Department of Archives and History
A Historical Commission was established by the General Assembly in 1891 to obtain transcripts of the colonial records from England. When the commission completed its work it recommended a permanent commission be established. In 1905 the Historical Commission elected its first Secretary. The Commission became the South Carolina Archives Department in 1954.
The duties of the Department of Archives and History are to preserve and administer the noncurrent records of the state and its county divisions, to preserve private records the department is authorized to accept, and to improve standards of preservation and care of public records. It also publishes documents on the history of South Carolina, administers a historical markers program and promotes state history, genealogy, and archaeology.
- South Carolina Department of Archives and History Website
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Agency Website Archive
From the SC State Government Web Archive by the Department of Archives & History
Collections in this community
Recent Submissions
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Historic preservation news and notes
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-07-26)The State Historic Preservation Office at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History publishes a monthly newsletter featuring agency programs and events, and highlights those of state and national preservation ... -
Historic Preservation Awards master list, 1995-2023
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-06-28)The Historic Preservation Awards recognize the exceptional accomplishments in the preservation, rehabilitation, and interpretation of our architectural and cultural heritage. The Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation, ... -
Directory of South Carolina's local history, historic preservation, and cultural organizations
(2023-06-30)This directory lists historical and other organizations by county, giving the name, address, phone number, director and website. -
Know your state, and make it known - the South Carolina historical marker program
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-05-03)This document contains information about historical markers, directions to apply, what markers can be about, what historical markers do, and other relevant resources. -
Historic preservation news and notes
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-06-29)The State Historic Preservation Office at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History publishes a monthly newsletter featuring agency programs and events, and highlights those of state and national preservation ... -
African American historic places in South Carolina
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-06-02)The following properties in South Carolina were listed in the National Register of Historic Places or recognized by the South Carolina Historical Marker program from July 2021 - June 2022 and have important associations ... -
Historic preservation news and notes
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-05-19)The State Historic Preservation Office at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History publishes a monthly newsletter featuring agency programs and events, and highlights those of state and national preservation ... -
News in review
(2023-02-22)The Review and Compliance Division of the State Historic Preservation Office periodically publishes News in Review with information that helps federal and state agencies and applicants identify historic properties listed ... -
Directory of South Carolina's local history, historic preservation, and cultural organizations
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-03-23)This directory lists historical and other organizations by county, giving the name, address, phone number, director and website. -
Upper Richland County, South Carolina historical and architectural inventory
(South Carolina State Library, 2002-06)The primary objectives of the survey program were to gather, organize and present information about historic properties in photographs, words, maps and drawings. During the Upper Richland County survey, the surveyors ... -
Contextualizing South Carolina’s tobacco buildings : historic overview & NRHP guidance
(South Carolina State Library, 2013-08)This document gives a history of tobacco, tobacco farming and tobacco buildings in South Carolina. -
Historic preservation news and notes
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-04-21)The State Historic Preservation Office at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History publishes a monthly newsletter featuring agency programs and events, and highlights those of state and national preservation ... -
Records management in an electronic environment
(South Carolina State Library, 2021-01-06)This pamphlet by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History is one in a series titled Electronic Records Management Guidelines. This pamphlet addresses records management in an electronic environment, its legal ... -
Historic preservation news and notes
(South Carolina State Library, 2023-03-22)The State Historic Preservation Office at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History publishes a monthly newsletter featuring agency programs and events, and highlights those of state and national preservation ... -
York County
(South Carolina State Library, 2022-08-18)The South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office publishes the South Carolina Statewide Survey of Historic Properties, which includes information on over 68,000 historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and ... -
Williamsburg County
(South Carolina State Library, 2022-08-18)The South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office publishes the South Carolina Statewide Survey of Historic Properties, which includes information on over 68,000 historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and ... -
Union County
(South Carolina State Library, 2022-08-18)The South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office publishes the South Carolina Statewide Survey of Historic Properties, which includes information on over 68,000 historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and ... -
Thematic surveys
(South Carolina State Library, 2022-08-18)Thematic surveys are cross-referenced under the applicable county finding aid. The following is a list of topics on which thematic surveys have been conducted: Bridges, Revolutionary War/Civil War, Military/Cold War, ... -
Sumter County
(South Carolina State Library, 2022-08-18)The South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office publishes the South Carolina Statewide Survey of Historic Properties, which includes information on over 68,000 historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and ... -
Spartanburg County
(South Carolina State Library, 2022-08-18)The South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office publishes the South Carolina Statewide Survey of Historic Properties, which includes information on over 68,000 historic buildings, structures, sites, objects, and ...