The Charleston Museum was the first museum built in America and was founded in 1773. It is located in the Downtown Historic District of Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...

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The main museum's exhibits include natural history and local history displays and decorative arts, including silver. One display features objects from the museum's origins in the late 18th century.

The museum also owns and operates two historic house museums:

• Heyward-Washington House
  Heyward-Washington House
  Heyward-Washington House is a historic house museum in Charleston, South Carolina that is owned and operated by the Charleston Museum. Furnished for the late 18th century, the house includes a collection of Charleston-made furniture...
  
   - late 18th century period home of Thomas Heyward, Jr., Revolutionary patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence
  Declaration of independence
  A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
  
  

• Joseph Manigault House
  Joseph Manigault House
  Joseph Manigault House is a historic house museum in Charleston, South Carolina that is owned and operated by the Charleston Museum. The house is significant for its Adam style architecture, and was designed by Gabriel Manigault to be the home of his brother, and was completed in 1803.It was...
  
   - Federal-style home decorated with American, English and French furnishing of the early 19th century

In addition to the two houses, the museum also maintains a piece of property called The Dill Sanctuary. From the site:

...located on James Island contains assorted habitats for wildlife and numerous cultural features including three earthen Confederate batteries and prehistoric, colonial, antebellum, and postbellum archaeological sites. The Dill Sanctuary has been protected for purposes of preservation, wildlife enhancement, research and education, and is used only for Museum-sponsored programs. Habitat has been enhanced by creation of a six-acre wildlife pond, with three nesting islands, which provides a reliable source of fresh water for animals and nesting sites for both migratory and resident birds. 2001 saw the construction of the Dill Education Center and bathroom facilities which hosts Museum education programs.

Collection Strengths

• Charleston Furniture
• Charleston Silver
• Lowcountry Textiles, including costumes, quilts, and needlework
• South Carolina Ceramics
• Egyptian Artifacts
  Glossary of Ancient Egypt artifacts
  -Glossary of ancient Egypt artifacts and materials:*Amulet—Predynastic, and onward.*Canopic jar—Vessel containing internal body organs removed during -Glossary of ancient Egypt artifacts and materials:*[[Amulet]]—Predynastic, and onward....
  
  
• Archives - Documentary and Photographic Resources
• South Carolina Ornithology
• Nineteenth Century Firearms

External links

• Charleston Museum - official site