Georgetown County Museum
The Georgetown County Museum keeps the spirit of Georgetown County SC history alive. The Museum protects and displays over 2,000 artifacts on exhibit for the visiting public.
Muskets, marshland, and muslin, rice, rivers, and revolution. What do these seemingly unrelated subjects have in common? The Georgetown County Museum offers fascinating connections that intertwine these and many other facets of life that span almost 300 years of American history lived out in the daily lives of the citizens of Georgetown, South Carolina. This colonial town has seen it all and we keep the spirit of each era in our heritage alive with the many displays and exhibits found here in the Museum.
From the earliest maritime industry of the 1730's when we launched an international Port of Entry and built ships to ply these waters, through the growing of indigo and rice on our upland fields and lush riverbanks, through the drama and glory of the Revolutionary War, we remembered. The "Swamp Fox" walked our streets, as did British Redcoats. Union Blue troops marched about town in search of Gray.
We experienced the heights of vast wealth and affluence through the first part of the 19th Century and agonized the loss of it all during the last. Times were hard through the aftermath of the Civil War, but later, Georgetown rose to the top once more, this time in the lumber business. Prosperity reigned again, and through it all, the bits and pieces of everyday life can be seen here at the Museum. Artifacts and exhibits give a glimpse of these times of heartache and triumph, kept amazingly intact after so very long.
Georgetown has been visited by Presidents and Royalty, and figures readily recognized from throughout American history and they left their mark here. Come in for a step back in time, talk with our docents, and experience the "Old South" .
About Us
The Georgetown County Museum was officially established under the auspices of the Georgetown County Historical Society in 2005. The Museum obtained 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit status that same year and has been operating since that time in the historic Masonic Lodge (1740) facility located at 632 Prince Street in Georgetown, South Carolina. The Museum has experienced tremendous growth since opening the doors to the public. In the beginning days of the Museum's operations and continuing until the present, the Museum depends heavily upon a dedicated cadre of volunteers from the local community.
Paid staff consists of a full time Director and a part-time assistant to maintain continuity of the day-to-day activities of the Museum. Artifacts and items of historical significance and displays in the Museum are the results of either loans or outright gifts from residents of the Georgetown county community or from those outside the local area who are interested in donating, preserving and documenting the rich cultural history of Georgetown county. The operating budget is sustained essentially from membership fees and receipts from sales of items from the Museum Gift Shop and visitor fees. Special events such as the Winyah Bay Heritage Festival and donations from major contributors also play a valuable and important role in the financial support of the continuing operations of the Museum.
Explore Related Categories
