Charleston Library Society, Charleston

Founded on December 28th, 1748, the Charleston Library Society holds the esteemed title of being the third oldest library in the United States and the South's most ancient cultural institution. Its remarkable journey began with nineteen enterprising gentlemen of diverse trades and professions who banded together with a common goal: to pursue enlightenment by acquiring the latest and greatest books, pamphlets, and periodicals from Great Britain.

Membership and the library's collection flourished rapidly, amassing nearly 5,000 volumes by 1778. However, a devastating fire swept through the city, consuming a significant portion of the Library's holdings. Undaunted, the Library Society embarked on a new chapter in 1792, steadily building its collection to 4,500 volumes by 1808 and over 12,000 by 1826. By 1860, the Library Society had cultivated an impressive and diverse collection, encompassing a wide range of subjects categorized under six major headings: Philosophy and Discipline of the human mind; Deity & Theology; Ethics; Government & Politics; Science & Literature – Pursuits, Improvements & Discoveries; History & Biography.

During the period spanning 1748 to 1914, while the Library Society searched for a permanent home, its collection led a nomadic existence, shifting from one location to another for safekeeping. It found refuge in personal homes, occupied the upstairs of the Gabriel Manigault liquor warehouse, and even took up residence in the County Courthouse. It wasn't until 1914 that the Library Society finally settled into its current abode at 164 King Street, the first building specifically designed and constructed to house its treasured collections.

This new home, designed in the elegant Beaux Arts style by Philadelphia architects McGoodwin and Hawley, has become a sanctuary for the Library Society's extensive holdings. Its collection spans from the 15th century to the present day, encompassing materials from around the globe. Found here are rare books, clippings, maps, almanacs, visual materials, and an impressive 350 collections of manuscripts.