Native American Studies Center
119 South Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720
Native American Studies Center
119 South Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720
Established in August of 2012, this comprehensive center for the study of South Carolina’s Native American peoples, their histories, and their cultures offers visitors the opportunity to view the single largest collection of Catawba Indian pottery in existence; study primary and secondary texts on Native Americans in the Southeast; participate in educational classes and programs; and observe archaeology, language, and folklore and oral history labs.
Learn With Us
Since 2005, we've been developing curriculum and public programs that educate the public about Native American art and culture, with an emphasis on the Catawba and other Native communities in South Carolina. Students at USC Lancaster and visitors to our Center can learn about art, American Indian literature and culture, Native American archaeology, folklore, anthropology, and oral traditions. Plans are underway to offer additional Native American literature courses, a course in Native American language, and additional courses taught through Palmetto College.
Our Mission
The mission of USC Lancaster Native American Studies is to promote the documentation, preservation, appreciation, and study of Native American cultures and heritages. This mission is aided by courses and curricula, research projects, archival resources, exhibits, publications, and other public and educational programs and materials developed by USCL faculty and staff. The Center works to dispel any stereotypes or existing misconceptions regarding Native Americans, their cultures, life ways, and languages.
Social Media
Follow us on social media to keep up with what's going on!
Visit NASCA
A collaboration between the Center's Archive, the USC University Libraries Digital Collections, and the USC Institute for Southern Studies, NASCA provides resources for studying Native American culture and highlights the important role Native South Carolinians have played in our state's history.
Explore the Center
About Us
Archaeology Lab
Archaeology Lab
Plan your visit! Click here to learn our hours of operation and contact information, view our visitor policies, and meet our faculty and staff.
Archaeology Lab
Archaeology Lab
Archaeology Lab
Have you ever dreamed of handling real archaeological artifacts? Now you can at the Center's weekly archaeology lab.
Archives
Archaeology Lab
Collections & Galleries
We help make information about Native American history and culture accessible to the public.
Collections & Galleries
Native American Studies News & Programming
Collections & Galleries
Special Collections holds scholarly collections for Native American Studies featuring Indigenous artists, artwork, regalia, and the largest institutional collection of Catawba Indian pottery, as well as USCL’s Art Collections, highlighting local and regional artists with works of fine art, folk art, fiber art, photography, and more. Learn more about our current and online exhibits here.
Native American Studies News & Programming
Native American Studies News & Programming
Native American Studies News & Programming
Stay up-to-date with the latest information from the Center! Read the current Native American Studies Quarterly newsletter and see the schedules for upcoming events, including our monthly Lunch and Learn series.
Native American Studies Celebration
Native American Studies News & Programming
Native American Studies News & Programming
Every year we celebrate local Native American history with the public. Join us!
Support Us
Support Us
Support Us
Learn how you can help support our mission!
YouTube
Support Us
Support Us
View previous Lunch and Learn presentations, Artist-in-Residence demonstrations, Native American Studies Celebration programming, and much more on our YouTube Channel!