Beaufort County Library

Beaufort

The Beaufort County Library maintains several Local History resources. Chief among these is the Beaufort District Collection, a complication of various manuscript materials, photographs, and other ephemera related to the Beaufort District. Finding aids for the 18th Century and the 19th Century items in the Beaufort District Collection are available. Items held by the Beaufort County Library may be searched with its SCLENDS Catalog. Some of the Library’s earlier material has been digitized and can be viewed through the Lowcountry Digital Library.

Charleston County Public Library

Charleston

The Charleston County Public Library has been serving the Charleston community since 1931. Its South Carolina Room maintains various records that date back to the 18th century and cover much of Charleston’s diverse history, including the Charleston Archive. These materials consist of public records for the City of Charleston, including vital statistics, documents from numerous city agencies and commissions, and private papers of Charleston residents. Finding Aids are available. The South Carolina Room also offers several Genealogy Resources related to Charleston, such as Life & Death Records, War Records, and City & Land Records. Items held by the Library may be searched with its Classic Catalog.

Charleston Library Society

Charleston

Established in 1748, the Charleston Library Society is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the United States. Its Special Collections date back to the 15th century and include some 14,500 rare books, 5,000 rare pamphlets, 400 manuscript collections, and nearly 500 maps. Among these items are the correspondence of prominent early Americans, printed material related to Southern agriculture in the 19th century, and an extensive selection of colonial newspapers. Items held by the Society may be searched with its Online Catalog. Much of the Society’s material has been digitized and can be viewed through its Digital Collections and the Lowcountry Digital Library.

The Charleston Museum

Charleston

The Charleston Museum is one of (if not the) oldest museums in the United States. Its Collections focus on the material culture of South Carolina and include the Fine Art Collection, the Herbarium Collection, the Photograph Collection, the Pottery Collection, the Slave Badge Collection, the Weaponry Collection, and many others. Items from these collections are featured in the Museum’s various Exhibits, such as Becoming Americans: Charleston in the Revolution, Charleston Silver, City Under Siege: Charleston in the Civil War, and the Lowcountry History Hall. Besides these material objects, the Museum also has several manuscript collections. A standout among these is the Charleston Museum Collection of Revolutionary War Letters. The Museum also operates two historic houses: the Joseph Manigault House and the Heyward-Washington House. Objects held by the Museum may be searched in its Online Catalog. Many of the Museum’s items have been digitized and can be viewed through the Lowcountry Digital Library.

Diocese of Charleston Archives

Charleston

The Diocese of Charleston Archives serves as the official repository for the Diocese of Charleston. Its holdings date back to 1727 and include not only the institutional records of the Diocese but also private manuscripts of Catholics who lived throughout South Carolina. These consist of Parish Sacramental and Internment Records, Diocesan Records and Episcopal Papers, St. Patrick’s Benevolent Society Records, and much more. Several Finding Aids are available, including an Online Catalog and a Card Index. Some of the Archives’ material has been digitized and can be viewed through its Online Exhibits and the Lowcountry Digital Library.

Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library

Columbia

Part of the University of South Carolina Libraries, the Ernest F. Hollings Special Collections Library is home to the University’s Irvin Department of Rare Books & Special Collections. Although much of the University’s earlier materials are held at the South Caroliniana Library, the Irvin Department does maintains several important early American sources. These Collections include books from Charles Pinckney’s library, the Hancock Family Papers, and many more. Finding Aids are available. Items held by the Irvin Department may be searched with the Hollings Library’s Online Catalog. Much of the Irvin Department’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed through the University of South Carolina Libraries’ Digital Collections.

The Gibbes Museum of Art

Charleston

The Gibbes Museum of Art was established in 1858, making it one of the oldest arts organizations in the United States. Its holdings very much document the material culture of early South Carolina. The Gibbes Museum has many Exhibits, including its 18th and 19th Century American Paintings and Sculpture, and Decorative Arts. Occupying the Exhibit are Civil War landscapes, colonial and early national portraits, and neoclassical sculpture. Early South Carolina is also represented in the Gibbes Museum’s Collections, especially the Miniature Portrait Collection. Items held by the Gibbes Museum may be searched with its Online Collections Database.

Ida Jane Dacus Library

Rock Hill

The Ida Jane Dacus Library serves as the main library for Winthrop University. Its Louise Pettus Archives & Special Collections houses many historical materials related to early South Carolina, particularly the Catawba Region. A large selection of Rare Books includes many 18th and 19th century prints. There is also a quite robust Manuscript Collection, featuring nearly 1,800 individual collections. These items consist of scrapbooks, letters, diaries, wills, land grants, indentures, military records, and more. Another resource at the Dacus Library is its Genealogy Collection. Items held by the Dacus Library may be searched with its Online Catalog. Much of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed through the Digital Commons @ Winthrop University.

James B. Duke Library

Greenville

The James B. Duke Library serves as the main library for Furman University. Its Special Collections and Archives maintains various early American sources. A standout among these holdings is the South Carolina Baptist Historical Collection. This collection contains the records of over 500 South Carolina Baptist churches, including correspondence, congregational records, association minutes, newsletters, hymnals, sermons, and other ephemera, much of which dates back to the 18th century. Other Manuscripts focus on the history of upstate South Carolina and Greenville. There is a also a solid collection of Rare Books, with strengths in early American literature and periodicals. Finding Aids and Collection Guides are available. Items held by the Duke Library may be searched with its Online Catalog. Much of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed with its Digital Collections.

