Charleston Museum

It should now be no surprise that we love history. And what better place to explore that love than in a museum. Charleston’s Museum is one of the oldest in the United States. In fact, it touts itself as “America’s First Museum.” Founded in 1773 (but not open to the public until 1824), the museum recreates the history of Charleston and the Low Country, including “...everything from early southern culture and decorative arts to military and natural history,” (quoted from their own website). Located on Meeting Street opposite Charleston’s Visitor Center, it is the home to the only known fossil of the largest flying bird ever discovered; the Pelagornis sandersi (with a reported wing span of 20 to 24 feet). While visiting this museum, we were reminded of the Peabody-Essex Museum back in Salem, Massachusetts (which was originally founded in 1799 as the East India Marine Society).

”America’s First Museum” on Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina (founded in 1773).

This marble faced clock had been in use at the police station on the corner of Hutson and King Streets between 1880 and 1900. Connected to a fire alarm system, it would record the time when an alarm was sounded by stopping.

Traveling salesmen were ubiquitous throughout the south during the late 19th century. Their samples trunk carried everything from combs to purses...

...and coffee grinders were not the counter top types we have today.

Apothecaries of the 1800’s did not look like any of today’s pharmacies. Many served as “Medicine Warehouses.”

While life may have seemed more “genteel” back then...

...it was frought with many dangers. House fires were so concerning that the kitchens often were located in a separate building from the living quarters.

Pelagornis sandersi, with a wing span approaching 24 feet, was the largest flying bird known to exist.

Artist rendition of what this monster might have looked like.