Upcountry History Museum

Connections Café - "We Didn't Wait For Freedom"
2023-09-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Monthly program in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association for individuals living with early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. Programs vary each month but usually include a short meeting with updates from the Alzheimer’s Association, a tour of a Museum exhibition, and a hands-on activity time in the classroom.
Connections Café meets the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Admission is free for all participants and caregivers.

September 14 | 2:00 p.m.
Join us on September 14, and explore “We Didn’t Wait for Freedom”: African-American Civil War Narrative Quilts by Vera Hall.

Homeschool Day - Facing the Inferno
2023-09-15 13:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Facing the Inferno: The Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer
Kari Greer has spent two decades documenting wildfires as a photographer for the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. Her photographs feature the beauty and power of these wildfires and highlight the brave men and women who fight them each year. Facing the Inferno: The Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer features 64 images from Greer’s collection. On September 15, explore the science behind fighting wildfires and help create a fire safety plan for your family!

WHAT: UHM Homeschool Day

WHEN: Friday, September 15 | 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: September 15 is open to children in 1st-12th grade.

WHY: Explore the wildfire photography of Kari Greer and learn the science of firefighting!

COST: $10 per student & $12 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $6 per student & Adults are FREE

Lunchbox Learning
2023-09-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Upcountry History Museum, 540 Buncombe Street, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
An Environmental History of the Civil War
Presented by Dr. Timothy Silver, Appalachian State University
Dr. Timothy Silver is a professor of history at Appalachian State University. In his newest book An Environmental History of the Civil War, Dr. Silver explores the relationship of the Civil War with the natural world. Along with his co-author, Judkin Browning, Silver recognizes that the Civil War was not just a military conflict but also a moment of profound transformation in Americans’ relationship with the natural world. Environmental factors such as topography, weather, and access to natural resources heavily impacted both armies and shaped the outcomes of battles. Silver analyzes these factors and explains how the American Civil War led to advancements in meteorology, medicine, and veterinary sciences, and led to the start of the conservation movement, and establishment of the first national parks.

Lunchbox Learning is generously sponsored by:

Splash & Bubbles Dive In, Lend A Fin
2023-09-23 10:00 - 2024-02-04 17:00 UTC
September 23, 2023 – February 4, 2024
Explorers of all ages will dive into the incredible world of ocean exploration when Splash and Bubbles: Dive In, Lend a Fin makes it’s only South Carolina stop at the Upcountry History Museum. Visitors will join Splash, Bubbles, and the Reeftown Rangers in exploring marine biology, ocean science, and different ocean ecosystems.
Based on the popular PBS KIDS TV show, Splash and Bubbles, a hit animated series that encourages children to explore ocean science through character-driven comedy, the series is co-produced by The Jim Henson Company and Herschend Entertainment Studios.
Both the television series and the exhibition follow the adventures of Splash, a yellow fusilier fish who has migrated all of the oceans before settling down in Reeftown, where he befriends three inquisitive fellow sea creatures. Until Splash came along, Bubbles, Dunk, Ripple, and most of the other Reeftown residents had no idea what lay beyond the cozy confines of their coral walls.
The 2,500 square foot, interactive exhibition, builds on kids’ connections to the characters and their habitats, immersing them in a larger-than-life marine environment and introducing them to the incredible world of ocean exploration.
While exploring the early childhood STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) based exhibit, children are encouraged to build both scientific inquiry and social emotional skills as they learn how to protect the ocean and its ecosystems. Ocean conservation is a key message throughout the exhibit, encouraging families to understand that they can create “a small ripple to help our big ocean.”
Featuring a variety of hands-on exhibit components, Splash and Bubbles invites children to discover a whole new world as they navigate an under-the-sea maze in a kelp forest, explore a sunken ship that has become an artificial reef, interact with puppet characters created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, become a Reeftown Ranger, dress up as a stingray or a sea turtle, and learn fun “Fin Facts” at Flo’s School of Fish.

Support provided by

Drop-In Tour: Changing Exhibitions
2023-09-28 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Annually, the Upcountry History Museum hosts and organizes a diverse exhibit schedule that features topics in history, art, science, natural history, and pop culture. Through guided tours, UHM Docents engage visitors further in the exploration of topics related to the exhibits and their connections to the Upcountry, SC.

Free to UHM Members and included with admission for all other guests.

