Overview | Collections | Offerings

Regional History Museum - Overview

The Spartanburg Regional History Museum has been in operation since 1961.  The Museum recently relocated to the Chapman Cultural Center at 200 E. St. John Street on the second floor of the West Wing (also known as the Carlos Dupre Moseley building).  For our long-time friends and frequent visitors, don't worry, your old favorites are still here.  You can still see the permanent wave machine and the Pardo Stone, but all of our artifacts are now proudly presented in beautiful, professionally-designed exhibits.  If you've never visited the Regional History Museum, it's time you did!

What's there to see and do?

Permanent exhibits at the Museum offer a walk through time from the early days of Spanish explorers like Juan Pardo to the late 20th century.  While you're looking at the artifacts on this main exhibit table, don't miss out on the fact that the table is made from wood salvaged from Riverdale Mill.  You will notice as you come up the stairs to enter the museum that the bell from Riverdale Mill is hanging in the entryway.  While there is an exhibit area that focuses solely on Spartanburg County's rich textile heritage, evidence of that heritage is sprinkled throughout the exhibits.  

Other permanent exhibits focus on the broad military history of Spartanburg County from the fight for American Independence to the training camps located here during World Wars I & II.  Camps Wadsworth and Croft and the men who trained there left an indelible mark on Spartanburg.  To satisfy curious minds and active hands, Spartanburg By the Numbers and Spartanburg Firsts offer details about our history behind small doors just waiting to be opened.  There is also plenty to see in the Where People Meet exhibit, where you can glimpse the leisure activities of Spartans for the last 100 years or so.

The decorative arts gallery showcases the Museum's outstanding collection of Spartanburg and Piedmont area furniture, including those pieces displaying the distinctive half-penny inlay.  In this area you'll also find locally made pottery, hand crafted quilts and samplers, and other artwork.  The rotating exhibit space changes every two to three months, so there is always something new to see when you visit the History Museum.  You won't want to miss our special exhibits for Black History and Women's History months, and coming this summer, a special exhibit on loan from the Charleston Museum:  The Redcoats in South Carolina.

Before you go, check out our Picture Yourself in Spartanburg History photo booth.  You can get your own photo taken with one of several historic backgrounds as a souvenir to take home with you.

What's New?  Temporary Exhibits

The Regional History Museum has a rotating exhibit space that offers changing exhibits every two to three months so there is always something new to see.  Here is a sampling of this year's rotating exhibits: Exhibts are subject to change please call: 864 596-3501
April 30- July 18 2009 " Charting our Heritage" an exhibt featuring maps of all ages and why the are important

August 11, 2009 October 3, 2009 Spartanburg Military Heroes-

October 16, 2009- November 7,2009 Happy Halloween exhbit

November 17, 2009 - January 22, 2010 Our Christmas exhibt

Where and When

The Museum is open Tuesday, thru Saturday from 10am to 5pm.  Thanks to generous sponsors, free for all visitors, exception of groups of 10 or more

Please check our events page regularly for special events.  For additional information, please contact 864-596-3501 or email regionalmuseum@spartanburghistory.org.

 

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