Have you visited the Upcountry History Museum? This Upstate gem offers guests a unique opportunity to learn about the history of Greenville and South Carolina, plus regular book clubs, tot programs, and traveling exhibits of all kinds. There’s often a traveling exhibit perfect for the younger crowd to explore, making this a stop where the whole family can learn and enjoy. If you’ve not been to the museum, we have all the details.
Be sure to check out all the fun things to do near Greenville, SC!
See STAR WARS: Finding the Force… Awakening an Empire
Jump to What’s New at UHM? Traveling Exhibits to see more about this exciting exhibit!
Watch! Our Visit to UHM Star Wars
If your family has not already visited the Upcountry History Museum, add it to the list. With several permanent exhibits relevant to the Carolinas and additional interim exhibits to enrich, you’ll find a variety of history to absorb.
Things to Learn at the Upcountry History Museum
Open every day except Mondays, several areas focus on the South’s role in the wars, and particularly the upcountry (obviously) of South Carolina and Western North Carolina. You’ll find an interactive map detailing the settlers’ relationships with the indigenous people groups in the area and walls of historical details and photos—all a great review of your school history classes from years ago.
Other primary exhibits focus on the importance of textile manufacturing to this area. You can even try your hand at the loading and unloading a loom much like children used to be hired to do for the mills in Piedmont and Taylors. It’s a sobering reality.
The musical influence of the Carolinas warrants another room to explore, and you can settle into one of the theater rooms to watch the history of Bible-based revivals in the South—the roots of the term “Bible Belt” here in the upcountry, if you will.
All these exhibits have options for visual, tactile, and auditory learners, but may be a bit steep for younger children.
Traveling Exhibits at the Upcountry History Museum
The museum takes special care to provide a wing catered to the younger set ages 2-10, though. Throughout the year, new interactive children’s exhibits are reset in order to allow your family to visit more than once to fresh material.
Curious George
Curious George runs through October 6, 2024.
Star Wars: Finding the Force… Awakening an Empire
Star Wars fans will not want to miss this unique, once-in-a-lifetime exhibit full of original costumes, movie assets like R2D2 and BB8, and historic Star Wars toys from the 70s and 80s. You’ll learn about the hisotrical events that impacted the plot of these movies, see concept art, and learn about the creative process that brought about the beloved Star Wars world.
We got to visit on opening day with many of the Upstate’s Star Wars fans and we will think this is one you’ll definitely want to check out! It runs through November 3rd, 2024.
D-Day
This exhibit runs through January 2025.
Enter this exhibit through a mock-up of the boats that landed on the beaches D-Day. See original newspapers, letters, uniforms and more from Greenville. Read the words of men writing home to South Carolina about their experiences D-Day. My 16 year-old spent a lot of time in this exhibit reading nearly every display.
Additional Traveling Exhibits
The museum also includes traveling exhibits geared towards adults that include historical artworks and features on a variety of topics.
Find all the current and upcoming traveling exhibits on UHM’s website.
UHM’s Gift Shop
Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop on your way out of the museum. The small playhouse to explore, for the younger set, and a wide variety of seasonal and exhibit-specific toys, books, crafts, and décor. Honestly, the gift shop is a great place to visit just for upcoming birthday gifts. Who isn’t a castle-lover, really? For adults, clothing and historical books often written by local authors can be purchased to take the experience with you. Snacks for yourself and the kids are towards the back at a very reasonable price!
UHM Events
Additional information for your visit can be found on the Upcountry History Museum website, below, including links to their calendar of events. Toddler Time on Saturday, special discussion cafes, homeschool days, and youth book clubs are just a few options from which your family could benefit.
Upcountry History Hours and Address
Address:
540 Buncombe Street
Greenville SC, 29601
Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sunday: 1 pm-5 pm
Closed: Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day, Easter Sunday, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day
Open other holidays
Have you been to the Upcountry History Museum? What did you learn?
