Since its inception, the Children's Museum of South Carolina has experienced tremendous growth. In 1994, the Museum opened its doors, occupying a modest 1,200-square foot retail space in a local mall. The Museum was well received by all who visited. As a result, CMSC began to expand.
In March of 1995, CMSC acquired a 7,500 square foot facility and the task of restructuring the space into a museum environment began. During this period, 10 exhibits were designed, built and purchased. In March of 1996, the Museum once again opened its doors to the community. As a result of continued support, the Museum acquired an additional 1,200 square feet of space in the summer of 1998.
As the Museum continues to experience growth, it is steadily challenged to meet the needs of the community and state as a provider of a family-oriented learning environment that promotes interactive learning. As the local resident and tourist populations continue to increase, the need to provide quality family-oriented experiences increases. This is evidenced by CMSC's steadily increasing number of visitors and voiced through visitor surveys at the Museum. The Museum’s hopes of a new facility with the economic challenges led to restructure of staff and fundraising campaigns to help improve and renovate the existing facility.
Beginning in 2010, the Museum began to update and bring in new exhibits and learning opportunities. During the renovation, the museum gave each exhibit a facelift with new paint, colors and educational resources. The Discovery Lab, which was once filled with live animals and animal specimens is now an exhibit called “Wild About Plants.” Families learn about healthy eating in a “Farm-to-Table” exhibit that shows how much of the food we eat is actually derived from plants. The exhibit also showcases how wood is used to build furniture and toys, plants are used to make medicines and how the clothing and manufacturing industry depends upon plants and plant products.
In the Winter of 2011, CMSC acquired the “Sock Hockey Arena,” which is made from actual professional synthetic ice that children in socks can slide and skate, keep score and challenge their friends and family members. This exhibit was meant to be a seasonal exhibit, however the reaction of the families and children earned it a permanent home at CMSC year-round.
In May of 2012, CMSC closed for one week to overhaul and renovate more exhibits and the facility. New carpet, flooring and PVC ceiling tiles were installed to give the museum a bright and fresh look. Plus, during the week, the Museum staff converted the Magic School Bus into the walls of the new “Big Bank Exhibit” thanks to the generous support and collaboration of Wells Fargo and BB&T Banks. Many families loved the Magic School Bus and it was one of the first exhibits ever built at CMSC! Children loved to run to the Magic School Bus, where they would sit and watch their favorite Magic School Bus classic movies, however, the exhibit was outdated and was not as interactive. The staff wanted to build an exhibit that followed the mission to allow parents and families to play and learn together, and the Big Bank is an exhibit that is loved by all who have visited.
CMSC reopened on May 22, 2012 and since reopening thousands of family members have visited and been able to experience the “new” Children’s Museum of South Carolina. CMSC is always looking for new and exciting ideas and exhibits to open! Each exhibit is available for sponsorship and families can even leave their mark on CMSC with a new twist on a Brick & Mortar fundraiser. CMSC is promoting the Little Michelangelo’s Fundraiser. Each family who makes a $10 donation will have the opportunity to paint a ceiling tile that will be installed in your family’s favorite exhibit area for years to come and for all to see!
The museum is located at 2501 North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach directly across from the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, in the same building as Office Depot. Hours of operation are Monday – Saturday from 9AM – 4PM during June, July and August. Admission is only $8.00 per person, children 1 and younger are always free. The Museum offers daily programs targeted for children of different ages and interests and exhibits are targeted for families with children ages 10 and younger.