Black History in Greenville, SC

Experience Greenville Through African American History & Culture

Greenville’s Black history is deeply woven into the Upstate through the people, places, and stories that have helped shape the region. During your next visit, discover historic neighborhoods and civil rights landmarks, experience local art and cultural events, and support Black-owned businesses throughout the community.

City of Greenville Self-Guided Black History Tour

Explore 15 sites that celebrate the area's Black history on the inaugural Black History Month Bus Tour, where you can view Greenville through the lens of those who lived it. Tours are offered by bus, and self-guided tour…

City of Greenville Self-Guided Black History Art Tour

Explore 15 pieces of public art and murals that reflect Greenville’s Black history, culture, and community stories while experiencing it through the artists, neighborhoods, and public figures. A self-guided route can be…

Southern Sounds mural in Greenville, SC featuring musicians Josh White and Russ Morin in black and white along the side of a building with a light blue background and black and white musical icons (like music notes and piano keys) surrounding the icons on the mural.

African American History Exhibits & Upstate Museums

Visit local museums and browse exhibits that preserve African American history in the Upstate region. Through storytelling, educational programming, and rotating exhibits, these museums offer deeper insight into Black culture, civil rights, and local communities.

Family of four on a staircase in the Upcountry History Museum gazing up at a sculpture of the South Carolina state flag.

Upcountry History Museum
540 Buncombe St, Greenville, SC 29601

Located in Downtown Greenville in the Heritage Green area (also known as the Cultural Corridor), sits the Upcountry History Museum, where interactive exhibits and artifacts tell the history of the Upstate. Explore permanent displays that showcase Greenville's beginnings and its civil rights history, as well as rotating exhibits honoring African American history, art, and culture.

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Interior view of visitors of the Greenville County Museum of Art looking at displayed art pieces..

Greenville County Museum of Art
420 College St, Greenville, SC 29601

Also located within the Cultural Corridor, the Greenville County Museum of Art houses one of the region's premier collections of American art. The museum's collection includes works by Black artists whose work explores identity, culture, history, and the African American experience while offering visitors a deeper perspective of the Upstate.

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A brick building with a prominent arched entrance and "GREER HERITAGE MUSEUM" signage stands under a clear blue sky, with manicured bushes and trees flanking the steps in the foreground.

Greer Heritage Museum
106 S Main St, Greer, SC 29650

Located in the heart of downtown Greer, the Greer Heritage Museum shares the story of the municipality's growth and community through local artifacts, photography, and preserved historical records. Exhibits throughout the museum offer a closer look at the people, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses that shaped Greer’s history, including the impact of the area’s Black community.

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A weathered white wooden house with two front doors and a brick foundation stands on a grassy hill, with lush green trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

Roper Mountain Science Center
402 Roper Mountain Rd, Greenville, SC 29615

Explore the Roper Mountain Science Center campus to see the historically preserved Williams-Earle Cabin on the Living History Farm. Built in 1845, it was believed to be a slave cabin inhabited by Moses and Rita Maxwell. As part of Greenville County Schools, please note the Living History Farm is open to the public during special events.

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