Welcome to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. How Can We Serve You?
The SC Department of Archives and History, including the Reference Room, will be closed on December 24-27 and January 1 in observance of state holidays
The Reference Room will be closed for renovations from January 5-26, 2026. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. For assistance with research needs during this closure, please contact our Reference staff at 803-896-6104. Thank you for your patience.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History is an independent state agency whose mission is to preserve and promote the documentary and cultural heritage of the Palmetto State through the Archives, Records Management program, and State Historic Preservation Office.
We can help you research your family history and learn about historic places and how to preserve them.
The department houses one of the most comprehensive state archival collections in the nation, spanning more than 350 years of South Carolina history. Please browse our site to discover how we can help you. As always, thank you for your support of our agency and South Carolina history!
Interested in visiting our Research Room? This video will help.