After one and a half years of construction and preparation, the museum re-opened in 2006 with a 10,000 square foot expansion, a remodeling of the original facilities and a complete redesign of our Heritage Collections displays. The now tripled in size Pickens County Museum allows us to continue telling the stories of Pickens County and the Carolina Upcountry and ensures that those stories are preserved intact for generations to come. This new space also increases the educational & cultural opportunities for our families and friends, allowing us to provide on-going entertaining and educational programming for the community and our visitors.

1. What is there to see at the Pickens County Museum?

Visitors often comment that our original facilities resemble a brick castle. Located on the corner of Hwy 178 and Johnson Street, in downtown Pickens, SC. and built in 1902, this wonderful example of Turn of the Century Gothic architecture features crenellated turrets, a copper-colored tin roof, and is constructed of hand-rolled bricks which gives each brick a beautiful swirl pattern. But, there are clues to the original purpose of the building when one notices many of the windows have bars. Yes, this lovely building was the old Pickens County "Gaol" and it served as a jail until 1975.

In 1976, the 5,400 sq. ft. building became home to the Pickens County Museum of Art and History, and in 2006, a 10,000 sq. ft. architecturally compatible wing was added. Come inside and enjoy the Hagood Gallery and the Michelin North America Educational Galleries housing the Pickens County Heritage Collection. Represented by thirty-nine permanent displays, the collection interprets the history of Pickens County and the Carolina Upcountry through art, antiquities and artifacts. Here you can learn, among other things, that Pickens County was once home to the lower towns of the Cherokee and that the name "Pickens" comes from General Andrew Pickens, a Revolutionary War hero. This, and other historical information, artifacts, and antiquities soon starts any visitor to thinking about the rich tapestry of cultures, historical events and people who have contributed to, and continue to shape, Pickens County.

On the second floor of the “old Gaol” is our G1 and SealevelGalleries, which coupled with a third Focus gallery in the new wing enables the museum to host changing and traveling exhibitions reflecting a variety of tastes in art. The local community is also involved in annual events such as "Youth Arts Month" each March and the entire state of South Carolina in the Juried Art Competition every spring. Exhibitions of regional artisans are interspersed with varied competitions, thematic exhibits, historical perspectives shows, and up-coming artists’ debut.

Our 990-square foot LavonneNalleyPiperAuditorium is the site of numerous lectures, community gatherings and unique performance opportunities.

Our entire landscape is a Natural History display comprised of the Joe & Maggie Rampey Native Plant Gardens and Interpretive Trail allowing visitors to learn about the plants and habitats that are indigenous to Pickens County.

Additional educational opportunities are available through the Liz Smith Cox Educational Studio where youngsters and young at heart might enjoy classes in a variety of artist’s media.

2. Where does your collection come from?

The majority of the Pickens County Museum’s Heritage Collection comes from the kind donations made by families in our community. It is often that a treasured heirloom or even a supposed piece of junk will find its way to the museum’s display cases. Pieces in the Fine Art Collection are acquired through our Annual Juried Art Competition’s purchase awards as well as through donations and purchases.

3. How Could I make a Donation?

The Pickens County Museum of Art and History accepts donations of archival or historical or cultural artifacts, antiquities, photographs and related materials, as well as items of fine, folk or traditional arts. Items should fit our mission focus in order to be accepted. Additionally, the museum accepts financial and in-kind service gifts; event sponsorships and varied levels of museum membership.

The Pickens County Cultural Commission & Pickens County Museum is recognized as a not for profit charitable organization as required by the Public Charities Division of the South Carolina Secretary of State. As such, all donations to the Pickens County Museum are fully tax deductible.

4. Does the Pickens County Museum run the historic Hagood Mill?

Yes . The Hagood Mill Site & Folklife Center is located about three miles north of downtown Pickens off Hwy 178 on Hagood Mill Road. Originally built circa 1825 and as it stands today circa 1845. It is one of the oldest known surviving gristmills still producing grain products (flour, cornmeal and grits) in South Carolina. Mark your calendars for the third Saturday of each month as, rain or shine, the Mill will be open and operating. During this third Saturday, our visitors will enjoy a very special treat as groups of dedicated traditional artisans volunteer their time demonstrating quilting, spinning, carving, blacksmithing, flint-knapping and many other traditional arts and living histories. Combine these activities with a host of local musicians and a good time is to be had by all!

***Please remember, The Hagood mill site is a Heritage & Nature Preserve. When enjoying the site, please leave it as you found it. No specimen collecting is permitted.

5. Do you charge an admission?

No . The Pickens County Museum of Art and History as well as the Hagood Mill is free and open to the public. You may want to take the opportunity of your visit to complete your Museum Membership card. And, of course, if you would like to make a cash donation, it does enable us to continue the program offerings you may have grown to enjoy.