The September 28 Drop-In Tour will include:
Frontiers Past and Future: Science Fiction and the American West
Facing the Inferno: The Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer
“We Didn’t Wait for Freedom”: Civil War Narrative Quilts by Vera Hall

Drop-In Tours depart from the Main Lobby on the first floor.

No reservations are required, but non-members must purchase admission from the Welcome Desk to attend a Drop-In Tour.

Neighborhood Night
2023-10-05 17:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Access for All!
UHM is open on the first Thursday evening of select months throughout 2023.

The Museum operates with the firm belief that its exhibits, events, and programming should be accessible to all, regardless of cultural, ethnic, geographic, or socioeconomic differences. The Neighborhood Night initiative, introduced in 2015, provides free access to educational programming for underserved children, families, and adults.

WHEN: Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Upcountry History Museum
HOW: Drop in to explore the Museum and its changing exhibitions. No registration is required.
WHY: Neighborhood Nights demonstrate the Museum’s commitment to accessibility, regardless of economic constraints by providing full access to the Museum’s diverse exhibitions.
COST: FREE!
QUESTIONS: Call (864)467-3100 or email info@upcountryhistory.org

The Bias Inside Us
2023-10-07 10:00 - 2023-11-05 17:00 UTC
The Bias Inside Us
October 7, – November 5, 2023

October 7, – November 5, 2023
The Bias Inside Us—an exhibition and community engagement project from the Smithsonian—is an exploration of the social science, psychology, and consequences of implicit bias. Bias is an innate human trait; we all have it. Being aware of our bias can help us recognize their influence and impact on our behaviors and worldview. The Bias Inside Us offers an opportunity to learn how to challenge bias in the world through awareness of one’s own bias.
The Bias Inside Us organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. Major support is provided by The Otto Bremer Trust.

Support also provided by

Connections Café - The Bias Inside Us
2023-10-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Monthly program in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association for individuals living with early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. Programs vary each month but usually include a short meeting with updates from the Alzheimer’s Association, a tour of a Museum exhibition, and a hands-on activity time in the classroom.
Connections Café meets the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Admission is free for all participants and caregivers.

October 12 | 2:00 p.m.
Join us on October 12 and explore the newest exhibition, The Bias Inside Us.

Saturday Toddler Time with Rainbow Fish
2023-10-14 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Spark your child’s innate curiosity through hands-on play that is educational and engaging!

Join Rainbow Fish as the Museum hosts Splash and Bubbles: Dive In, Lend a Fin! This exhibit allows children to immerse themselves in a larger-than-life marine environment and introduces them to the incredible world of ocean exploration.
Come out and enjoy exhibit playtime, themed game stations, museum-wide scavenger hunt, and a group story time with snack and juice, followed by a special Meet-N-Greet with THE RAINBOW FISH from the beloved children’s book series by author Marcus Pfister!

Toddler Times are included with general admission and all children ages 2 and under are FREE.

Toddler Time with The Rainbow Fish
2023-10-17 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)

Lunchbox Learning
2023-10-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Upcountry History Museum, 540 Buncombe Street, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
American Landmark: Charles Duell and the Rebirth of Middleton Place
Presented by Virginia Beach
Author Virginia Beach explores the history of Middleton Place and its transformation throughout time. Charles Duell was 31 years old when he inherited Middleton Place from his grandfather in 1969. His sudden inheritance compelled him to leave a finance career in New York and move his family to South Carolina, where he found the national landmark languishing. Birthplace of a Declaration signer and a First Continental Congress president, Middleton Place also had been home to hundreds of enslaved men, women and children. As the new man in charge, Duell’s challenge was to preserve the history contained in the houses and lands of his forebears, while also making them sustainable, relevant and accessible for future generations.

Lunchbox Learning is generously sponsored by:

Homeschool Day - The Bias Inside Us
2023-10-20 13:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
The Bias Inside Us
Bias is an innate human trait; we all have it. Being aware of our biases can help us recognize their influence and impact on our behaviors and worldview. The Bias Inside Us offers an opportunity to learn how to challenge bias in the world through awareness of one’s own bias.

WHAT: UHM Homeschool Day

WHEN: Friday, October 20 | 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: October 20 is open to children in 1st-12th grade.

WHY: Explore the psychology of human bias.

