Charleston’s Greatest Museums
Charleston, South Carolina is one of Americas most hidden historic cities. The city is filled with rich culture and military culture. Charleston’s past lays in its various museums. According to the Travel Channel, these are the Top 5!
The Charleston Museum
Founded in 1773, The Charleston museum is also titled “America’s First Museum.” If you take a look at Charleston’s museum mile, Charleston museum marks the beginning of a long line of Charleston’s history through art. Museum mile exists along Meeting Street where visitors get to enjoy the hundreds of artifacts defining Charleston’s agricultural and historical past. The museum also has some pretty awesome hands-on exhibits allowing visitors to examine cultivation tools and sweetgrass baskets that slaves used to harvest and cull rice in the fields. The museum also owns 2 historic houses, The Heyward-Washington House And Joseph Manigault House.
Gibbes Museum of Art
“Museum Mile” should have included the Gibbes Museum of Art. The art museum holds an intricate collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative art. The artwork is taken from eras including the Charleston Renaissance.
Karpeles Manuscript Museum
The Karpeles Manuscript Museum hold the worlds largest collection of historic manuscripts. The museum was originally a methodist church, the structure also served as a hospital mid Civil War. The Karpeles Manuscript Museum is sponsored by philanthropist David Karpeles, who also funds 7 other document repositories nationwide. The museum interchanges exhibits regularly, so visit the website to find out what’s on view in order to plan your visit!
American LaFrance Fire Museum
North Charleston holds the nation’s greatest collection of American LaFrance firefighting trucks, all admiringly restored. The museum contains shiny engines and horse-drawn fire wagons providing visitors with a lesson in America’s firefighting history. But don’t worry, the experience doesn’t stop there. There are also interactive exhibits! You’re able to lift the 00 pounds of equipment a firefighter wears on the job, while testing your knowledge of firefighting tools. The museum is also family fun! Children can climb a real firefighter’s ladder and slide down the fire pole on a large, indoor play set. Visit the site and plan a trip for the kids!
Originally published at davidmantek.net on March 25, 2015.
