David Mantek Reviews some of Charleston's greatest museums.

1. Charleston’s Greatest
Museums
David Mantek

3. Charleston Museum
• Founded in 1773
• “America’s First Museum.”
• Museum mile exists along Meeting Street
• Hands-on exhibits allowing visitors to examine
cultivation tools and sweetgrass baskets that slaves
used to harvest and cull rice in the fields.
• -The museum also owns 2 historic houses, The Heyward-
Washington House And Joseph Manigault House.

5. Gibbes Museum of Art
The Gibbes Museum of Art is located in Charleston’s Historic District at 135 Meeting
Street (2 blocks south of the Market between Cumberland and Queen Streets).

6. The Karpeles Manuscript
• Holds the worlds largest collection of historic
manuscripts.
• Originally a methodist church, the structure also
served as a hospital for the Civil War.
• Sponsored by philanthropist David Karpeles.

7. American LaFrance Fire Museum
North Charleston holds the nation’s greatest collection of American LaFrance firefighting trucks, all admiringly
restored. The museum contains shiny engines and horse-drawn fire wagons providing visitors with a lesson in
America’s firefighting history.