COST: $10 per student & $12 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $6 per student & Adults are FREE

Hard Earned: The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall & The Veteran’s Portrait Project
2023-10-21 10:00 - 2024-01-14 17:00 UTC
October 21, 2023 – January 14, 2024
“I carry a gun, but my real weapon is my camera.”
Stacy Pearsall
Retired Air Force Staff Sergeant and aerial combat photojournalist Stacy Pearsall has spent most of her adult life focused on two passions: photography and the military. Pearsall began her career as an Air Force still-photographer at the age of 17. At age 21 she became one of the few women to ever be accepted into the 1-Combat Camera Squadron, an elite unite of the Air Force that provides photographs of military operations to high-ranking government officials in order to inform decision making and preserve a historical record.
During her years of military service, Pearsall traveled to over 41 countries and served in three combat tours of Iraq. She is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and Air Force Commendation with valor for her combat actions in Iraq. She is one of only two women to have won the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Military Photographer of the Year competition, and the only woman to have earned it twice. In 2013 she was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from The Citadel for her many contributions to the college, to American veterans, and to the U.S. Armed Forces.
Soon after being medically retired from military service, Pearsall found a new way to continue her dual passions through the award-winning Veterans Portrait Project. The project began in 2008 while Pearsall was rehabilitating from combat injuries sustained in Iraq. She found her inspiration in the hours spent in VA waiting rooms, surrounded by fellow veterans, and was compelled to honor and thank them through photography with the Veterans Portrait Project. To date she has documented over 7,500 veterans across all 50 states.
In partnership with Syracuse University, the Upcountry History Museum will present a selection of 45 photographs from Pearsall’s career as a combat photographer, as well as works from her ongoing Veterans Portrait Project. Each series approaches the military from different angles – in her combat series viewers are confronted with scenes from the conflict in the Middle East. These landscapes with lone or few figures speak to an experience fraught with hidden dangers, and hours spent alone in unforgiving territory. This experience and understanding of combat allow Pearsall to connect to the veterans she now photographs for the national Portrait Project. In both her combat images and veterans’ portraits, Pearsall’s eye for light and emotion creates an honest photograph that provides insight into the military experience.
The Upcountry History Museum will include military objects and archival materials from its permanent collection, as well as loaned objects, within the Hard Earned exhibit experience.

Support provided by

Drop-In Tour: Changing Exhibitions
2023-10-26 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Annually, the Upcountry History Museum hosts and organizes a diverse exhibit schedule that features topics in history, art, science, natural history, and pop culture. Through guided tours, UHM Docents engage visitors further in the exploration of topics related to the exhibits and their connections to the Upcountry, SC.

Free to UHM Members and included with admission for all other guests.

The October Drop-In Tour will include:
“We Didn’t Wait for Freedom”: Civil War Narrative Quilts by Vera Hall
The Bias Inside Us
Hard Earned: The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall & The Veteran’s Portrait Project

Drop-In Tours depart from the Main Lobby on the first floor.

No reservations are required, but non-members must purchase admission from the Welcome Desk to attend a Drop-In Tour.

Family Fun Day with Ariel
2023-10-28 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Make a splash and dive into the incredible world of ocean exploration with ARIEL at our next Halloween-themed Family Fun Day! Costumes are encouraged and visitors can take part in games, crafts, scavenger hunt and group story time.

Family Fun Days are included with your general admission.

A Very Grinchy Christmas
2023-11-04 10:00 - 2024-01-21 17:00 UTC
A Very Grinchy Christmas
November 4, 2023 – January 21, 2024
“Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot. But the Grinch who lived just North of Whoville did not.”
from How the Grinch Stole Christmas, published 1957

