Free Museums in Isle of Palms

"With a premier collection of over 10,000 American works, the Gibbes Museum of Art promotes and protects Charleston's rich cultural heritage through a vibrant artistic lens."

"Stand on the only remaining site used as a gallery in South Carolina’s slave auctions. The Old Slave Mart was once part of Ryan’s Mart, a complex that spread from Chalmers to Queen streets, and included a brick-enclosed yard, a slave jail, a kitchen and a “dead house,” or morgue. Slave auctions took place on this site until November 1863."

"Set on cobblestone Chalmers Street in the Historic District, the Old Slave Mart survives as a vestige of pre-Civil War Charleston. The museum is the only existing building in South Carolina where slaves were once auctioned. Built in 1859, the structure was originally open-ended; an imposing iron gate closed off its arched entrance."

"The Old Slave Mart Museum is possibly one of the most popular museums in Charleston. Visitors head here from all points in the U.S. and international cities to learn about the slave triangle of the 1700s and 1800s. The building is a rare example of an existing structure that once housed a slave mart in the South."

"This is a historic house museum administered and looked after by the Charleston National Museum. This was the town house of the famous Thomas Heyward Jr. who was one of the 4 signers of the Treaty of Independence of Charleston. The main reasons for the popularity of this place are the collection of lovely Charleston made furniture that are fine examples of the Colonial Era living and lifestyle,...Read more"

"Built in 1772, Charleston’s Revolutionary War House was the town home of Thomas Heyward, Jr., Revolutionary War patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence. The house features magnificent Charleston-made furniture and a formal 18th century garden."

"Meyer Vogl Gallery is another contemporary art gallery in Charleston. Just like other art galleries where both amateurs and experts get to showcase their talent, this art gallery is known to upgrade its exhibits from time to time. The highlight of Meyer Vogl Gallery is its workshops where one gets a chance to appreciate art and learn techniques that they can confidently apply."

"Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim is the fourth oldest Jewish congregation in the United States. It was founded in 1749 and has remained an important part of the Jewish community in Charleston. Its sanctuary was built in 1840, making it the second oldest synagogue building in the country and the oldest in continuous use."

"The fourth oldest synagogue in the US and the oldest in continuous use. The birthplace of American Reform Judaism in 1824."

"The Mace Brown Museum of Natural History, part of the College of Charleston, is based around the huge collection of fossils, mostly from South Carolina, donated by local businessman and fossil enthusiast Mace Brown. The museum displays around 1000 of the specimens from Brown’s collection, including fossilized remnants of prehistoric megafauna such as the giant sloth, giant beaver, saber-toothed cat, and cave bear; extinct species of whale; dinosaur bones; sharks’ teeth (and a megalodon jaw) and more. The museum is located inside of the School of Sciences and Mathematics Building at 202 Calhoun Street, in downtown Charleston."

"When it comes to fun and free things to do in Charleston, the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History should be at the top of your list. This paleontology museum is hosted by the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences at the College of Charleston. When you visit, you’ll find dinosaur bones, crinoids, cave bears, fossils, extinct mammals native to the Carolinas, and more."

"As well as a 3,600-square-foot ceramics gallery open to the public throughout the week, Cone 10 Studios offers classes and workshops in the various art forms which are on show and produced on-site. The porcelain and stoneware comes in traditional, functional forms which can be bought for your home or kitchen, and also in more conceptual, abstract forms which are both thought-provoking and aesthetically pleasing. Weekly classes are held in wheel-throwing, hand-building and teapot-making, in addition to a dedicated children’s program."

"Located in the Council Chamber of Charleston City Hall (1801), the gallery contains portraits of many important leaders, including one of George Washington by John Trumbull."

"Nestled in the College of Charleston, Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art aims at encouraging budding and experienced artist to explore and take their artistic acumen to a new level. This art gallery in Charleston is a non-profit organisation that focuses on specific subjects by actively participating in events and holding programmes where it sets a common stage for discussion through lectures, films, panels and symposia. The subjects of discussion mainly revolve around history and culture."

"The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston is the city’s only fully-free art museum, showcasing the contemporary art of emerging and mid-career artists from the southeast and across the world. The Halsey Institute has no permanent collection. Instead, its two galleries host rotating special exhibitions (usually about 6 per year), with additional free lectures, film screenings and other programs exploring the art and its broader context."

"The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston School of Arts features two interlinked museum quality exhibition spaces showcasing numerous works of art by emerging artists. The Institute also hosts a year-round schedule of screenings, panels, lectures and exhibitions."

"The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, one of Charleston’s less commonly visited attractions, offers an interesting insight into the city’s educational and cultural history. The Center itself is located in a historic building formerly occupied by the Avery Normal Institute, operated from 1865 to 1954 as a segregated school for Black secondary students. Things to see include a recreation of a 19th-century classroom, rotating exhibitions based on the Avery Research Center’s collections, and rotating art exhibitions featuring works from local South Carolina artists and members of the African diaspora."

"Magnolia Plantation is one of the most interesting plantations near Charleston, and one of the oldest in the entire South!. While it has a somber history and pays homage to the people who were enslaved there through tours and attractions, you will be blown away at its natural beauty. There are striking gardens covering the 464-acre Magnolia Plantation."

"If you love flowers, vast spaces, trees, nature, and peace, the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is the perfect place for you. The Drayton Family owned and lived on this property for centuries and is still owned by the family and now run by a board of governors. Thomas and Anne Drayton first built the first house on the property in 1676."

"Another renowned Southern plantation, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens sets the scene for those interested in regional ecology as well as local history."

"The Mary Martin Gallery of Fine Art was named one of the top 25 art galleries in the nation by the American Art Awards. The same organization awarded it the Best Gallery in South Carolina in 2016. The sculptures and painters on display here are diverse, spanning all genres and mediums."

"Located in the iconic French Quarter, the Principal Gallery of Charleston marks the coming together of American and international artists. A member of the Charleston Gallery Association, this art gallery is known for its impeccable contemporary art that lays emphasis on oil and bronze sculptures and visual representations. Suitable for both amateurs and experts, this art gallery in Charleston encourages an individual vision of every artist through its solo exhibitions, group shows and art fairs."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. Principle Gallery Charleston Art Services is traveling NORTH !. In case you haven’t heard, in August we began offering..."

"125 Meeting St Corner of Meeting and Queen, next to Eli's Table and Gibbes Museum, Charleston, SC 29401-2277+1 843-727-4500[email protected]http://www.principlegallery.com/charleston/"

"With a premier collection of over 10,000 American works, the Gibbes Museum of Art promotes and protects Charleston's rich cultural heritage through a vibrant artistic lens."