From Here to Timbuktu takes visitors on a journey through West Africa's spectacular and diverse geographic regions. Along the way children and adults are immersed in an adventure of discovery as they learn about the rhythm of West African life. In each geographic region children are introduced to the foodways, customs and culture of the people who call that area home. From the coastal cities, children take a sojourn through the treetops of mountain rainforests, carefully making their way to the open-air family compound on the Savannah. Finally, children trek the last leg of their journey to the Sahel where they will find Timbuktu, an ancient center of learning. From Here to Timbuktu is a one-of-a-kind hands-on experience!

This exhibit showcases the significant number of movies produced in South Carolina over the past 100 years.  Explore the complexity of moviemaking while enjoying photographs, movie clips, filmmaking equipment, costumes, props and other artifacts.

This exhibit, marking the 40^th anniversary of the Tet Offensive, will explore the turbulent events, both overseas and on the homefront, surrounding the biggest single battle of the Vietnam War.

Our local rivers and waterways include the historic and scenic Congaree River, the cold clear Saluda River with its rapidly changing water levels and three miles of whitewater rapids, the Broad River with its unspoiled natural beauty and Lake Murray with its over 620 miles of shoreline, offer many canoe and touring kayak adventures.

See images of the recovery process of a World War II bomber that had been at the bottom of Lake Murray, South Carolina for more than 62 years until it was finally recovered in 2005.  Photograhs, artifacts from the plane and a computer with multiple images of the entire recovery process will be on display. 

This exhibit tells the history and captures the spirit of camp meetings through photographs, video and artifacts.  It features photographs and oral histories by University of South Carolina art professor Minuette Floyd. 

Dale Chihuly: Seaforms includes approximately 35 glassworks and preliminary sketches from his Seaform series – colorful, undulating shell-like forms within forms, inspired by the artist’s love of the sea. Chihuly’s Seaforms are reminiscent of sea creatures and shells, yet they are unpredictable abstract configurations with a transparency and colorful luminosity. Families of Seaforms are large vessels with smaller and smaller shapes nestled within them. The accompanying sketches give insight into the artist’s creative process, and are beautiful artworks on their own. Chihuly’s Seaforms were created over a 14-year period during the 1980s and ’90s.

This five-panel exhibit examines the life of one-time South Carolina resident and United States President Woodrow Wilson.

This family-friendly event honors local firefighters and begins with a 5-k run/walk at Crooked Creek Park. Other activities take place at Murray Lindler Road from 11am-3pm, where demostrations, truck and equipment displays, food, drinks, children's activities, entertainment and other events are scheduled. (803)345-1100

How would you like to take your children or grandchildren for a ride on a real passenger train, visit a red caboose or an authentic dining car, or even a Pullman car that once ferried earlier generations across the country? YOU CAN! Come spend an afternoon at the South Carolina Railroad Museum. There's something for everyone! Come see freight cars, passenger cars, and even a real steam engine on display. And best of all, you can ride the train! We're just minutes from the Interstate, so come join in the fun at the South Carolina Railroad Museum, the official railroad museum of the state! ALL ABOARD!!!

Don't miss your opportunity to plan the perfect wedding!  Come meet the area's top wedding professionals and see the latest trend in bridal fashion, floral decor, photography and much more! 

Featuring early jazz, the jazz that developed in the South, and especially in New Orleans, shortly after the turn of the last century and then spread throughout the world. It captures the joyous and adventurous spirit of America better than its descendants.

Each month, you can visit EdVenture in the after-hours for only $1 per person.

(803)777-4274

Curated by university graduate students in the university's Museum Management Program, this exhibit will explore the role South Carolina has had in presidential elections and the evolution of the voting process and methods.  Visitors will be able to cast their vote for their favorite candidate, with results posted on the museum's website. 

Greet visitors at the front desk, assist at a membership table, help in the studios, lend a hand in the Museum shop – these are just a few of the many ways to volunteer at the Museum. This information drop-in is designed to answer your questions about volunteering and help you find an area of interest. For more information, visit columbiamuseum.org, email ahorne@columbiamuseum.org or call 803.343.2170.

The Columbia Design League’s annual meeting features the New York City based architectural firm Resolution: 4 Architecture (pronounced: “Res 4”). Recent recipients of Dwell magazine’s modern modular design competition and 2001 winners of “Nature’s Theatre”, a national design competition for the new theatre at Saluda Shoals Park, Res 4 principals Joe Tanney and Rob Luntz present the firm’s recent and current work. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and the lecture begins at 6:00 p.m. $5 or Free with Columbia Design League membership.

Renowned photographer and South Carolina native Constantine Manos, presents an illustrated lecture of A Greek Portfolio, now on exhibit in the Mamie and William Andrew Treadway, Jr. Gallery , as well as some of his contemporary photography work. Manos was born in Columbia to Greek immigrant parents and began his photographic career when he was 13-years-old. To date, his photographs are in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and other international museums. The Columbia Museum of Art and the Art Institute are the only two museums in the country that own a set of prints from Manos’ 1972 book, A Greek Portfolio. This will be the first time Manos has visited Columbia in nearly 20 years, and the lecture is followed by a brief question and answer period and a book signing of A Greek Portfolio. Free with museum admission or membership.

How would you like to take your children or grandchildren for a ride on a real passenger train, visit a red caboose or an authentic dining car, or even a Pullman car that once ferried earlier generations across the country? YOU CAN! Come spend an afternoon at the South Carolina Railroad Museum. There's something for everyone! Come see freight cars, passenger cars, and even a real steam engine on display. And best of all, you can ride the train! We're just minutes from the Interstate, so come join in the fun at the South Carolina Railroad Museum, the official railroad museum of the state! ALL ABOARD!!!

(803)777-4274

Activities include arts and crafts, entertainment, a parade and a variety of okra dishes. (803)781-6122

(803)777-4274

Passport to Art Saturdays is a free monthly open studio program for families featuring creative hands-on art projects.