Our Harvesting Heritage series will be returning to the Museum on Saturday, June 6, with Harvesting Heritage: Voices from the Mosquito Fleet. 🌊
Hear from storyteller and leader in Lowcountry conservation efforts, Tia Clark (@the_casual_crabber ), in discussion with Chef Amethyst Ganaway (@thizzg ) about the lives and legacy of South Carolina’s coastal pioneers, the Black fisherman of the legendary Mosquito Fleet. 🎤
The evening will also feature:
🐟 Fish fry curated by @chef_reggiemiller of Miller Cuisines
🍽️ Red rice by Chef Amethyst Ganaway
🍰 Chewies by the Lorraine Guild
🍹 Handcrafted cocktails by Will Green (@wllgng )
🎟️ Learn more and get your tickets today through the Harvesting Heritage link in our bio 🔗
Alongside the upcoming Bird Photographer of the Year exhibition, which features stunning images of birds from around the world, we’re also inviting guests to explore birds a little closer to home. 🐦
"South Carolina Wings of Wonder" draws from the museum’s natural history collection to highlight the incredible diversity of birdlife found across the Palmetto State, from raptors and shorebirds to songbirds you may recognize.
🪺 "South Carolina Wings of Wonder" and "Bird Photographer of the Year" will both open on Saturday, March 7th!
📅 Save the date for Flock Fest on Saturday, March 21, 2026, for hands-on activities, gallery tours, birding opportunities, and a chance to learn more about our statewide birding challenge!
Big Percy has arrived! 👏
Created by renowned Gullah Geechee artist and Mount Pleasant native Corey Alston, Big Percy is more than a work of art. It's a celebration of South Carolina history, culture, and craftsmanship, precisely woven together on an extraordinary scale.
We are excited to announce this extraordinary new addition to the museum's collection was officially unveiled this morning. Thank you so much to @corey_alston_sweetgrassbasket and his family for being with us for the big reveal, and to all of our amazing staff, cultural and community partners, the SCSM Commission and Foundation Board, and members of the media for joining us.
You can see "Big Percy" in the Lipscomb Art Gallery on your next visit to the museum!🧺
Corey Alston has emerged as one of the most respected stewards of Gullah Geechee heritage today. His baskets have been commissioned by institutions including the Smithsonian, the Duke Endowment, the Charleston Visitors Center, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, and the International African American Museum (IAAM). The acquisition of “Big Percy,” which was unveiled earlier this year has earned the South Carolina State Museum a place on this list.
His work continues the centuries old tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving, a sacred and skilled artform passed down through generations. Today, @corey_alston_sweetgrassbasket is continuing that legacy by sharing the craft with future generations. Following in her father’s footsteps, Corren Alston has learned the art herself and built an impressive sweetgrass collection of her own.
Hear from these fifth and sixth generation weavers as they share their journey of carrying this tradition forward at our upcoming Artist Talk with Corey and Corren Alston!
📆 Saturday, May 23rd
⌚ 11 a.m.
🎟️ Included with museum general admission or membership
*We encourage pre-registration for this FREE event! You can register through the link in our bio!
#SCSMArtistTalk #SCSM #FromTheVault #SweetgrassBasketWeaving #GullahGeecheeArtist #BigPercy #SouthCarolinaCraft #CoreyAlston
Take a look at some of these unforgettable moments from past Harvesting Heritage events. 📸
From engaging conversations and hands-on experiences to specialty drinks and delicious food, Harvesting Heritage offers an experience everyone can enjoy. 💙
Join us on June 6 for Harvesting Heritage: Voices From the Mosquito Fleet and experience it for yourself.
The evening will feature:
🎤Tia Clark (@the_casual_crabber ) in discussion with Chef Amethyst Ganaway (@thizzg ) about the lives and legacy of South Carolina’s coastal pioneers, the Black fisherman of the legendary Mosquito Fleet
🐟 Fish fry curated by @chef_reggiemiller of Miller Cuisines
🍽️ Red rice by Chef Amethyst Ganaway
🍰 Chewies by the Lorraine Guild
🍹 Handcrafted cocktails by Will Green (@wllgng )
🎟️ Get your tickets through the link in our bio! 🔗
🔥 When the South Carolina heat starts to set in, don't forget about all of the family fun you can have with the entire family at our South Carolina State Museum! 🦖 From giant sharks to the dinosaur bones, there's tons of things to explore inside!
📍 South Carolina State Museum, Columbia SC
📸 @canonusa R6
💡 @godoxlighting AD 200
📸 Lola Dee Photography
#columbiasouthcarolina #commercialphotography #brandingphotographer #canon #godox
Take a look at what SCSM's Curator of Natural History, Dr. Scott Persons, just found in the badlands of Alberta, Canada. 👀
It's the shed tooth of a baby Troodon (a kind of raptor dinosaur). Dinosaurs were like sharks and continuously shed teeth throughout their lives.
Dr. Persons is in Alberta to present new dinosaur research at a symposium hosted by the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. 🦖
#FossilFriday
Vita. Potior. Libertas.
A motto worth dying for. An exhibition 250 years in the making. This June, explore South Carolina’s critical role in declaring and fighting for independence during the American Revolution.
American Battleground: South Carolina’s Revolution
📅 Opening June 27, 2026
📍 South Carolina State Museum
Learn more at scmuseum.org
Want to show your support for the South Carolina State Museum Foundation during Midlands Gives today, May 5th? You can choose to designate your gift to a specific area this year!
🎨 The Art Fund | Help us acquire significant works of art, as well as conserve and preserve existing pieces. These funds ensure that the Museum can continue to reflect the rich and evolving artistic traditions of South Carolina.
📜 The History Fund | Ensure our state’s stories aren't just remembered, but actively shared. Your gift supports the preservation, interpretation, and expansion of the Museum’s extensive cultural history collection—bringing to life the people, events, and experiences that have shaped South Carolina across centuries.
🦖 The Natural History Fund | The Museum’s natural history collection includes fossils, minerals, plants, and animal specimens. These collections provide a vital scientific record and serve as a foundation for exhibitions, research, and educational programming that connect visitors to the natural world.
🚀 The Science & Technology Fund | From space science and engineering to physics, energy, and emerging technologies, the Museum’s science and technology collections can spark curiosity and inspire lifelong learning. Support STEM education, cutting-edge tech exhibitions, and the future of innovation in SC.
👉 Ready to make a difference? Click the link in our bio, designate your gift to your selected fund, and help us keep the wonders of South Carolina accessible for everyone.
#midlandsgives2026
Did you know South Carolina students visit the State Museum for FREE? 👀
By making a gift through #midlandsgives2026 today, May 5th, you are investing in the future of the South Carolina State Museum. Your support makes it possible for the Foundation to assist the museum in creating a world-class institution that showcases the people, places, and stories of South Carolina.
➡️ Your support will help the Museum bring learning to life for classrooms across the state. Donate online through the link in our bio!
📣 Midlands Gives continues today, May 5th! This 18-hour give-a-thon brings the community together to raise funds and awareness for nonprofits across the Midlands.
Want to show your support for the South Carolina State Museum Foundation? This year, you can choose to designate your gift to a specific area, like the Annual Fund, which supports immediate and ongoing museum needs.
From launching high-quality exhibitions to funding educational programming and community outreach, a gift today in support of the Annual Fund will make a direct impact on the State Museum.
👉 Donate online today through the link in our bio! 🔗
#midlandsgives2026
