Visit

It is the mission of the College of Charleston Libraries, of which the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture is part, to support the undergraduate and graduate programs and to make available informational materials consistent with the present and anticipated teaching, research, and service programs of the College community. The specific mission of Avery Research Center (ARC), within these larger goals, is to collect, preserve, and promote the unique history and culture of the African diaspora, with emphasis on Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry, and beyond.

Location: 125 Bull Street Charleston, SC 29424

Hours: The building and reading room is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The archives/reading room is available for appointment only. See below for additional information.

Due to programming we may have extended hours to accommodate. For the holiday schedule we follow the College of Charleston’s schedule, please see schedule here. The Center may also close for special events and will be indicated on the home page of the website. 

Parking: Parking is available in the five (5) visitor spots outside of our building. Once you get in the building you will be provided with a permit to put on your dashboard.

There is also two-hour street parking, please be aware of any restrictions due to street sweeping or other issues.

Are you visiting the city and looking for attractions and restaurants? Check out the Avery Research Center’s tourism guide for more information.

• Guided Tour Guidelines
  • The Avery Research Center is currently offering guided tours by appointment to College of Charleston classes.
  • Please use this form to request your tour.
  • All tours of Avery Research Center must be scheduled in advance with at least two (2) weeks’ notice. Large groups (15+) will usually be split. Scheduled tours over 30 minutes late may not be accommodated. If any members of your group cannot stand for a 15-minute period, let the Center know ahead of time how many people will need chairs.
  • Please inform Avery Research Center if your class has a specific area of interest.

The Avery Research Center is a three-storied facility located a few blocks from the main campus at the College of Charleston. In addition to housing its staff and storage facilities for collections, the facility houses a variety of meeting rooms, gallery spaces, and exhibits. Access to the Center is located on the parking lot entrance and is handicap accessible. An elevator is available and bathrooms are located on each floor.

First Floor

Administrative & Staff Offices

Phillis Wheatley Literary & Social Club Reading Room

Reception

SMART Classroom

Community Gallery

Second Floor

Staff Offices

Changing Gallery

Archival Storage (not publicly accessible)

Avery Classroom Permanent Exhibit- Avery: The Spirit that Would Not Die

Permanent Exhibits-Denmark Vesey, Philip Simmons, Gullah Geechee, Middle Passage and Early Charleston History

Third Floor

Library (not publicly accessible)

Benjamin and Jeanette Cox Gallery

McKinley Washington Auditorium

The Phillis Wheatly Literary and Social Club Reading Room is now open by appointment only. The reading room is open from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. See more information here.