Open 11am until 5pm, Monday through Saturday
Free Admission – Donations Appreciated
The South Carolina Maritime Museum
In 1996, the Harbor Historical Association launched a dream to create a museum that would celebrate the maritime history of South Carolina and Georgetown, the state’s second largest port. In 2011, with community support, the South Carolina Maritime Museum opened on the waterfront in historic downtown Georgetown.
Home to the prized Fresnel lens of the old North Island lighthouse, our mission is to create enjoyable experiences for both young people and adults by featuring exhibits, programs and events related to South Carolina’s rich and remarkable maritime history.
Georgetown Wooden Boat Show
The Georgetown Wooden Boat Show – always held on the third weekend in October – features one of the Southeast’s best wooden boat exhibits with more than 100 classic wooden boats displayed on land and water, boatbuilding, a corrugated boat race, children’s model boatbuilding, a youth sailing regatta, knot tying, maritime arts and crafts, and food.
The Wooden Boat Show takes place on the waterfront and along Front Street in Historic Downtown Georgetown. The Show is produced by the Harbor Historical Association, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All proceeds benefit the South Carolina Maritime Museum.
Sid Hood Memorial
John Sidney “Sid” Hood III, 73, husband of Sally Swineford Hood, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 17, 2022.
Sid was born in Gastonia, NC, on January 15, 1949, to the late Dr. John Sidney Hood, Jr. and the late Nell Sudduth Hood. Sid was a founder of the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show and The South Carolina Maritime Museum. In addition, he supported the museum’s youth sailing program. He also served on the board of the Georgetown County Airport Commission.
Sid is best known by many for the waterfront dining establishment, The River Room. As an owner of the popular downtown restaurant, Sid created a warm and inviting space for locals and tourists to enjoy dining on local seafood with family and friends. Sid loved discovering good food, wine and live music. His favorite travel destinations were New Orleans, Austin, Las Vegas and the Napa Valley.
His warm smile will be missed by so many who looked forward to pulling up a chair at the bar and having a drink and a laugh with Sid. Rest easy Sid, we wish you good wine, waterfront views, and endless laughter-filled dinners with friends.
Sid is survived by his beloved wife and best friend Sally; his sister, Betsy Cowan (Mark) of Myrtle Beach, SC; his brother, Taylor Harrison Hood (Anne) of Lexington, NC; two nephews, Harrison Hood (Morgan) and David Cowan; a niece, Anna Hood; and great niece and nephew, Parker and Kate Hood.
Memorials can be made to the South Carolina Maritime Museum Endowment Fund, PO Box 2228, Georgetown, SC 29442 or give online below.
Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit, Water/Ways
September 28-November 8, 2020
Water/Ways, an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, explores the relationship between people and water. It explores the centrality of water in our lives including its effect on the environment and climate, its practical role in agriculture and economic planning, and its impact on culture and spirituality. Water/Ways is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions.
“What Does Water Mean To You” Contest
In celebration of Water/Ways, an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, we had local school aged children participate in an art/literature contest to express what water means to them.
Students throughout Georgetown County were included through their art and literature teachers. Art entries were judged based on how well the student used art elements and design principles creatively and thoughtfully to visually communicate the theme, “What does water mean to me?” Evidence of good compositional skills and careful use of art materials was also part of the judging criteria.
Poetry and essays were judged based on how well the written word of the author expressed their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about the same theme. The contest personnel and teachers were excited how many students chose to participate considering the challenges of on-site school vs virtual teacher contact.
Participants entries are on display at the museum. Click below to take a look at our winners!
Burning Of The Socks
Upcoming Events – HISTORY FOR LUNCH AND NIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE
Monday, May 16 at 5:30 PM (FREE)
NIGHT OF KNOWLEDGE: Enslaved Watermen and Watercraft of the Lowcountry
RSVP HERE
Lynn Harris (PhD. University of South Carolina) has worked as a maritime historian and underwater archaeologist for over 40 years in South Africa, Namibia, Costa Rica, North and South Carolina. She is currently a Professor at the Program of Maritime Studies at East Carolina University, one of a handful of programs in the world that trains graduate students as underwater archaeologists.
Funding provided by Growth Grants from the SC Humanities.
Water/Ways Events
In celebration of hosting the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit, Water/Ways, we bring you several fun events and activities!
Join us as we delve into the importance of water through the past, present, and future both locally and globally. We have an exciting virtual Zoom series, History at Home (part of our History for Lunch series), with expert presenters, a boat Model Day at the museum, and a Front Street Water/Ways trivia game.
For more information and to purchase a registration to our Zoom event(s) please click here.
