The South Carolina State Museum Foundation will host Moonlight & Milestones, a black-tie, red-carpet gala, Oct. 17 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
The event celebrates the museum’s recent facility upgrades, new exhibitions and plans to renovate and modernize nearly 225,000 square feet of public gathering space beginning in 2028.
“We will be celebrating where the museum is today while looking ahead to an even more exciting future,” said SCSM Executive Director Amy Bartow-Melia. “Moonlight & Milestones will give guests an exclusive look ahead at new experiences, exciting opportunities to learn and connect, and MORE SCSM.”
Guests will enjoy drinks and small bites while exploring the museum’s galleries and two exhibitions: American Battleground: South Carolina’s Revolution and In the Making: Contemporary Craft from South Carolina. Attendees also will get a preview of upcoming improvements planned through the Foundation’s Make Way for MORE Revitalization Campaign.
From 6:30 to 8 p.m., interactive installations and storytelling will highlight planned updates to wings, galleries and exhibitions, including a 25,000-square-foot Innovation Wing. At 8 p.m., the celebration will move downstairs for cocktails, petite plates, desserts and live music, with the dance floor opening for guests.
“It will be a highly polished but engaging night of discovery, dancing, and socializing,” said SCSM Foundation Executive Director Mary Kathryne Wadford. “We want guests to escape their everyday, explore the museum under the moonlight, and relish what they see, hear, taste, and experience. We want them to leave wanting MORE.”
Attire is black-tie gallery chic. Tickets are $175 and are available at scmuseum.org/events/moonlight-and-milestones.
For more information, contact Wadford at marykathryne.wadford@scmuseum.org or 803-898-4935. Details about the Make Way for MORE campaign are available at scmuseum.org/make-way-for-more.
