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Special Collections: Local Archives and Repositories

Guidelines for access, resource descriptions, and subject guides at the College of Charleston Special Collections

Other Archives and Repositories

Local Archives and Repositories

Charleston Archive at the Charleston County Public Library - an archive of historic manuscripts, books and visual materials representing Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry.

Charleston Library Society - a cultural institution for life-long learning, serving its members, the Lowcountry community and scholars through access to its rich collection of books, manuscripts and archival material and programs.

Margaretta Childs Archives, Historic Charleston Foundation - a collection of property files, photographs, architectural drawings, books, pamphlets, technical reports, and videos pertaining to architecture, historic preservation, Charleston and South Carolina history, archaeology, building arts, decorative arts, and gardens.

South Carolina Historical Society - the state's largest private repository of manuscripts and heritage resources. Housed in the Addlestone Library at the College of Charleston.

South Carolina Room at the Charleston County Public Library - houses local history and genealogy materials and resources. The mission is to collect, preserve and make accessible those materials focusing on the history and genealogy of South Carolina, with special emphasis on Charleston and the Lowcountry.

Waring Historical Library, the Medical University of South Carolina is the special collections and rare book library for the Medical University of South Carolina. Named for Joseph I. Waring, Jr., the first director of the Historical Library, the library houses books, journals, manuscript items and museum artifacts dealing with the history of the health sciences.

South Carolina Archives

South Carolina Department of Archives and History 

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History is an independent state agency whose mission is to preserve and promote the documentary and cultural heritage of the Palmetto State. The department houses one of the most comprehensive state archival collections in the nation, spanning more than 325 years of South Carolina history.  

South Carolina Digital Library 

The South Carolina Digital Library provides free access to historic materials, such as photographs, manuscripts, journals, books, oral histories, objects, etc. illustrating the history and culture of South Carolina from over 40 cultural heritage institutions across the state. Over 200,000 items have been added so far.

South Carolina State Documents Depository 

The South Carolina State Documents Depository provides access to publications produced by state agencies and state-supported academic institutions. These publications provide citizens with crucial information about state government, including statistics, annual accountability reports, and data on a wide variety of topics related to the state. 

Southern Revolutionary War Institute 

Utilizing the CHM’s library, archives, and historical collections, the Institute fills a void in Revolutionary War studies and scholarly resources, which traditionally have concentrated on the Northern campaigns of the American Revolution. The institute is the only center exclusively dedicated to the study of the Revolution in the Southern states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee.

City and County Archives

Historical Center of York County 

The Historical Center of York County was opened in 1989 to serve as the County's archival repository, and to collect, preserve, interpret, and maintain information of historical importance.

Camden Archives and Museum 

Collections primarily consist of material pertaining to the north-central section of South Carolina formerly recognized as the old Camden District. 

Georgetown County Digital Library 

The Georgetown County Digital Library provides the opportunity to explore the unique and diverse history of the people and places that shaped Georgetown County. Explore the past through rare photographs, newspapers, real estate indentures, journals and letters.The GCDL provides free access to researchers, educators, students and all who are interested in learning more about Georgetown County history and culture.

Greenville County Historical Records 

The Historical Records search involved close collaboration between Greenville County Government and the Greenville County Library System. The Digital Collection is a gateway to historical records consisting of Deeds, Probate Estate Papers, and District Court Records. It is our goal to provide a high-resolution digital resource center of historical images that will serve the needs of genealogists, school teachers, students, scholars, and the general public.

Orangeburg County Historical Society 

The Orangeburg County Historical Society exists to encourage the study and research of the history of Orangeburg County, to acquire and preserve historical documents and artifacts, to commemorate events and places of significance, to inform and educate the public and make history accessible. 

Spartanburg County Public Libraries

The Kennedy Room of Local and South Carolina History and Cleveland Genealogy Department houses an extensive collection of source material for genealogy and history researchers.The materials’ focus is on Spartanburg County but also includes South Carolina and regional information.

Tompkins Library

The library is the headquarters of the Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society and the South Carolina Genealogical Society.

 

 

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