VIRTUAL HISTORY FOR LUNCH – DISCOVER THE STORY OF THE SS ATLANTIC
With Bob Chaulk, historian for the SS Atlantic
Heritage Park in Terence Bay, Nova Scotia
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020
12 NOON – 1:30 PM
REGISTRATION INFO: $5 to receive Zoom link
It was the most infamous passenger ship disaster before the Titanic, and the biggest.
The Atlantic was travelling between Liverpool and New York with almost 1,000 people aboard, when the Captain decided to divert to Halifax for fuel. It wasn’t stormy. Everything was working. Qualified British officers were in control. The latest charts were on board. Of her captain, the commodore of the fleet wrote, “Men like him are very few and far between.” So, how did the SS Atlantic end up on the rocks on April 1, 1873 with almost 600 dead?
After years of painstaking research, Bob Chaulk has answered the questions that have dogged historians for 150 years as they tried to figure out why this leading-edge ship was wrecked.
It took the combined errors of three officers to doom the Atlantic. You will find yourself thinking, “No wonder they lost the Titanic!”
NEW ON THE WATER!
WEEKEND FAMILY SAILING
Flatten the Seas, Full Sails Ahead! For the first time, the S.C. Maritime Museum will offer a weekend family sailing program. Spend two days with a certified US Sailing Instructor learning to handle the two person 420 sailing dinghy.
June 13-14 OR June 20-21
Sat: 9-4 AND Sun: 12-4, 1/2 day in classroom, 1 1/2 day in boat
$375/per boat
For more info or to register call Hope McFaddin at 843-520-0111 or email hha.scmm@gmail.com
Summer Sailing Camps for ages 8-18
REGISTER NOW! for Youth Sailing Camps at the SC Maritime Museum.
Half-day camps will be offered during June, July and August. Each camp is 5 days long and held 3 hours per day. Morning camps will be held Monday through Friday from 9 am to 12 noon. Afternoon camps will be held Monday through Friday from 2 pm until 5 pm. Click on the link below to choose your week.
Optimist Prams (Optis) will be used to teach beginning and intermediate sailors from 8-14 years of age. This year, 420’s, a two-person sailing dinghy, will be used to instruct children 12 to 18 years old.
Friends’ Christmas Boat Parade Party
Friends of the Museum are invited to attend the annual Christmas Boat Parade Party on Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm.
- Watch the boat parade from the back deck of the museum. Parade begins at 6 pm.
- Enjoy chili, snacks and libations provided by museum board members.
- Browse the Museum Gift Shop: 10% discount for members
- This event is free for our “Friends”. New “Friends” are welcome. Dress is casual.
“A Most Violent Storm” – Great Hurricanes from South Carolina’s Past
The South Carolina Maritime Museum opened its latest exhibit, “A Most Violent Storm” – Great Hurricanes from South Carolina’s Past – on June 2 with a program by ABC 15’s Chief Meteorologist Ed Piotrowski. Ed discussed the advent of the 2019 hurricane season, history of local storms, and preparations one should take.
Learn about some of the state’s most destructive tropical cyclones, such as the “Great Hurricane” of 1752; the “Memorable Carolina Hurricane” which destroyed the village at North Inlet; the Sea Islands Hurricane of 1893, South Carolina’s deadliest hurricane; as well more familiar storms, Hurricanes Hazel, Hugo, and Matthew. How did hurricanes get their name? Ever heard of storm towers? What happened to the unfortunate Flagg family at Magnolia Beach? All these questions will be answered and more at the South Carolina Maritime Museum!
“Buy” a brick, preserve your place in history
A wall of nearly 300-year-old bricks recovered from the BROWN’S FERRY VESSEL (c. 1730) is a focal point in the newly renovated and expanded SC Maritime Museum.
The purchase of a BROWN’S FERRY brick is a rare opportunity to “truly” be part of the SC Maritime Museum. A historical brick with a commemorative inscription of the donor’s choice can be purchased for $200.
You can purchase your brick online or call the SCMM, 843.520.0111.
Bricks: $200 each, tax deductible donation to the Raise the Sails Appeal.
Maritime Park Event Venue
Maritime Park, Georgetown SC’s newest outdoor waterfront event and wedding reception venue, is now available to rent! This venue is situated in the heart of Historic Downtown Georgetown overlooking the Harborwalk and Sampit River making it a beautiful stage for your next event.
The Park is managed by Atlantis Property Management. Please click on the link below to visit the SC Maritime Park website for contact info, rates, FAQ’s and event planning resources.
9th Annual Burning of the Socks
Postponed Until Further Notice
The South Carolina Maritime Museum invites you to usher in the coming of spring and the arrival of boating season at the 9th Annual Burning of the Socks. In addition to the sock burning festivities, there will be a “Pig Pickin” with all the fixins, beer, wine, liquor, and live music.
For more information or to purchase tickets call the South Carolina Maritime Museum at 843-520-0111 or purchase tickets online here.
