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Top History museums in Greenville, United States
Top Rated History museums in Greenville
Top Reviewed History museums in Greenville
Reviews
Nice museum, excellent history of the Upcounty, South Carolina
A very impressive collection of many instruments. They have an enormous collection in which they rotate their pieces so it’s always changing. I especially loved the piano collection and was taken back with the documented history.
The curator (and who acquired many pieces himself) was well versed in his knowledge of each piece and even played some pieces for us. He was helpful and enjoyed answering our questions.
I might also add even the young man taking our ticket had a wealth of information to share and very helpful.
We will return again.
The curator (and who acquired many pieces himself) was well versed in his knowledge of each piece and even played some pieces for us. He was helpful and enjoyed answering our questions.
I might also add even the young man taking our ticket had a wealth of information to share and very helpful.
We will return again.
This was my first time visiting the Upcountry History Museum. It's easy to find and has a nice open free parking lot adjacent to the building. The museum interior has two levels with a staircase in the center and an elevator if you wish. The exhibits at the time of our visit included "A Very Grinchy Christmas," which was a display of 150 original animation cells from the 1966 made for television special, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Also, "The Military Photographs of Stacy Pearsall & The Veteran's Portrait Project." Other exhibits show history of the area with lots of interesting interactive elements, video and audio elements, mannequins, and recreations of buildings, equipment, and more. There is of course a gift shop as well.
Excellent exhibits, even for non-musical folks!! Parking is either in the Upcountry Museum lot (free) or the farther pay lot closer to the theater (free with a stamp from Sigal). There's 1 handicap parking spot in the Sigal staff lot. Without a handicap permit, we dropped our family members in the staff lot and parked in the theater lot, and enjoyed the good walk across the green.
Absolutely excellent staff and many great historical instruments!
Very nice museum. However, the experience was disappointing. Reservations had been made several weeks in advance for personal tour guide for our party of 8 on Dec 2nd. Tour guide was a no-show. Two in our party were high school musicians and more indepth explanation and discussion would have enhanced the experience. As we traveled from out of town and coordinating of everyone's schedules didn't allow for returning a different day.
The front desk staff was helpful, apologetic about the oversight and comp the visit. But underwhelming visit.
The front desk staff was helpful, apologetic about the oversight and comp the visit. But underwhelming visit.
If you’re a music lover, definitely check out this museum. Very engaging and pleasant experience.
This is a small but nice museum. The actual artifacts are very limited but it was clean and pleasant to walk through. The kids found a few things they could do. We looked at every exhibit thoroughly and it took us less than 2 hours to complete. We went on a weekday morning and it was mostly empty which was nice because we could look at everything without feeling pressured to move on too quickly.
A small but mighty museum- so much music history on two floors! The kids and I really enjoyed our time here
We always make sure whenever we visit a city or town we include a museum in our schedule. Sigal Music Museum is a must if you visit or live in Greenville and music interests you. Every minute while there was absorbed like sponges. Really impressive collection of historic pianos and harpsichords on the first floor. It was eye-opening to see the intense and dedicated work that was involved for the master craftsmen of the time to create these instruments and that they still exist today.
A fun display of early rock and roll nostalgia is on the second floor. It was our pleasure to have the opportunity to talk at length with the curator who described they have a large inventory and regularly change the main floor exhibit. He went on to say how the floor above gave them an option to put up something different for patrons to see, and they decided to dedicate this space to the earlier histories of music that became great inspirations for the public.
A fun display of early rock and roll nostalgia is on the second floor. It was our pleasure to have the opportunity to talk at length with the curator who described they have a large inventory and regularly change the main floor exhibit. He went on to say how the floor above gave them an option to put up something different for patrons to see, and they decided to dedicate this space to the earlier histories of music that became great inspirations for the public.
It’s an interesting history museum. It’s like a small history class. They have an orchestral section which I really liked.
Another section that I liked is textile hall.
There is another section is about headwear. It was really amazing.
Another section that I liked is textile hall.
There is another section is about headwear. It was really amazing.
Great museum! As of 2023, they participate the Museum on Us Bank of America program, so card holder can visit this museum on first weekend of every month for free. The employees were very friendly, we just had to present the cards and they let us in quickly (after doing their side of ticket logging). There is a little exhibition about Pepsi history in the break room, and they have Andy Warhol special exhibition on part of the 1st and 2nd floor. We learned some history about Greenville. We enjoyed the visit. Plan for 1-2 hours of visiting time for this museum would be plentiful.
A really nice museum with great exhibits on the various aspects of the history of upstate South Carolina. There were displays describing the founding of the area, the impacts of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, industry, electricity, military, music and culture. There were a couple of limited time exhibits during our visit as well, one on military dogs and one on Warner Brothers cartoons. Overall it was a great way to spend a rainy Sunday.
Okay but how have I been sleeping on this place? It's cheap to get in (11$ for adults and 8$ for kids I'm pretty sure) and the exhibits are amazing. They all work and the quality and care put into each one, shut up. They have like, voice exhibits where there is a model and they talk when you hit a button. Omg, it was awesome. Their kids traveling exhibit and the current fabric exhibit are so neat, go hang out there today!
Absolutely phenomenal. Period. The first thing I'll say is that this museum is small at the moment compared to the actual size of the building. After all, it has only been open since the Spring. There are only 2 rooms, one on each floor. However, they are both filled with historic grand pianos, harpsichords, and square pianos. Complete with descriptions and histories of each one. One of their grand pianos was reportedly played by Chopin for a few hours, another was unbelievably found in a chicken coop. Each one is beautiful and immaculately restored, but unfortunately not all are in tune. In fact, you can't play the majority of them (they're roped off and don't let them catch you trying! lol). The curator Tom has big plans for this museum in the coming months, which will eventually include string instruments. I can't wait to see this museum the next time I go down to South Carolina.
If you haven't been here and you live in Greenville then you have missed out on many a great exhibit. Besides some of our state history there are great art exhibits here they borrow for periods of time.
We just saw the Dr. Seuss exhibits the famous quilters like Vera Hall.
I have visited here when they had the costumes that Catherine Hepburn wore.
There is always something interesting here.
Love the gift shop.
We just saw the Dr. Seuss exhibits the famous quilters like Vera Hall.
I have visited here when they had the costumes that Catherine Hepburn wore.
There is always something interesting here.
Love the gift shop.