COMMUNITY LINKS
Preservation and ArtsBack to top
South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation
South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation
A public non-profit organization founded in 2000 to revive interest in the state's important maritime history . hosts an annual maritime festival with varied events and engages in ongoing outreach projects.
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www.greatschools.net
Great Schools is an independent non-profit organization committed to providing parents with information and tools to choose schools, support their children's education and improve schools in their communities.
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Drayton Hall Plantation
Completed in 1742, this historic plantation house stands on a 630 acre site . one of the finest examples of Georgian-Palladian architecture in America . through seven years of Drayton family ownership, the house has remained in nearly original condition.
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Gibbes Museum
Located at 135 Meeting Street, the museum hosts changing exhibitions and houses a permanent collection of fine American art with a Charleston perspective .guided tours available every Tuesday and Saturday.
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The Charleston Museum
Founded in 1773, this is America's First Museum. its mission is to preserve and interpret the cultural and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry ...located downtown across from the Visitor Center.
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John Carroll Doyle, Artist
Self-taught Charleston artist nationally known for energetic, light-filled paintings. claims as his "teachers" the wooden boats at the yacht basin, shadows on Charleston stucco, and the coastal sunlight flooding the city . gallery located at 54 Broad Street in downtown Charleston.
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William Jameson, Artist
Divides his time between studios in Saluda, North Carolina and Mt Pleasant, South Carolina .defines his landscapes as introspective "explorations" .his techniques instill his paintings with a sense of movement, echoing the recurring them of natural cycles and change.
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Ella Walton Richards, Artist
Located at 91 Broad Street in a magnificent historic building in downtown Charleston . three floors of exhibition space feature superb original oil paintings and bronze sculpture in the tradition of American Realism . the gallery hosts six artist openings throughout the year.
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American College of the Building Arts
Dedicated to educating the next generation of artisans and to preserving the building arts... focused on reawakening the respect people once had for master builders and giving an excellent general education and the best training available in the building arts.
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Performing ArtsBack to top
Charleston Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by David Stahl, the symphony runs October through April .features master works series, pops series, chamber series, and holiday concerts .filling the Lowcountry with classical music for over 70 years.
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Charleston Ballet Theatre
Professional dance company recognized for an eclectic repertory of modern and classical works by renowned choreographers . since 1978, under the direction of Don and Patricia Cantwell . performs everything from classical to contemporary at various locations.
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Charleston Stage Company
Founded by playwright Julian Wiles in 1978, South Carolina's largest professional theater company in residence at the Historic Dock Street Theater . has presented over 150 performances to a collective audience of over one million . arts education is a cornerstone of the theater's mission . a commitment to shows that celebrate the rich culture and history of South Carolina.
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The Footlight Players
Theater group which began in 1931 presents six plays in a regular season . these productions mark the company as one of the leading community theaters in the South. located at 20 Queen Street in historic downtown Charleston.
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EventsBack to top
Spoleto Festival
A seventeen day long festival in Charleston, South Carolina offering opera, music theater, dance and special events . from the opening ceremonies on the steps of The Old Exchange to the closing finale at Middleton Plantation, the historic city is awash in song and dance and art shows.
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Piccolo Spoleto Festival
The official outreach arm of Spoleto Festival . founded by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in 1979 . the mission is to provide access to the Spoleto Festival for everyone through a dynamic series of outdoor concerts and events, from classical to contemporary, traditional to cutting edge.
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Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition
The nation's largest wildlife art and nature event . now in its 24th year, the exposition showcases original paintings, carvings, and sculpture by some of the most gifted artists in the wildlife art genre.
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Family Circle Cup
The nation's largest wildlife art and nature event . now in its 24th year, the exposition showcases original paintings, carvings, and sculpture by some of the most gifted artists in the wildlife art genre.
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Cooper River Bridge Run
An annual 10,000 meter run, sanctioned by USA Track and Field held in the cities of Mount Pleasant and Charleston on the first Saturday in April . one of the world's largest races, with the 2006 event drawing 50,000 runners and 17,000 walkers.
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Charleston to Bermuda
Founded ten years ago, the event challenges sailors to navigate 777 nautical miles between Charleston and Bermuda at a time of year known for tricky, unpredictable weather . known as the C2B, the event includes lively parties with great food, music, and libations.
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Recreation and LeisureBack to top
Palmetto Islands County Park
A 943 acre park with a variety of recreational opportunities available, including crabbing and fishing from floating docks along tidal creeks and lagoons; biking, lagoon boating, and picnicking . Splash Island water park open seasonally.
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Wannamaker County Park
A new 1,015 acre park with two playgrounds, 20 foot play hill, picnic site, open meadow, paved trails, pedal boats rental, and snack bar . located on Hwy 78 in North Charleston.
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The Audubon Swamp Garden
Located at Magnolia Plantation, this 60-acre black water cypress and tupelo swamp with wildflowers, bog plants, and native shrubs, is accessible via boardwalks, bridges, and dikes with views of waterfowl, alligators and other wildlife . located on Hwy 61 in Charleston.
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The Schooner Pride
Cruise aboard an 84-foot tall ship around Charleston's historic harbor . guests may help in sailing or relax and enjoy the two hour tour.
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Fort Sumter
Flashpoint that started the Civil War . tour boats depart regularly . park rangers are on site . located at the City Marina at 17 Lockwood Blvd. and at Patriots Point Navel Museum in Mt. Pleasant.
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Charleston Waterfront Park
Located on 1,280 feet of waterfront property along Concord Street in Downtown Charleston . public park offers ideal setting to relax and experience the ever-changing beauty of the waterfront . a grassy public green, a magnificent pier, and numerous benches and picnic table available.
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Cypress Gardens
Here you can stroll along four miles of walking trails that wind through beautiful gardens or paddle a flat bottom boat through a real cypress swamp . relax in a unique and exciting butterfly house . explore an aquarium that offers a close look at the amphibians, reptiles, and fish native to the swamp.
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Francis Marion National Forest
A 250-thousand-acre forest located in the coastal plains north of Charleston . the forest offers a wide variety of recreation activities including picnicking and camping sites, boat ramps, fishing ponds, rifle ranges, hiking, horse and motorcycle trails.
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James Island County Park
A 643 acre park with a variety of recreational opportunities available including crabbing and fishing from floating docks along tidal creeks and lagoons, biking, and picnicking. The Splash Zone water park is open seasonally . park offers a 50-foot climbing wall.
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The South Carolina Aquarium
The new aquarium located on Charleston's harbor depicts the aquatic habitats of the state from rushing mountain streams through rivers, lakes and the salt marsh, to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, encounters with river otters, snakes, turtles, birds, fish and sharks delight guests as they explore 60 living exhibits.
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Visitor InformationBack to top
Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Provides specific information on lodging, dining, sightseeing, shopping, special events and transportation.
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Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
Provides information about area events, businesses, and activites in the greater Charleston area.
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