Galleries and Permanent Exhibits

Avery Room
This recreated 19th century social studies classroom serves as a memorial to the Avery Normal Institute in observance of the enormous impact the school had on the education and the development of black leadership in the Charleston community, state, and nation.

Cox Gallery
The Benjamin F. Cox and Jeannette K. Cox Exhibition Gallery is named in honor of Avery Normal Institute principal (1915-1936), Benjamin Cox and his wife by their son and philanthropist, Dr. Wendell Cox of Detroit. The gallery features temporary exhibitions.

Changing Gallery
Houses exhibits produced and developed at the Avery Research Center from existing collections.

Seminar Room
This space, arranged in seminar style, is used for public programs and workshops. It is also the starting point for public tours accompanied by a video on the Avery Research Center.

Sea Island Artifact Exhibit Area
The descendants of enslaved Africans who worked the rice plantations in South Carolina and Georgia are known as Gullah people. Gullah culture is a combination of West African cultures that survived on Lowcountry plantations where few Europeans lived, and where some facets of European culture were adopted and Africanized.

Phillip Simmons, Master Blacksmith
Philip Simmons was born June 9, 1912. He began specializing in ornamental iron work in 1938. His unmatched volume of decorative work in the form of wrought iron gates, window grills, balconies and fences can be found throughout the City of Charleston. He hasbeen recognized as a "Living National Treasure" by the Smithsonian Institution.

Museum

The Avery Research Center maintains several galleries and other spaces, sponsors exhibitions produced from the Center's archival and permanent collections, presents exhibits from South Carolina-based visual artists, hosts temporary exhibitions, sponsors a traveling exhibition program, and conducts daily public tours for individuals and groups.

The Center's galleries and other public spaces house permanent displays and installations and are sites for workshops, lectures, poetry readings, book signings, receptions, jazz performances and art exhibitions throughout the year.

Featuring...   "Esau Jenkins: A Retrospective View of the Man and His Times" Corridor (2nd Floor) This exhibition was developed in 1991 by the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture. After its display in Charleston it traveled throughout the state of S.C. under the auspices of the State Museum Traveling Exhibition Program. Consisting of (15) panels measuring 24" x 36", the exhibit chronicles the myriad of activities Mr. Jenkins was intimately involved in. Additionally, it highlights his leadership skills as a conscious and compassionate community activist, organizer, entrepreneur and Civil Rights leader. Born on Johns Island in 1910, Mr. Jenkins had an intimate knowledge of the needs of the people on the Island and the surrounding communities. One of the needs was education -- many of the schools on the Island as in other rural Black communities only went to the eighth grade. Through his efforts, in concert with the community, educational needs were met through the founding of Haut Gap High School on Johns Island. Adult educational and literacy needs and desires were addressed through the founding of the first Citizenship School on Johns Island in 1957. Other concerns were health care and housing for the elderly and Jenkins responed tirelessly as advocate and activist, resulting in the founding of the Sea Island Comprehensive Health Care Center, and a residential housing complex for the elderly, both of which are still in existence. Mr. Jenkins, an entrepreneur himself was also interested in and devoted to the creation of wealth or economic self sufficiency which is borne out by the founding of The Progressive Club and the C.O. Federal Credit Union. The exhibition Project Director was the Honorable Lucille Whipper, the Project Historian was Nan Woodruff who at the times was Assistant Professor of History at the College of and Patricia L. Jenks for the College of Charleston Halsey Gallery was the exhibit designer. The exhibit will be on view through June 2009.   "KABOH: A Legacy of Twelve" Charleston Quilter Dorothy Montgomery made "KABOH" in honor of the "Priscilla" story. The quilt was in the possession of Dr. Joseph Opala who donated it to the Avery Research Center in July, 2008. It's on display in the Denmark Vesey Conference Room

TOURS:
Avery Research Center offers tours for individuals, schools meetings, family reunions, convention participants and other groups.
Group tours must be scheduled in advance. Group tours consist of 5 or more people. Groups that do not exceed 5 require no advance booking and walk-ins are welcome
To schedule a group tour call: Curtis Franks, 843.953.7610 or email: franksc@cofc.edu

ADMISSION:
Admission is Free. Donations are accepted.

DIRECTIONS:

From I-26		Exit on Rutledge Avenue and make right turnonto Rutledge Avenue.. Stay on Rutledge and cross Calhoun Street and take 2nd right onto Bull Street. On Bull Street, cross Ashley Avenue. The Avery Research Center is a half block down on the left.
From US 17 South		Stay straight on US 17 South (aka Savannah Highway) and cross bridge. Keep straight onto Coming Street and make left on Rutledge Avenue. Cross Calhoun Street, and take 2nd left onto Bull Street. The Avery Research Center is one-half block on left.
From US 17 North		Turn left on Rutledge Avenue. Cross Calhoun Street and take 2nd right onto Bull Street. The Avery Research Center is one and one-half blocks on the left.

PARKING:
--There are limited VISITOR parking spaces in our parking lot.
--On the street parking is restricted to 2-hours.
--Busses should drop passengers off at Avery and park at the Visitor's Center
until tour is completed. Charleston Visitor Center information:
375 Meeting Street, (843) 853-8000 or Toll Free: (800) 774-0006. www.charlestoncvb.com
Note: Please follow the parking instructions. Avery Research Center is not responsible for parking tickets received.