Kimbel Library

Conway

Kimbel Library serves as the main library for Coastal Carolina University. Its Horry County Archives Center focuses on the history of not just Horry County, but of all northeastern South Carolina and the Waccamaw River region. The Archives Center houses various 18th and 19th century sources, including manuscript collections and over 266 rolls of microfilmed land documents. Items held by the Archives Center may be searched in the Kimbel Library’s Online Catalog. Some of the Archives Center’s material has been digitized and is available to view through the Lowcountry Digital Library.

Marlene & Nathan Addlestone Library

Charleston

The Marlene & Nathan Addlestone Library serves as the main library for the College of Charleston. Its Special Collections maintains significant materials related to not just South Carolina, but the broader Atlantic World. Among these holdings are some 50,00 Rare Books and Pamphlets, a large selection of Visual Materials, and the Jewish Heritage Collection. There are also 600 manuscript collections with strengths in social history, economic history, environmental history, and political history. Some highlights from these collections include the Grimke Family Papers, the Drayton Papers, the Barnwell Family Papers, and the Fellowship Society Records. There are several Subject Guides available. Items held by the Special Collections may be searched with the Addlestone Library’s Discovery Catalog. Much of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed through its Digital Exhibits and the Lowcountry Digital Library. Other resources at the Addlestone Library include the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, and the Program in the Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World. The Addlestone Library also houses the Archives of the South Carolina Historical Society.

R. M. Cooper Library

Clemson

The R. M. Cooper Library serves as the main library for Clemson University. Its Special Collections and Archives holds numerous sources related to early South Carolina. A large selection of Manuscript Collections date back to the 18th century, but are particularly strong for the 19th century. Standing out are the John Caldwell Calhoun Papers. There are dozens of Finding Aids available, as well as a Subject Guide. Items held by the Special Collections may be searched in the Cooper Library’s Online Catalog. Much of the Special Collections material has been digitized and can be viewed through the Clemson University Libraries Digital Collections.

South Carolina Department of Archives and History

Columbia

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History preserves and promotes the history of South Carolina. Over 325 years of documents and records are stored at the Department, representing one of the most comprehensive state archival collections in the United States. Official documents of the state are kept at the Department, as well as county court records. Researchers may wish to start with the Department’s Summary Guide to Holdings. Individual collections can be searched using the Department’s online catalog, SCArchCat. Another search function is the Department’s Record and Image Search. Various records held by the Department are electronic and can be found via the South Carolina Electronic Records Archive (SCERA). Lists of State Records and British and Private Records held in SCERA are available. Those interested in historical spaces may find the Department’s South Carolina Historic Properties Record (SCHPR) helpful. Some of the Department’s collections, including early American sources, have been digitized and are available through its Digital Collections.

South Carolina Historical Society

Charleston

Since 1855, the South Carolina Historical Society has been collecting, preserving, and exhibiting documents and material objects related to the early history of South Carolina. Its Museum pairs the Society’s manuscripts, maps, and material objects to create various Exhibits that display South Carolina’s culture and heritage. The Society’s Archives are located at the College of Charleston’s Marlene & Nathan Addlestone Library. These archival materials touch on a variety of subjects, including African American history and culture, Atlantic commerce, European colonization, Native American history, women’s history, and the histories of medicine and science. There are several research tools available, such as Finding Aids, Genealogy Charts, Research Guides, and Vertical Files. Items held by the Society may be searched with its Online Catalog. Some of the Society’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed through the Lowcountry Digital Library.

South Caroliniana Library

Columbia

Part of the University of South Carolina Libraries, the South Caroliniana Library boasts one of the largest collections of Southern manuscripts in the United States. These materials date back to the 17th century and include diaries, letters, and other papers of families and individuals, broadsides, account books, church records, and much more. There are also many published materials, such as books, maps, pamphlets, periodicals, South Carolina newspapers, and sheet music. Visual materials like architectural records, fine art, and photographs are also available. Items held by the South Caroliniana Library may be browsed and search through its Finding Aids and the University Libraries’ Online Catalog. Much of the South Caroliniana Library’s materials have been digitized and can be viewed through the University Libraries’ Digital Collections. Several Research Opportunities are available, including fellowships.

The Waring Historical Library

Charleston

The Waring Historical Library houses the rare books and manuscripts of the Medical University of South Carolina. Its Collections include some 14,000 volumes of early medical publications, much of which were printed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of these books come from the original library of the Medical Society of South Carolina, formed in 1791. The Waring also maintains hundreds of material artifacts related to medical practice. Also at the Waring are over 700 linear feet of manuscripts. These consist of personal papers of South Carolina medical professionals, records of South Carolina’s medical organizations, early prescription books, physicians’ daybooks, and the records of the Medical Society of South Carolina. Finding Aids for these archival collections are available. Items held by the Waring may be searched in the Medical University of South Carolina Libraries’ Online Catalog. Much of the Waring’s material has been digtiized and can be viewed through its digital archive, MEDICA.

Other Source Carolina Archives & Sources

SCIWAY maintains a list of historical and genealogical societies local to South Carolina. Two very useful resources for early South Carolina sources are the Lowcountry Digital Library and the South Carolina Digital Library. Both are collaborative projects between various archives and research libraries to digitize their holdings related to South Carolina.

Several regional repositories hold sources related to early South Carolina, including the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, the Georgia Historical Society, the Louis Round Wilson Library Special Collections, and the State Archives of North Carolina. Sources on early South Carolina can also be found at the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration.

As an English colony, early sources for South Carolina can be found at in the United Kingdom at the British Library, the British Museum, and the National Archives at Kew.