, and interactive experiences.
Sources
(https://visitoconeesc.com/museum-cherokee-sc/)
(https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/cherokee-museum-of-south-carolina)
(https://cherokeemuseumsc.org)
(https://charlestonlibrarysociety.libguides.com/c.php?g=1123417&p=8329526)
(https://sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/lancaster/study/student_opportunities/native_american_studies_center/)
