The McKissick Museum is located at the University of South Carolina.
It is a small museum, but quite enjoyable.
This display shows fool's gold next to real gold.
Jim and I enjoyed the extensive mineral and gem collection most.
I enjoyed seeing some of the stones I work with on a daily basis in their organic form, like rhodocrosite and fluorite.
The state gemstone is amethyst and smokey quartz is prevalent here too. This massive piece below is both together.
Also included in the natural science collection are animals along with gorgeous bits from the sea.
We were here on the last day of Swag and Tassel: The Innovative Stoneware of Thomas Chandler.
Chandler was in innovative potter in 19th century who had a lot of influence working at the Phoenix Factory in the Edgefield District in South Carolina.
This later became the Trapp-Chandler Factory.
The hand painting and handmade forms lacking perfection are gorgeous.
My favorites were the harvest vessels with the whimsical faces.
Other exhibits here include a folk life resource center, fine art, material culture and university relics.
My favorite from material culture is this art quilt.
From folk life is this vase this created from pine needles.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of the museum.
If you go, the museum is located at
816 Bull St, Columbia, SC
Free of charge.
Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Thank you for stopping by! ~Val
That's a very diverse museum!
ReplyDeleteIt really is!
DeleteObviously a fine museum. I have good friends, both retired professors of geology at the University of Waterloo, who were jointly responsible for the mineral collection there, and it has become a first rate collection, open to the public at no charge. Now usually, in your posts, there is a foxy lady peeking at us from somewhere! I think she was missing in action this time!
ReplyDeleteUniversities can have such wonderful museums since so much heart goes into them. The earth's minerals have always intrigued me. Maybe I should have had my photo taken with that handsome tiger!
DeleteWhat an interesting place☺
ReplyDeleteThank you Natalia.
Deleteattractive collections...yes, whimsical faces are exciting...love it.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend
Aren't they fun? Enjoy your weekend too!
DeleteInteresante post! Te espero por mi blog! Feliz día! 🤗🤗🤗
ReplyDeleteGracias Carolina. Fue realmente!
DeleteInteresting place :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Iwona!
Deletei enjoyed all the photos and I especially like to looks at rocks, minerals, jewelry and a big favorite are quilts - I admire people who can make such wonderful ones. I was just talking about our Los Angeles County Fair coming up in September and I always go to the pavilion where all the crafts, art, paintings jewelry making,, etc. is . i love pottery too!
ReplyDeleteMe too. Some people have such talent with certain crafts. The work can be so amazing!
DeleteO lugar parece legal.
ReplyDeleteBom fim de semana.
bjs
Gracias Maristela! Bom fim de semana!
DeleteThat's a giant state gem stone! The painting and shaping of the potteries are very gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend Miss Val.
Thank you Evi. Enjoy you weekend too!
Deletewhat a wonderful museum and how lovely that it is free of charge. That gem and miner collection is something I would enjoy seeing for sure! It is great to see stones in their original form. I'm sure it was especially interesting to you as a jewellerly maker and designer.
ReplyDeleteThe pottery collection looks so lively. It was interesting learning about Chandler and seeing his historical pottery collection.
The animals look lovely as well, although I always have mixed feelings about stuffed animals. In one sense, I admire the efforts and imagine it takes great skill to do it, almost an art form. I definitely see the benefits, the preservation and scientific benefits, but on the other side I often feel a bit uneasy around stuffed animals.
Thank you Ivana. It is uncomfortable seeing animals that have been stuffed. I am much more uncomfortable about humans stuffed though. It certainly is an interesting art.
DeleteI heard about some Eskimos being stuffed and exhibited in a museum after one of the first polar expeditions. They died of natural causes but the whole thing sounded more than uncomfortable...if it was true. I think I saw it in a film not a documentary so I can't tell whether it is a fact or fiction.
DeleteThat does sound creepy. It wouldn't surprise me if it was based on a true story.
DeleteWhat a delightful museum. I like the pottery, especially the last pot, the face vessel. And, also, the butterflies on display are beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Anca.
DeleteCiekawe miejsce :)
ReplyDeleteThe McKissick Museum always has such interesting pieces!
ReplyDeleteWe will be back to see more as exhibits change!
DeleteWow, such interesting pieces in the museum.
ReplyDeleteThere really are!
DeleteThe stones would be something I would be interested in seeing.
ReplyDeleteJust followed your lovely blog :)
It was a really cool display!
DeleteVery interesting post and nice photos:**Regards!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It was!
DeleteLoving this museum, nice collections! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletehttps://sepatuholig.blogspot.com/
IG @gracenjio
Thank you Grace!
DeleteThat looks like a really interesting museum to visit - a lot of fascinating things there!
ReplyDeleteHope that you had a great weekend! :)
Away From Blue
Thank you Mica. Have a great week!
DeleteOh this sounds like a great museum. It is funny but I was watching a marathon of the old TV show The Brady Bunch and I was struck at how fascinated kids were by basic things in life. Do they even like museums like this anymore or is it just about being on a phone or video game 24 7
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
Times have changed, haven't they? I think kids miss out on so much today since technology has taken over. The Brady Bunch was always a favorite of mine as a kid.
Deletewow those stones look incredible!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy!
DeleteDefinitely enjoyed the museum tour, Val. Thank you for sharing your intriguing finds.
ReplyDeleteThank you Khaya.
DeleteI love when a museum has such a variety to show.
ReplyDeleteThank you Chelsey!
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt and the pottery faces :)
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful!
DeleteAn interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI thought the various collections you've shared were great to see and yes, I too liked the whimsical faces :)
All the best Jan
The whimsical faces are quite fun!
DeleteThis looks like a very nice museum. I like small museums -- they feel more do-able, less overwhelming. And it seems they always get less press so thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteI love this museum! There is so much to see there!!! Love those faces too! Big Hugs!
ReplyDelete