The Charleston Museum holds the largest collection of Oligocene cetaceans, or whales, in the world. The Oligocene epoch is a geologic time period spanning from roughly 23 million years ago (mya) to 34 mya, and it represents a very important time period for cetacean evolution. Many species of Oligocene cetaceans…
Read MorePAST EXHIBIT As we were preparing the garments that will be shown in our upcoming textile exhibition, Fashion Flashback, 1920s-1960s: Five Decades of Style that Changed America, one dress seemed to stand out as a marvelous selection for a December holiday party. Made of changeable taffeta, the dress would shimmer…
Read MoreThe Garden Club of Charleston, once again, brought holiday spirit into the Joseph Manigault House, adorning its rooms, hallways, and stairways with greenery, feathers, ribbons, and more! These spectacular arrangements represent this year’s chosen theme, A 19th Century Christmas Reverie, by decorating as Charleston families would have done in years…
Read MorePAST EXHIBIT Gadsden Flag, 1775 So-called for its designer, Charleston’s own Christopher Gadsden (1724-1805), presented this pattern in 1775 first to Commodore Esek Hopkins, commander of the brand new United States Navy established by General George Washington. Later, Gadsden presented a second flag of the same design to South Carolina’s…
Read MorePAST EXHIBIT In December 1856, President Franklin Pierce decorated the White House tree with candles. It was a risky move to be sure. After all, most festive folks who enjoyed illuminating their Christmas trees by this time were well aware of the dangers of having multiple open flames intermingling with…
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