Our mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible materials focusing on the history and genealogy of South Carolina, with special emphasis on Charleston and the Lowcountry.
Our Location
The South Carolina room is located on the 2nd floor of the Main Library at 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston SC.
The Collection
Our collection includes books, microforms, maps, clipping files, and research databases spanning over 300 years of South Carolina history. Our resources can help you:
- Conduct historic property research
- Locate vital records for your ancestors
- Research SC military service records from the American Revolution and the Civil War
- Begin a genealogy project
- Research your book on local history
The South Carolina Room also serves as a reading room for The Charleston Archive, which focuses on the public history of the Charleston area by collecting and preserving materials regarding its political, economic, cultural, and topographical history.
Special Events
Special events coordinated by South Carolina Room staff have included author talks, genealogy how-tos, digitization seminars, and workshops on how to care for family papers and photographs.
Also, don’t miss the Charleston Time Machine local history lecture series offered by CCPL’s historian, Dr. Nic Butler. Events are usually held at the Main Library and other library branches. You can also hear Dr. Butler talk about local history on his weekly radio show broadcast on WYLA 97.5 FM, which is available as a podcast or via WYLA’s YouTube livestream.
We’re Here to Help!
South Carolina Room staff are here to help you with your questions as you use the resources we have on hand. If you are planning a research trip to the South Carolina Room from out of town, please feel free to contact us in advance of your visit so that we can help guide your research planning.
South Carolina Room at CCPL 