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The Charleston Museum

The Charleston Museum is a history museum in Charleston, Charleston County, in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Adult admission is $15. Hours: Museum: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday 12:00 pm-5:00 pm; Heyward-Washington House (audio tours): Mon-Sat 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sun 12:00-5:00 pm, last tour 4:15 pm; Joseph Manigault House (guided tour): Mon-Sat 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sun 12:00-5:00 pm, last tour 4:30 pm. Facts read from the official site on October 25, 2026.

  • Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Mon–Sat)official hours below
  • Admission$15 adults
  • WhereCharlestonCharleston County, Lowcountry
  • DogsNot allowed
Good to know (read October 25, 2026): No food or drink in galleries; no tripods.

About The Charleston Museum

The Charleston Museum, founded in 1773, calls itself America's first museum and covers the history and natural history of the Lowcountry. It also operates two historic houses, the Heyward-Washington House and the Joseph Manigault House.

  • Founded in 1773
  • Galleries include The Armory, City Under Siege, Natural History, Charleston Silver and Historic Textiles
  • Heyward-Washington House and Joseph Manigault House
  • Combination tickets for two or three sites

Plan It In Three Lines

  1. Getting In

    Admission: $15 adults.

    9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Mon–Sat)

  2. Bring The Dog?

    Service dogs permitted throughout the museum and historic houses; therapy dogs and animal companions are not

    Full rule below

  3. Make It A Day

    International African American Museum is about 1 miles away (straight line).

    6 places within 30 miles

The Charleston Museum Hours

Hours At A Glance

Hours in a day

  • MuseumMon–Sat9 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • OpenSun12 p.m.–5 p.m.
  • OpenMon–Sat10 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • OpenMon–Sat10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Days of the week today is outlined

MonTueWedThuFriSatSunMuseumopenopenopenopenopenopenclosed12 p.m.–5 p.m.closedclosedclosedclosedclosedclosedopen10 a.m.–5 p.m.openopenopenopenopenopenclosed10 a.m.–5 p.m.openopenopenopenopenopenclosed
  • Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day

Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.

  • Museum: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
  • Heyward-Washington House (audio tours): Mon-Sat 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sun 12:00-5:00 pm, last tour 4:15 pm
  • Joseph Manigault House (guided tour): Mon-Sat 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sun 12:00-5:00 pm, last tour 4:30 pm
  • Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day; Christmas Eve closes at 1:30pm

Hours source: official site, read October 25, 2026.

Admission And Parking

Admission, Side By Side
  • Adult (18+): Museum$15.00
  • Youth (13-17): Museum$12.00
  • Child (3-12): Museum$6.00
  • Children 2 and underFree

The first price on each official line (where online and gate prices differ, the line below says which). Read October 25, 2026.

  • Adult (18+): Museum $15.00; Historic House $15.00; Two Sites $22.00; Three Sites $30.00
  • Youth (13-17): Museum $12.00; Historic House $12.00
  • Child (3-12): Museum $6.00; Historic House $6.00
  • Children 2 and under FREE

Directions And Contact

Dogs And Accessibility

  • Dogs: Service dogs permitted throughout the museum and historic houses; therapy dogs and animal companions are not permitted.
  • Accessibility: Museum accessible for limited mobility; free manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs permitted; historic houses require stairs (photo tours available); closed-captioned videos.

Near The Charleston Museum

Around The Charleston Museum within 30 miles
10 mi20 mi30 miNSEW123456
  1. 1International African American MuseumHistory Museumunder 1 mi
  2. 2South Carolina AquariumAquariumunder 1 mi
  3. 3Gibbes Museum of ArtArt Museumunder 1 mi
  4. 4Patriots Point Naval and Maritime MuseumMaritime Museumabout 2 mi
  5. 5West Ashley GreenwayRail Trailabout 2 mi
  6. 6Charles Towne Landing State Historic SiteState Historic Siteabout 3 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Coming Up Near The Charleston Museum

62 more on the full events calendar.

Events within 40 miles, measured in a straight line to the centre of the event's town. Dates come from our checked events list; confirm with the organizer.

FAQ

How much does The Charleston Museum cost?

$15 adults. Adult (18+): Museum $15.00; Historic House $15.00; Two Sites $22.00; Three Sites $30.00; Youth (13-17): Museum $12.00; Historic House $12.00; Child (3-12): Museum $6.00; Historic House $6.00

What are the hours at The Charleston Museum?

Museum: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Sunday 12:00 pm-5:00 pm; Heyward-Washington House (audio tours): Mon-Sat 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Sun 12:00-5:00 pm, last tour 4:15 pm.

Can I bring a dog to The Charleston Museum?

Service dogs permitted throughout the museum and historic houses; therapy dogs and animal companions are not permitted.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Parking not published on pages read
  • Historic house addresses not recorded
  • Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.

Sources

  1. The Charleston Museum: hours (read 2026-10-25)
  2. The Charleston Museum: official site (read 2026-10-25)
  3. OpenStreetMap (map point)

Last checked October 25, 2026 by the It’s South Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's South Carolina, “The Charleston Museum”, itssouthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-south-carolina/charleston-museum/ (updated ). By the It's South Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.