Things to Do and See at Upcountry History Museum

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.

This article includes:
Things to Do at Upcountry History Museum
What’s New at UHM? Traveling Exhibits
UHM Gift Shop
UHM Events

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, 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.

The recent children’s exhibit on Dinosaurs has concluded. Look for a Very Hungry Caterpillar exhibit coming in May 2023!

Additional Traveling Exhibits

The museum also includes traveling exhibits geared towards adults that include historical artworks and features on a variety of topics.

Coming up in the spring of 2023:
Through The Years: Kenny Rogers Photographs of America
The Global Language of Headwear: Cultural Identity, Rites of Passage, and Spirituality

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, 4^th of July, Thanksgiving Day
Open other holidays

Have you been to the Upcountry History Museum? What did you learn?