It began as a children’s book on the biggest theft in history. Then it transformed into a classic television special.
On December 18, 1966, 3.8 million people tuned in to CBS-TV to witness the birth of what would become one of the most watched holiday specials in the history of American television – “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
The made-for-television, 26-minute animated story by legendary animation director Chuck Jones (of Looney Tunes fame), was based on the 1957 book by Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss). Featuring a grouchy curmudgeon who tries to ruin Christmas, it went on to become an instant holiday classic, beloved by generations.
The Upcountry History Museum will celebrate the holiday season with the small-hearted creature who hates it the most, when it hosts A Very Grinchy Christmas. The special exhibition, featuring over 150 original animation cels, Dr. Seuss sketches, backgrounds, and ephemera, will make its Southeastern U.S. debut in Greenville, SC.
The exhibition items – selected from a private collection – illustrate Jones’ approach to adapting the story for the screen. In contrast to the book’s black, white, and red palette, Chuck Jones unleashed a riotous array of vivid colors to depict the story’s settings and characters. The 1966 film, narrated by Boris Karloff, showcased Jones’s unparalleled character animation and comic timing, creating an utterly believable, villainous – but ultimately redeemed – Grinch that became the standard for all subsequent adaptations.
Whereas today’s studios and production companies provide project funding, television specials of the past, like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, had to rely on company sponsorship in order to get made. With storyboards in hand, Jones pitched the Grinch to more than two dozen potential sponsors – breakfast foods and candy companies – without any luck. Down to the wire, he finally found a sponsor in an unlikely source – the Foundation for Commercial Banks. Coming in at over $300,000, or $2.2 million in today’s dollars, the special’s budget was unheard of at the time for a 26-minute cartoon adaptation.
Funny, heartwarming, and visually stunning, the exhibition will reflect both the book and the television special’s universal story about the spirit of giving and the indomitable power of optimism.

Support provided by

Connections Café - Hard Earned: The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall & The Veterans Portrait Project
2023-11-09 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Monthly program in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association for individuals living with early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. Programs vary each month but usually include a short meeting with updates from the Alzheimer’s Association, a tour of a Museum exhibition, and a hands-on activity time in the classroom.
Connections Café meets the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Admission is free for all participants and caregivers.

November 9 | 2:00 p.m.
Join us on November 9 and explore Hard Earned: The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall & The Veterans Portrait Project.

Free Admission for U.S. Veterans
2023-11-11 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
In honor of those that served, the Upcountry History Museum is offering free admission for all U.S. Veterans on Saturday, November 11.

Museum Hours are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM with these current exhibitions on display:

Toddler Time - Veterans Day
2023-11-11 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Spark your child’s innate curiosity through hands-on play that is educational and engaging!

Enjoy exhibit playtime in Splash and Bubbles, Dive In, Lend a Fin! and take time to explore the Veterans Portraits from Hard Earned: The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall. Little ones can take part in themed game stations, museum-wide scavenger hunt, and a group story time with snack and juice.

Toddler Times are included with general admission and all children ages 2 and under are FREE.

Lunchbox Learning
2023-11-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Upcountry History Museum, 540 Buncombe Street, Greenville, SC, 29601, United States
Catawba Culture, Pottery, and Folklore
Presented by Dr. Stephen Criswell, USC Lancaster
Indigenous artists from what is now known as the Catawba Nation have been continuously making hand-formed pottery from clay harvested around the Catawba River for over 6000 years. This talk will introduce the audience to Catawba Nation pottery, its history, traditional forms, and selected artists. Dr. Criswell is a folklorist, English professor, and the Director of the USC Lancaster Native American Studies Center. He has worked with Catawba potters for the past twenty-five years.

Lunchbox Learning is generously sponsored by:

History After Dark: THE SIXTIES
2023-11-16 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
Thursday, November 16 | 5:30 p.m.

A decade marked by the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, antiwar protests, political assassinations, and counterculture movements, the 1960s in America was a turbulent and divisive era. However, it was also a time that inspired remarkable cultural innovation in music, art, fashion, and individualism.
Closer to home, these changes were reflected in the everyday life of Upcountry residents. For one night only, explore The Sixties with live music, drinks, and an exclusive look into the Museum’s permanent collections.
Don your best 60’s fashion and experience this tumultuous and psychedelic decade through artifacts and archival records, ranging from bathing suits and high school uniforms to bumper stickers and newspapers. Purchase tickets now and take advantage of this rare opportunity to see several items not usually seen by the public.

Each adult ticket reservation includes two, complimentary drinks tickets.
The Museum will serve light hors d’oeuvres with lemonade, beer, and wine.

Live music provided by Jukebox 45.

UHM Members Non Members
Adults – $20 Adults – $24
Children* – $10 Children* – $12

*Children’s tickets are for ages 18 and under only.

Homeschool Day - The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall & The Veteran's Portrait Project
2023-11-17 13:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Hard Earned: The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall & The Veteran’s Portrait Project

WHAT: UHM Homeschool Day

WHEN: Friday, November 17 | 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: November 17 is open to children in 1st-12th grade.

WHY: Learn about the principles of photography.

