South Carolina has a rich history and culture that spans centuries. Learn more about how South Carolinians have influenced the arts, handiwork, literature, history, and more through these publications from the South Carolina State Documents Collection.
State Documents for South Carolina Cultural History Month
State Documents
Art in South Carolina 1670-1970
This book, produced in 1970, highlights the history and evolution of art in the Palmetto State over three centuries, including maps, portraits, and other artwork from the Revolutionary Period.
Black History and Literature: A Partial Bibliography of Materials in the James A. Rogers Library
This is a partial bibliography of books, papers, letters, and other materials related to Black history and literature from South Carolina and across the country from the James A. Rogers Library at Francis Marion College in 1973.
The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor: Plantations to Mill Villages
The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, stretching from the port city of Charleston to the Blue Ridge Mountains, contains historic, cultural, and natural resources that tell the vibrant story of the Palmetto State. From Table Rock Mountain to the docks of McClellanville, the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor is a setting where southern history and lifestyle are alive and accessible, in all its rich variety of cultures.
Telling the Story, 1801-2001: A University Collects, Preserves, and Interprets: McKissick Museum’s Art and History Collections
The collections at McKissick Museum originated over 200 years ago. Since the founding of the University of South Carolina, there has been a focus on collecting items of cultural and historic significance to South Carolina and the American South. This book provides a brief overview of the history of the McKissick Museum and the numerous items in its art and history collections.
Folk Song in South Carolina
This publication explores the diverse and rich history and importance of folk music in South Carolina, including ballads, religious and secular songs.
Seals and Symbols of South Carolina Government Through Three Centuries
Seals and Symbols of South Carolina Government Through Three Centuries, an exhibition at the Columbia Museums of Art and Science from 1982-1983, explored South Carolina’s history through the official state seals and symbols still familiar to us today.
South Carolina Art: Selections from the South Carolina State Museum Collection
Since its establishment in 1973, the South Carolina State Museum has focused on building collections related to South Carolina. From drawings to sculptures, this catalog highlights the talents of South Carolinian artists and the inspiration invoked by the state’s people and places.
South Carolina in 1791, George Washington’s Southern Tour
In 1791, George Washington visited South Carolina along with the other new states in the South. Washington traveled through the Lowcountry and Midlands of South Carolina, documenting his thoughts and experiences in the Palmetto State along the way. Learn about what George Washington saw on his travels to South Carolina in this publication from the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
South Carolina Architecture, 1670-1970
This book traces three centuries of architectural history across South Carolina. Each building highlighted includes a photograph, a brief history of the construction and purpose of the building, and its importance to the history of the Palmetto State.
Needlework: Women's Unspoken Art Form, May 15-August 31, 2023
More than a required skill for girls and women in the 19th century, hand sewing was an act of creative expression. From functional household textiles, to clothing, to home décor accents, small embellishments made a big statement as an indicator of women’s artistry and imagination. This exhibition, which was shown at McKissick Museum in 2023 from May through August, asked viewers to closely examine the quality of the needlework, rather than the type of textile, on display.
Upcoming Event
Revolutionary Ghosts with Author and Storyteller, Tally Johnson
October 29, 2026, 6:00 PM
Please join us for our next Speaker at the Center talk with award-winning storyteller, author, and folklorist Tally Johnson, who will tell ghost stories from the Revolutionary War period, covering South Carolina from the mountains to the sea. You will learn some of the hidden history of the Revolution via the rich ghostlore of South Carolina, where the Revolution was won.