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.
Right now (fall 2026), the Upcountry History Museum in downtown Greenville has three special exhibits on the floor: Franklin, a Peanuts exhibit about Charles Schulz’s first Black character (through November 1, 2026); Picturing America’s Pastime, a baseball photography exhibit from the National Baseball Hall of Fame (through January 24, 2027); and Upcountry Road to Freedom, a Revolutionary War exhibit running all the way through October 24, 2027. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is $10 for kids ages 3-18 and $14 for adults.
Upcountry History Museum: Quick Facts
- Where: 540 Buncombe Street, Greenville, SC 29601
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm; Sunday 1 pm-5 pm; closed Mondays
- Admission: $14 adults; $13 seniors 65+ and college students with valid ID; $10 children ages 3-18; free for ages 2 and under
- Best for ages: The children’s wing is geared to the younger set, and the permanent galleries suit elementary age and up
- What’s here: Permanent galleries on textile mills, Upstate music, the Civil War, and relationships with indigenous people groups, plus rotating traveling exhibits, a gift shop, and family programs
- Deals worth knowing: $5 admission through Museums for All with a SNAP/EBT card; one free admission per Bank of America or Merrill cardholder on the first full weekend of each month; free family passes through the Greenville, Pickens, and Anderson County library systems
- Contact: 864.467.3100 | upcountryhistory.org
Be sure to check out all the fun things to do near Greenville, SC!
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 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.
Current Exhibits (Fall 2026)
Here’s what’s on the floor right now, straight from the museum’s exhibit calendar:
- Franklin (June 13 – November 1, 2026) – An exhibit built around Franklin, the first Black character in Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip. A good fit if you have Snoopy fans at home.
- Picturing America’s Pastime (July 5, 2026 – January 24, 2027) – Baseball photography drawn from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum collection.
- Upcountry Road to Freedom: Upstate South Carolina During the American Revolution (April 25, 2026 – October 24, 2027) – The Southern Campaign of 1778-1781 and the role the Upstate played in it. This one sticks around a while, so there’s no rush.
Coming Up Next
If you’re planning ahead, the museum has announced these:
- Max and Trude Heller: A Story of Courage, Community, and Coming Home – opening Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! – November 14, 2026 – February 7, 2027
- The Ingenious World of Dr. Seuss – February 6 – May 30, 2027
- Carolina Blue Ridge Wildflowers and Landscapes – Through the Lens of Bill Robertson – February 20 – June 13, 2027
- Shaun the Sheep™: Flock This Way! – May 22 – September 19, 2027
- I SPY! Walter Wick’s Hidden Wonders – June 12, 2027 – January 24, 2028
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
Monday: Closed
Closed: Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day, Easter Sunday, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day
Open other holidays
Phone:
864.467.3100
Upcountry History Museum Admission
- Adults: $14
- Seniors (65+) and college students with valid ID: $13
- Children ages 3-18: $10
- Children 2 and under: free
A few ways to bring that down, all listed on the museum’s Hours & Admission page: families with a SNAP/EBT card pay $5 through Museums for All; Bank of America and Merrill cardholders get one free general admission on the first full weekend of every month through Museums on Us; and the Greenville, Pickens, and Anderson County library systems offer a Museum Family Pass good for two adults and up to four children (bring your library receipt). Groups of 10 or more get $1 off per person with advance registration.
Upcountry History Museum FAQs
How much does the Upcountry History Museum cost?
Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and up and college students with a valid ID, and $10 for children ages 3-18. Kids 2 and under are free. Discounted options include $5 admission through Museums for All with a SNAP/EBT card and free family passes through the Greenville, Pickens, and Anderson County libraries.
What are the Upcountry History Museum’s hours?
Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. The museum is closed Mondays, plus Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and the 4th of July.
What exhibits are at the Upcountry History Museum right now?
As of fall 2026: Franklin, a Peanuts exhibit, through November 1, 2026; Picturing America’s Pastime, a baseball photography exhibit, through January 24, 2027; and Upcountry Road to Freedom, on the American Revolution in the Upstate, through October 24, 2027. Those run alongside the permanent galleries on textile manufacturing, Upstate music, the Civil War, and relationships with indigenous people groups.
Is the Upcountry History Museum good for young kids?
Yes, though it depends on the age. The museum keeps a wing geared to the younger set with hands-on children’s exhibits that rotate through the year. The permanent galleries are text-heavy and land better with elementary age and up. The museum also runs Saturday Toddler Time for ages 2-5, a Kids Book Club, and homeschool days.
Where is the Upcountry History Museum?
540 Buncombe Street, Greenville, SC 29601, just north of downtown. You can reach the museum at 864.467.3100.
Have you been to the Upcountry History Museum? What did you learn?
