Celebrate Native American History at the State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum will celebrate Native American culture during its annual History Day, April 2, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music, hands-on activities and watch master craftspeople demonstrate their traditional Native American material live. Experts will also discuss important archeological sites in South Carolina, Native American traditions and foodways.

The fourth year of History Day at the State Museum will feature live performances by the Edisto River Drummers of the Edisto Natchez Kusso tribe. Catawba artists and storytellers Keith “Little Bear” Brown and Fay Greiner will show guests how they created some of their masterpieces with demonstrations of Catawba pottery and baskets. Cynthia George will be demonstrating Catawba beadwork. All these artists will have their works for sale.

Native American foodways and traditions will also be discussed by Dr. Will Goins of the Cherokee Nation in a special presentation paid for by the South Carolina Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. Author Thomas Blumer will be on hand to sign copies of his books, Catawba Nation – Treasures in History and Images of America: The Catawba Indian Nation of the Carolinas, available for purchase in the Cotton Mill Exchange. 

Dr. Albert Goodyear from the South Carolina Institute of Anthropology and Archeology will discuss his work on the Toppersite, one of country’s purest sites for research on Clovis, a prehistoric, paleo-indian culture. Dr. Goodyear began excavating Clovis artifacts in 1984 at the Toppersite in Allendale, S.C. A special showing of SCETV’s Carolina Stories: Finding Clovis will be featured in the museum’s fourth floor theater throughout the day.

Guess of all ages can immerse themselves in the Native American culture with hands on activities from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m., provided by the South Carolina Archeological Public Outreach Division. USC Lancaster Native American Studies Center will also be available with information on their center and Native American culture in South Carolina. The entire museum will be open during History Day. General admission to the State Museum is $8.95 adults, $7.95 seniors and $6.95 children. Visit scmuseum.org for more information or to purchase tickets. History Day activities are included with general admission or membership.