6. Where are you Located?

DIRECTIONS TO THE PICKENS COUNTY MUSEUM

From Greenville via I-85 : Take exit # 40, Hwy 153 towards Easley. When this road ends at Hwy 123, go towards Easley. Take 123 into Easley. Pass 3 red lights. At fork of 123 (Left towards Clemson) and 93 (right towards Easley), take Hwy 93 (right). Go through downtown Easley. At fork of 93 (left towards Liberty) and Hwy 8 (right/straight) towards Pickens, take Hwy 8. Go approximately 7 miles into Pickens. When you see a Hardees and Subway Sandwich Shop on the left, take the next left onto Johnson Street. The Museum is at bottom of hill on the left (before the traffic light), across from the Police & fire Departments.

From Anderson, Clemson and points South West : Take Hwy. 123 to Hwy 178 (Liberty Exit). Follow Hwy 178 north through Liberty and towards Pickens. At the second red light in Pickens, take a right onto Johnson Street. Museum is immediately on the right, across from the Police & fire Departments.

From Highway 11: Exit Hwy 11 at the intersection of Hwy 178. Take Hwy 178 South all the way into Pickens. Cross Hwy 183, (a dogleg over Main Street) and continue South on 178. Turn left at 2 nd red light onto Johnson Street. Museum is immediately on the right, across from the Police & fire Departments.

DIRECTIONS TO THE HAGOOD MILL

From Greenville via I-85 : Take exit # 40, Hwy 153 towards Easley. When this road ends at Hwy 123, go towards Easley. Take 123 into Easley. Pass 3 red lights. At fork of 123 (Left towards Clemson) and 93 (right towards Easley), take Hwy 93 (right). Go through downtown Easley. At fork of 93 (left towards Liberty) and Hwy 8 (right/straight) towards Pickens, take Hwy 8. Go approximately 7 miles into Pickens. In Pickens, take Hwy 183 West for 2 blocks and turn right onto Hwy 178 North. Go 3 miles then turn left onto Hagood Mill Road (look for brown Hagood Mill sign). The Mill is immediately on the right.

From Anderson, Clemson and points South West : Take Hwy. 123 to Hwy 178 (Liberty Exit). Follow Hwy 178 north through Liberty and towards Pickens. In downtown Pickens, cross Hwy 183 (dog leg across Main Street) and continue North on Hwy 178. Go 3 miles then turn left onto Hagood Mill Road (look for brown Hagood Mill sign). The Mill is immediately on the right.

From Highway 11 : Exit Hwy 11 at the intersection of Hwy 178. Take Hwy 178 South for 5.8 miles. Turn right onto Hagood Mill Road (look for brown Hagood Mill sign). The Mill is immediately on the right.

7. What are your hours of operation?

The Museum’s hours are:

  • Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday – 9:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday – 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
  • Closed Sunday and Monday

The Hagood Mill Historic Site & Foldlife Center is open for operations and tours Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.. The mill offers expanded programming on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every Month (See our current & upcoming events area). The Mill Grounds are accessible for hikes, picnics and sightseeing during daylight hours.

8. Do you have a gift shop?

Yes . On any visit to the museum, you should, before you leave, stop in at the Museum Gift Shop, located just off the lobby area. Here you will find items from over seventy regional artisans; everything from high-end art to homespun. There are books of local interest, rocks and minerals, post cards and note cards and a nice selection of regional music. If you are looking for something educational, a travel keepsake, or a unique gift, here is a special place to shop.

9. Suppose I want to bring a group… Do you book tours?

Yes . The Pickens County Museum provides tours to groups of eight or more. (Smaller groups are welcome to browse on their own and ask as many questions as they like) Whether your group is from the 3 rd grade, high school, college, adult or senior, we can accommodate any tour of the museum to your level of expectations. We do request that you contact us in advance so that we might schedule available time slots. School groups are invited to inquire as to our available “History Mystery” hand outs for distribution to your students. This will help them to “find” items in the collection, and hopefully better understand what it is they are seeing. “History Mystery is available in versions for Elementary grade K-2 or 3-5, and a Secondary grade 6+ level. When you request in advance, we will provide a master copy so that you may duplicate for your students or you may download those documents by clicking HERE for Pickens County's downloadable documents page. Tours are presently made available at no-charge, but we do encourage donations to help defray operating costs.

Likewise, tours of the Hagood Mill historic site are also available by calling the Mill Site Manager at 864-898-2936.

Due to our limited staffing, tours are available only by appointment. A suggested donation of $1.00 per person is appreciated.

10. How can I contact the Museum?

To book a tour, make inquiries or contact the Pickens county Museum or Hagood Mill for any reason you may call us at the museum (864) 898-5963 or at the Hagood Mill (864) 898-2936.

Or e-mail us at:

picmus@co.pickens.sc.us

Thank You for visiting our web page and we look very forward to seeing you during your visit to the Pickens County Museum of Art & History or the Hagood Mill Historic Site & Foldlife Center.