South Carolina State Museum moves to phase two of reopening
June 30, 2020
State Museum Expands Hours and More Ahead of Holiday Weekend
The South Carolina State Museum will move into phase two of its reopening plan starting June 30, 2020. More museum interactives and gallery spaces will be available to guests, along with increased hours of operation, admission pricing updates and enhanced safety protocols for guests.
The State Museum will now be open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Starting July 7th the museum will extend Tuesday hours to 10 p.m. General admission will return to normal pricing, Adults: $8.95, Senior (Ages 62 +): $7.95, Children (ages 3-12): $6.95, Children 2 and under are free. Entry into planetarium or 4D shows and the blockbuster exhibit, The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes, will be an additional charge.
In compliance with the City of Columbia’s Emergency Ordinance, the State Museum will also now require all guests to wear a face covering or mask during their visit. The ordinance requires everyone within City limits over the age of 10 to wear face coverings or masks in public to help slow the spread of coronavirus. The museum will also continue to manage visitor capacity levels to better facilitate social distancing for staff and guests. For this reason, advance online ticket purchases are highly encouraged.
The second phase will also allow the opening of the museum’s 4D theater and observatory. Just in time for the 4th of July holiday weekend, the museum will be showing Laser Salute to America in the museum 55ft digital dome planetarium beginning, June 30 through July 11. This 30 minute patriotic laser show celebrates the spirit of America and honors its heroes. Experience a dazzling laser show set to patriotic songs by various artists including: Brooks & Dunn, John Mellencamp and James Brown. Visit scmuseum.org for showtimes.
A Voice of Her Own: South Carolina Women in Politics is also now open for guests. This exhibit celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote. This exhibit features objects, images and stories showing the ways South Carolina women engaged with the political history of our state. From tribal women leaders, to the first female Governor of the state, this exhibit shows how women worked to gain a voice of their own. The exhibit is free with museum general admission.
The museum remains committed to its mission to bring entertaining, inspiring and engaging content to our guests. For those not ready or able to visit, the museum will continue to offer virtual programs and content, like our popular telescope livestreams and our virtual summer camp series. Our guests are our number one priority and we hope to continue to provide them with safe educational and fun experiences – on site and online. For more information please visit scmuseum.org.
About the South Carolina State Museum
As the state’s largest and most comprehensive museum, the South Carolina State Museum, offers a unique, entertaining and educational experience to visitors throughout its 225,000 square foot facility located in the heart of downtown Columbia’s Congaree Vista. The State Museum is housed in one of its largest artifacts, an 1894 former textile mill listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places. In addition to beautiful meeting spaces throughout the facility, guests can explore outer space in one of the largest planetariums in the Southeast, watch an interactive 4D movie and look through a vintage telescope in a one-of-a-kind observatory. These exciting opportunities are all in addition to the four floors of South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology. Visit scmuseum.org to learn more.
