Formerly located in an adapted house, the new Florence County Museum presents art, science, and history in a blended narrative targeting its regional audience.The Museum has served as a catalyst for the economic revitalization of downtown Florence. The Museum, on the southern edge of the city’s historic commercial core, creates a physical connection between the new cultural landmarks along South Dargan Street and the historic commercial storefronts of Evans Street.

The U-shaped building surrounds a landscaped courtyard with two linear wings accessed by a dramatic double-height lobby. The wings house space for educational programs, state-of the art collections processing and storage, a dramatic public lobby, and more than three times the amount of gallery space than the Museum’s previous home. The large outdoor courtyard, landscaped with native plants, creates an outdoor gallery for learning, as well as a beautiful setting for special events.

Controlled natural light illuminates the second floor galleries through filtered clerestories and light scoops. A special exhibitions gallery with state-of-the-art climate control meets the conservation requirements to accommodate exhibit loans from the world’s leading institutions.