250th Anniversary Commemoration of America’s First Museum, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Anthea M. Hartig

On Jan. 12, 1773, members of the Charleston Library Society founded America’s first museum, which would evolve to become The Charleston Museum we know today. Although established to examine the “natural history” of South Carolina, its focus soon took on a more cosmopolitan nature and its collections included objects from around the world. Although it still exhibits objects from its early collections, beginning in 1983, the museum’s devoted its mission specifically to the natural and cultural history of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Today the museum’s collections, which include over 2.4 million objects, are unmatched in their interpretive value in regard to Lowcountry South Carolina history.

America’s first museum invites the community to join in a celebration of this historic 250th anniversary on Jan. This momentous event is free and open to the public. The evening will begin in the Arthur M. Wilcox Auditorium with remarks from Carl Borick, director of The Charleston Museum, followed by a special keynote speaker, Anthea M. Hartig, director of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Immediately following, the museum will host a celebratory reception in the main lobby, which will feature a special anniversary craft beer, 1773 Anniversary Ale, proudly brewed by Holy City Brewery, along with other libations and refreshments

This event is free and open to the public with registration. Register online or call (843) 722-2996 ext. 235