Here are 8 of the best places to learn about South Carolina Native American heritage:
Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina (Walhalla)
This museum showcases Cherokee artifacts and cultural items, preserving the story of the Cherokee in the Upstate. It offers exhibits and occasional special events, making it a significant resource for education about the Cherokee’s historical and modern presence in South Carolina.
Native American Studies Center (USC Lancaster)
Housed in a state-of-the-art facility, the Native American Studies Center includes galleries and the world’s largest collection of Catawba Indian pottery, archives, oral histories, and community programs highlighting the art and archaeology of Indigenous people.
Oconee Station State Historic Site
Located in the Blue Ridge foothills, this site features demonstrations and an annual Native American Day, helping visitors understand Native American daily life pre-colonization.
Edisto Beach State Park (Spanish Mount Trail and Shell Midden Site)
Walk this historic trail to explore a 3,000–4,000-year-old Native American shell midden—possibly a ceremonial site or trash heap—offering a window into coastal Indigenous communities.
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
See where South Carolina’s first permanent settlement arose and learn about the interactions between Native Americans, Europeans, Africans, and Barbadians that shaped early colonial life.
Catawba Indian Nation Reservation (Rock Hill)
The home of South Carolina’s only federally recognized tribe, the Catawba Nation, which is renowned for its pottery and continues its traditions through events and educational programs.
Pickens County Museum
This museum preserves pottery and artifacts from Cherokee and other area tribes and explores regional history and folk traditions.
South Carolina State Museum (Columbia)
Its Fourth Floor Galleries feature artifacts and interactive exhibits tracing 14,000 years of Native American history and culture in the region, plus rotating displays on tribal stories.
These destinations offer immersive and insightful experiences for learning about the diverse Native American heritage of South Carolina, from ancient shell rings and pottery to vibrant community traditions today.
SOURCES
(https://visitoconeesc.com/museum-cherokee-sc/)
(https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/cherokee-museum-of-south-carolina)
(https://cherokeemuseumsc.org)(https://sc.edu/about/system_and_campuses/lancaster/study/student_opportunities/native_american_studies_center/)
(https://southcarolinaparks.com/education-and-history/people-of-south-carolina/native-american)
