South Carolina Historical Society, Historical society and archive in Charleston, United States.
The South Carolina Historical Society is an archive and museum in Charleston that holds manuscripts, photographs, maps, and books spanning several centuries. The collection documents the state's development from its earliest days to the present.
The archive was founded in 1855 and is housed in a historic building known as the Fireproof Building. It preserves records that span more than 350 years of South Carolina's past.
The exhibitions here showcase stories from South Carolina's past through documents and photographs that reveal different perspectives on regional life. Visitors discover how ordinary people and major events shaped the way the state developed across generations.
The archive is located in Charleston's historic district and welcomes visitors throughout the week. Plan your visit in advance, as certain collections may require registration or advance notice to view.
The Fireproof Building, designed by Robert Mills in 1822, was the first structure in the United States built specifically to protect documents from fire. Its three-story oval stairwell has cantilevered stone steps lit by skylights in the cupola. Mills, the first professionally trained architect born in the country, also designed the Washington Monument.
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