Museums
Many educational attractions across the OED pay homage to the area’s rich history, culture and special traditions.
Olde English District Local Attractions
In the heart of Camden, the Camden Archives and Museum houses an impressive collection of archival materials and objects relating to Camden and Kershaw County’s history. The museum’s exhibit gallery presents a vibrant picture of the area’s storied past, showcasing a variety of exhibits ranging from Native American history to the Civil War, enticing any history buff.
Nearby is the Springdale Race Course—where the Carolina Cup Races are held—and the National Steeplechase Museum. Each year the Carolina Cup brings in tens of thousands of fans for the excitement of steeplechase horse racing, while the National Steeplechase Museum remains the only museum in the country to exclusively showcase the sport.
Located within the 1914 Chester County jail, the Chester County Historical Society Museum & Archives covers all the bases with historical exhibits and artifacts. Here, you’ll find multiple photography collections, Catawba pottery, an expansive gun collection, one of the largest Native American Projective Point collections, and more.
For Transportation Buffs
Just around the corner, the Chester Transportation Museum displays several vintage automobiles and carriages. Showcasing a comprehensive history of transportation methods used in the region, the museum offers a peek into the evolution of travel.
The South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro offers one of the area’s most interesting history tours. Take a train ride in your choice of historic passenger cars for an unforgettable experience.
Family-Favorite Museums
The Museum of York County is one you do not want to miss. From the wondrous planetarium to the educational gardens, nature trail and dinosaur exhibit, there are endless possibilities for hands-on fun.
The Native American Studies Center in Lancaster offers much more than the world’s largest collection of Catawba Indian pottery. The Center is one of the most important historical museums in South Carolina, serving as a true celebration of the state’s original inhabitants, as well as an important resource for local students and the greater community.
Conveniently located downtown, the Union County Museum helps bring the past to life for visitors, offering the largest source of genealogical material in the county and the popular “The Flight of Jefferson Davis” living history and reenactment event each year.