BRIGHAM COLUMN: Visit museums at a fraction of the retail cost

I want to tell everyone about a great opportunity later this month that allows us to not only save money, but also to explore the rich arts and culture of our wonderful city at a fraction of the regular cost.

Passes for the fourth annual Museum Mile Weekend, which runs Sept. 21-23, are on sale for $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and younger. If purchased separately, adult admission for the participating sites would cost more than $100 for adults and more than $50 for kids.

The pass allows visitors to visit 13 sites along and around the one-mile section of Meeting Street, including six museums, five historic houses, four scenic parks and a Revolutionary War powder magazine.

Many of these sites will offer special programs during the three-day weekend.

“The Museum Mile weekend pass provides the perfect opportunity for visitors and locals to explore a rich assortment of superb sites,” Kitty Robinson, executive director of Historic Charleston Foundation, which operates the Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House museums, said in a press release.

You can purchase passes at www.charlestonsmuseummile.org, by calling 722-2996, ext. 235, or in person at all official Charleston Visitor Center locations (375 Meeting St., downtown; 4975-B Centre Pointe Drive, North Charleston; and 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd., Mount Pleasant).

Participating sites include:

Aiken-Rhett House, 48 Elizabeth St.

Built in 1820 and then expanded by Gov. and Mrs. William Aiken Jr. in the 1830s. The house and its outbuildings have survived virtually unaltered since 1858. Children are invited to enjoy a scavenger hunt throughout the weekend as they explore the house, grounds and outbuildings and learn more about the people who lived and worked on the property.

The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St.

America’s first museum showcases the cultural and natural history of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. On Sept. 21, a series of curator-led collection tours are offered: 10 a.m. Historic Textiles Gallery, 11 a.m. Charleston During the Civil War, and 2 p.m. Charleston Silver. Children’s crafts and a scavenger hunt occur 1-3 p.m. Sept. 22.

Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, 25 Ann St.

Offers eight hands-on interactive learning environments for children 3 months to 10 years.

Confederate Museum, 188 Meeting St.

Since 1898, the Daughters of the Confederacy have operated the Confederate Museum, which contains flags, uniforms, swords and other Confederate memorabilia. The museum is closed Sundays.

The Edmondston-Alston House, 21 East Battery

One of the first dwellings built on Charleston’s High Battery in 1825. View a collection of family furnishings, books, silver and paintings. See an exhibit of original family Civil War letters.

Gibbes Museum of Art, 135 Meeting St.

Explore stories of the Lowcountry as seen through paintings, miniature portraiture, sculptures, photographs and more. Enjoy the opening weekend of the special exhibition “Sound and Vision: Monumental Rock & Roll Photography” and docent-led tours of the museum every day at 2:30 p.m.

Heyward-Washington House , 87 Church St.

Built in 1772, “Charleston’s Revolutionary War House” was the townhome of Thomas Heyward Jr., Revolutionary War patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence. In addition to regular house tours, special Revolutionary War focus tours are offered at 4 p.m. through the weekend.

Joseph Manigault House, 350 Meeting St.

“Charleston’s Huguenot House” was built in 1803 and is a premier example of Adam-style, or Federal, architecture. Focus tours at 4 p.m. through the weekend will give a glimpse of the house’s World War II history, in addition to regular house tours.

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, 122 East Bay St.

Completed in 1771 as the New Exchange and Custom House, visitors can explore Charleston’s colonial, Revolutionary and Civil War past while retracing the steps of presidents, patriots and pirates.

Old Slave Mart Museum , 6 Chalmers St.

The museum’s exhibits focus on the domestic slave trade from the perspectives of historically documented slave owners, slave traders and enslaved blacks, and speak to their stories, contributions and legacies. The museum is closed Sundays.

The Powder Magazine, 79 Cumberland St.

South Carolina’s oldest public building, the Powder Magazine (circa 1713) served as an arsenal within the old walled city and was used through the Revolutionary War. Musket drilling and musket cartridge rolling for kids will be offered 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 22.

Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting St.

Visitors are invited to admire the grand Federal-style townhouse of Charleston merchant Nathaniel Russell, built in 1808. Children can participate in a scavenger hunt and family-focused guided tours throughout the weekend.

South Carolina Historical Society , 100 Meeting St.

The Historical Society is the state’s oldest repository of letters, maps and images. In addition to special tours of the fireproof building, the historical society presents a digital exhibit, “Eliza Lucas Pinckney: A Renaissance Woman in Colonial America.” Sept. 21 tours are at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; Sept. 22 at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. This site is closed Sundays.

Check out the Charleston Savvy Shopper blog at postandcourier.com/savvyshopper; it’s updated throughout the week with cool deals. You also can sign up for our Daily Deals at www.charlestonsavvyshopper.com.

Email Shannon Brigham at charlestonsavvyshopper@postandcourier.com. Follow @chssavvyshopper on Twitter or find us on Facebook.