Tickets On Sale Now for Museum Mile Weekend September 25 & 26, 2010
For Immediate Release, June 2010The cultural sites along Charleston’s Museum Mile have come together for the second annual Museum Mile Weekend on September 25 and 26, 2010. A single pass allows visitors complimentary admission to thirteen sites along and around Meeting Street in historic downtown Charleston. Many of the cultural institutions will also offer special programs during Museum Mile Weekend. The Weekend Pass is only $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
Museum Mile Weekend passes are available now at www.charlestonsmuseummile.org and will be available beginning July 1 at all Charleston Visitor Center locations including the downtown location at 375 Meeting Street and in Mt. Pleasant at 99 Harry Hallman Blvd. Online purchasers will receive their passes in the mail.
Launched in 2008 as a cooperative marketing effort among non-profit organizations, Charleston’s Museum Mile features the richest concentration of cultural sites open to visitors in downtown Charleston. Along and around the one-mile section of Meeting Street, visitors can discover six museums, five nationally important historic houses, four scenic parks and a Revolutionary War powder magazine.
“The Museum Mile Weekend Pass is a unique opportunity for locals and tourists to visit the cultural attractions for just one price. If purchased separately, adult admission for the participating sites would be over $100 for adults and $50 for children,” explained John Brumgardt, Director of The Charleston Museum.
Passholders will show their passes and participating venues will be checked off at admission. Passholders who do not see everything they want to see on Saturday, can return for the rest of the attractions on Sunday. For more information, visit www.charlestonsmuseummile.org or call 843-722-2996 x235.
Several hotels along the Museum Mile will be offering Museum Mile Weekend Packages including the Mills House Hotel (www.millshouse.com) at 115 Meeting Street.
Participating Sites on Saturday and Sunday:
(special programming and any special Museum Mile Weekend hours are noted in bold)
Aiken-Rhett House – 48 Elizabeth Street
Built in 1820 and greatly expanded by Gov. and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s, this house and its outbuildings have survived as a time capsule virtually unaltered since 1858. Children are invited to enjoy a scavenger hunt throughout the weekend as they explore the house, grounds and outbuildings and learn more about the people who lived and worked on the property.
The Charleston Museum – 360 Meeting Street
America’s first museum showcases the cultural and natural history of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. On Saturday, The Charleston Museum will feature children’s crafts from 10am to 12noon.
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry – 25 Ann Street
The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry offers eight hands-on interactive learning environments for children 3 months to 10 years.
Joseph Manigault House – 350 Meeting Street
“Charleston’s Huguenot House” was built in 1803 and is a premier example of Adam-style, or Federal, architecture. On both Saturday (11:00am, 4:00pm) and Sunday (4:00pm), focus tours at the Joseph Manigault House will give a glimpse of the house’s fascinating World War II history, in addition to regular house tours.
Confederate Museum – 188 Meeting Street
Since 1898, the Daughters of the Confederacy have operated the Confederate Museum, which contains flags, uniforms, swords and other Confederate memorabilia.
Powder Magazine – 79 Cumberland Street
South Carolina’s oldest public building, The Powder Magazine (circa 1713) served as an arsenal within the old walled city of Charleston. Living history programs will be offered all weekend. A special performance of the original production The Gentleman Pirate will be offered on Saturday at 3:30pm. Call ahead for ticket information (843-722-9350) or visit www.PowderMag.org
Gibbes Museum of Art – 135 Meeting Street
Experience Charleston’s history through art! Explore stories of the Lowcountry as seen through painting, miniature portraiture, sculpture, photographs and more. Docent-led tours of the museum will be offered at 2:30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
South Carolina Historical Society -100 Meeting Street
The Historical Society preserves and publishes South Carolina's history. The Society’s multi-media exhibit, "Stormy Times Ahead: Voices of Secession," compliments the original Secession Banner (also on display) to depict the crucial events of 1860. Tours will be given at the top of the hour. Hours are 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, and 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 26.
Old Slave Mart Museum – 6 Chalmers Street
The Museum’s exhibits focus on the domestic slave trade from the perspectives of historically-documented slaveowners, slave traders and enslaved African Americans, and speak to their stories, contributions and legacies. On Saturday at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, the director will conduct connoisseur tours of the museum and share the stories of several individuals who passed through this auction complex. The museum is closed on Sundays.
The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon – 122 East Bay Street
Completed in 1771 as the New Exchange and Custom House, visitors can explore Charleston’s colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War past while retracing the steps of presidents, patriots and pirates!
Heyward-Washington House – 87 Church Street
Built in 1772, “Charleston’s Revolutionary War House” was the townhome of Thomas Heyward, Jr., Revolutionary War patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence. In addition to regular house tours, special Revolutionary War focus tours are offered both Saturday (11:00am, 4:00pm) and Sunday (4:00pm) at the Heyward-Washington House.
Nathaniel Russell House:
Visitors are invited to admire the grand Federal style townhouse of Charleston merchant Nathaniel Russell, built in 1808. On Saturday from 10:30am to 12 noon, an educational program in the garden will highlight music popular from 1808-1820, including songs of the African-American slaves who lived and worked on the property.
Edmondston-Alston House – 21 East Battery
The Edmondston-Alston House was one of the first dwellings built on Charleston’s High Battery in 1825. View a fine collection of family furnishings, books, silver and paintings.
Docent guided tours offered the entire weekend.
