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Downtown Walking Tour Columbia, South Carolina
Item 26 of 27
The South Carolina State Museum opened in 1988 and is the state's biggest museum, featuring 70,000 objects in its collection. Its scope is wide, covering South Carolina's cultural natural and military history, as well as art, science and technology. The museum's exhibits are divided in these areas. The cultural exhibits depict 14,000 years of human habitation in the state. The natural history exhibits feature specimens that date back hundreds of millions of years and highlights include a giant replica shark, a dinosaur and various South Carolina habitats. The science and technology exhibits contain numerous items such as farm equipment, tools, cars and planes. Perhaps the most intriguing part of science collection is the world class collection of American-made telescopes, with the oldest made in 1730. The art collection holds artwork created by South Carolina artists and includes portraiture, decorative arts and contemporary works.

The South Carolina State Museum

The South Carolina State Museum

A look inside the museum

A look inside the museum
New additions to the museum are the planetarium and 4D theater. The planetarium offers astronomy shows as well as films about art, history and natural history. It also plays laser shows set to music. The 4D theater, the only permanent one in the state, presents 3D films with air blasts, water sprays, and vibrating seats. 
"About." South Carolina State Museum. Accessed October 21, 2016. http://scmuseum.org/about.