The Charleston Museum curates a pop-up exhibit of historic jewelry and celebrates with local partners
September 16, 2019
The Charleston Museum announces a one-night only event, A Luxurious Charleston: An Exclusive Jewelry Reception on Thursday, September 19, 2019 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. This pop-up exhibit will display some of the most luxurious pieces of jewelry from the collection of America’s First Museum (est. 1773) alongside local jewelry vendors for a night of luxury!
Peter Purry, a traveler to Charleston in 1731, noted the local residents were wealthy possessing “…an abundance of jewelry, clothes, silver” and furniture among other riches. Besides importing jewelry as well as fashions, Charlestonians regularly patronized a number of local jewelers such as John Paul Grimke, who created a variety of fashionable jewelry from the precious gems he imported. The continued importation of colored gems along with the rich organic materials found in the Lowcountry gave rise to local jewelry makers and made life in the Holy City rather luxurious.
Precious gemstones and organic jewelry have been selected by Long and will be on display under the Museum’s right whale to highlight some of Charleston’s most luxurious and historic jewels dating back to the eighteenth century. The historic jewelry will be on display for one-night only for this exclusive, pop-up exhibit!
Alongside the Museum’s Collection, local Charleston jewelry makers who will show how far jewelry has come in the Holy City, available for guests to shop and purchase. Local jewelry vendors include Candy Shop Vintage, Croghan’s Jewel Box, Naked Eyes Jewelry and Jahde Leather Atelier. Guests will enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres in the courtyard styled by Meeting Green Garden and Snyder Lounge and music will be provided by the Paul Quattlebaum Jazz Band. Tickets are required, $45/members and $55/non-members. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at 843.722.2996 x235.
About The Charleston Museum
The Charleston Museum, founded in 1773 and considered America’s first museum, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 360 Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. The Museum is home to the most extensive collection of South Carolina-related natural and cultural history materials known, two National Historic Landmark Houses and the Dill Sanctuary, a 580-acre wildlife preserve. The Museum’s mission is to educate Charleston area residents and visitors about the natural and cultural history of the South Carolina Lowcountry through collections, exhibitions, preservation, conservation, research and related programming. Museum hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Museum admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children; Tickets, including admission to two or more sites offered at a discount, can be purchased at the Museum, its historic houses, or online in advance.