COST: $10 per student & $12 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $6 per student & Adults are FREE

Toddler Time with Moana
2023-11-21 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Spark your child’s innate curiosity through hands-on play that is educational and engaging!

Join MOANA as the Museum hosts Splash and Bubbles: Dive In, Lend a Fin! This exhibit allows children to immerse themselves in a larger-than-life marine environment and introduces them to the incredible world of ocean exploration.
Come out and enjoy exhibit playtime, themed game stations, museum-wide scavenger hunt, and a group story time with snack and juice, followed by a special Meet-N-Greet with Moana!

Toddler Times are included with general admission and all children ages 2 and under are FREE.

Drop-In Tour: Changing Exhibitions
2023-11-30 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
Annually, the Upcountry History Museum hosts and organizes a diverse exhibit schedule that features topics in history, art, science, natural history, and pop culture. Through guided tours, UHM Docents engage visitors further in the exploration of topics related to the exhibits and their connections to the Upcountry, SC.

Free to UHM Members and included with admission for all other guests.

The November Drop-In Tour will include:
“We Didn’t Wait for Freedom”: Civil War Narrative Quilts by Vera Hall
Hard Earned: The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall & The Veteran’s Portrait Project
A Very Grinchy Christmas

Drop-In Tours depart from the Main Lobby on the first floor.

No reservations are required, but non-members must purchase admission from the Welcome Desk to attend a Drop-In Tour.

Neighborhood Night
2023-12-07 17:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Access for All!
UHM is open on the first Thursday evening of select months throughout 2023.

The Museum operates with the firm belief that its exhibits, events, and programming should be accessible to all, regardless of cultural, ethnic, geographic, or socioeconomic differences. The Neighborhood Night initiative, introduced in 2015, provides free access to educational programming for underserved children, families, and adults.

WHEN: Thursday, December 7, 2023 | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Upcountry History Museum
HOW: Drop in to explore the Museum and its changing exhibitions. No registration is required.
WHY: Neighborhood Nights demonstrate the Museum’s commitment to accessibility, regardless of economic constraints by providing full access to the Museum’s diverse exhibitions.
COST: FREE!
QUESTIONS: Call (864)467-3100 or email info@upcountryhistory.org

Family Membership Promotion!
2023-12-08 08:00 - 08:30 (America/New_York)
“Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”

Saturday, December 9 | 10AM – 3PM

Don’t be a Grinch and join the festivities, where all ages can take part in games, crafts, giveaways, a museum wide scavenger hunt, and group story times with snack and juice.

Family Fun Days are included with your general admission.

Family Fun Day
2023-12-09 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
“Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.”

Don’t be a Grinch and join the festivities, where all ages can take part in games, crafts, giveaways, a museum wide scavenger hunt, and group story times with snack and juice.

Family Fun Days are included with your general admission.

Connections Café - A Very Grinchy Christmas
2023-12-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Monthly program in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association for individuals living with early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. Programs vary each month but usually include a short meeting with updates from the Alzheimer’s Association, a tour of a Museum exhibition, and a hands-on activity time in the classroom.
Connections Café meets the second Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
Admission is free for all participants and caregivers.

December 14 | 2:00 p.m.
Join us on December 14 to explore A Very Grinchy Christmas!

Homeschool Day - SOLD OUT
2023-12-15 13:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
A Very Grinchy Christmas – SOLD OUT!
It began as a children’s book on the biggest theft in history. Then, it transformed into a classic television special that first aired on December 18, 1966,with an astounding audience of 3.8 million people.
The made-for-television animated story would go on to become one of the most watched holiday specials in the history of American television! Celebrate the holiday season and explore over 150 original animation cels, Dr. Seuss sketches, and backgrounds while also creating your own personalized snow globes. Space is limited, so book NOW!

WHAT: UHM Homeschool Day

WHEN: Friday, December 15 | 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Upcountry History Museum

HOW: December 15 is open to children in 1st-5th grade.

COST: $10 per student & $12 per adult

UHM MEMBERS COST: $6 per student & Adults are FREE

Toddler Time!
2023-12-19 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)
Spark your child’s innate curiosity through hands-on play that is educational and engaging!

Celebrate the holidays at the UHM and enjoy exhibit playtime, themed game stations, museum-wide scavenger hunt, and a group story time with snack and juice.

Toddler Time is included with your general admission and FREE for children ages 2 and under.
