280 DIRECTORY OF AMERICAN MUSEUMS 



by Dr. Gabriel Manigault, a former curator, and represent nearly all 

 orders of vertebrates. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. This is the oldest museum in the country, 

 as far as is known, having originated sometime previous to 1777 under 

 the 'auspices of the Charleston Library Society. It was transferred 

 to the Literary and Philosophical Society of South Carolina in 1815, 

 to the Medical College in 1828, and to the College of Charleston in 

 1850. In 1907 a building was provided by the city and the museum 

 became a public institution. 



FINANCIAL SUPPORT. A fixed annual appropriation of $2500 from 

 the city, supplemented by subscriptions, memberships, etc., amount- 

 ing in 1909 to about $1700. 



BUILDING. Erected in 1899 at a cost of $30,000, the building was 

 devoted to the purpose of the museum in 1907. It affords about 36,000 

 square feet of floor space available for exhibition, and about 1800 for 

 offices, workrooms, lecture rooms, etc. The city has expended $12,414 

 in remodeling the building for the use of the museum. 



ADMINISTRATION. By a director, responsible to a committee of 

 the trustees of the College of Charleston, under whose auspices the 

 museum is administered. 



SCOPE. Public instruction, maintenance of local collections, and 

 research. The work of public instruction is carried on largely through 

 the medium of a natural history society organized under the auspices 

 of the museum. Special importance is attached at present to a bio- 

 logical survey of South Carolina , beginning with the coast region. 



LIBRARY. About 3000 volumes and many pamphlets on natural 

 science, geography, and commerce and industry, intended for the use 

 of both staff and public. 



PUBLICATIONS, (i) Bulletin, issued monthly from October to 

 May since April 1905. (2) Contributions, issued at irregular inter- 

 vals, beginning in 1910. 



ATTENDANCE. The museum is in process of installation in the new 

 building. The attendance in the old building, which was unfavorably 

 situated, was estimated at 10,000 annually. 



DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY -CHARLESTON CHAP- 

 TER. 



This chapter was organized in 1894 and maintains a collection of 

 articles of historical interest, chiefly relics of the war between the states, 

 occupying a floor space of about 1000 square feet in Market Hall. 

 The museum is open to the public during the tourist season upon 

 payment of ? fee of 25 cents. The number of visitors is between 

 300 and 400 for the season. 



