Eastern South Carolina played an important role in America’s short history. From its earliest days in the late 1700s to the early 1900s, our region bustled with war, industry, and technological breakthroughs in farming. You can explore all of these pivotal pieces of history in a handful of museums in Florence, SC. These buildings hold extensive collections of Civil War artifacts, locally produced art, and plenty of information on the Pee Dee region.
If you’re traveling to us from out of town along the I-95 corridor, you can request access to our free Travel Guide! It has everything you need to know before planning your road trip.
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The Top 4 Museums in Florence, SC
Florence County Museum
The Florence County Museum provides a fantastic insight into the areas past, present, and future. This large building stands across the street from the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. It’s also only a block from downtown, so you can stop by while you shop or dine at one of the nearby restaurants and stores.
The interior of the Florence Country Museum offers six different exhibits that highlight art, history, and science in the local community. Typically, four of the exhibits consist of art produced by local artists in a variety of forms. You’ll find everything from sculptures to oil paintings ranging from contemporary to abstract expressionism. The history portion of this museum in Florence, South Carolina, is home to artifacts, documents, and a hodgepodge of information about the building blocks of our region. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, and it’s many well-lit, air-conditioned halls are very inviting during a hot summer day.
War Between the States Museum
The War Between the States Museum is arguably the most interesting and unique museum in Florence, South Carolina. This unassuming house on South Guerry Street houses an incredible selection of Civil War memorabilia. Weapons, uniforms, photos, and letters are just a few of the many fascinating things you’ll find in this locally run museum. A bevy of items from the Florence Stockade, which was a prison camp for Union soldiers, is on display inside of the house. A large collection of these artifacts were donations from the Sons of the Confederate Veterans.
The museum is only open on Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so plan your trip accordingly if you want to experience this Southern Civil War history.
Other Museums Outside of Florence, SC
The South Carolina Tobacco Museum
The South Carolina Tobacco Museum houses an array of information on the state’s tobacco industry. Equipment, a reconstructed pole barn, and blacksmith tools are just a couple of the items on display in this museum near Florence, SC. The building sits in the heart of Mullins, which is about a 35-minute drive from Florence, and a 20-minute drive from Abingdon Manor.
Dillon County Museum
You’ll find the Dillon County Museum right around the corner from Abingdon Manor in downtown Latta. This small showcase of Dillon County history sits in the old office of the late Dr. Henry Edwards. Exhibits include a dental office, displays of cotton and tobacco agricultural memorabilia, military artifacts, and other historical documents.
The Dillon County Museum is open on an appointed-only basis. We can arrange a tour for you as a part of your stay.
Book Your Stay at Abingdon Manor
Abingdon Manor offers an incredibly relaxing getaway in the heart of Eastern South Carolina. We are only 20 minutes away from Florence, Mullins, and Marion so that you can explore all of the fantastic museums in the area. Our Inn provides a peaceful stay in the small town of Latta, where you can find a spot to read your favorite book, take a stroll around The Village, or enjoy an intimate culinary experience in our dining room. It’s the perfect place to escape the noise and crowds of the big city.
Book one of our rooms and start planning your trip to Florence today. We look forward to meeting you!
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