Few people in South Carolina have heard about the locally-grown, grass roots military museum that’s sprung up next to the Greenville Downtown Airport adjacent to the Runway Cafe and Runway Park, where visitors can also watch small planes land and take off. Unlike other, more official, military museums (at Fort Jackson and Parris Island, for instance), the thing that makes the Military History Center of the Carolinas so amazing is that the items on display are from private collections from those who’ve previously served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
But even that extraordinary fact isn’t the only thing that sets this museum apart from others.
Google/Military History Center of the Carolinas/Charles Barber
Found in a warehouse at the end of Airport Road Ext, the large space is filled to the bring with straight-from-the field memorabilia.
Google Local/Steve Wasser
Vintage vehicles (again from private collections) number in the double digits here and seem to have just the right patina to feel like they’ve just been pulled from duty, no matter their age.
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Dozens and dozens of displays highlight collections used in the fields in tours from all reaches of the globe.
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The biggest takeaway from the Military History Center of the Carolinas is perhaps the sense that you’re seeing more than just equipment, uniforms, or supplies here. It’s more like capturing a glimpse into the everyday lives of those individuals who’ve served both domestic and abroad.
Google Local/Steve Wasser
The museum’s photo collection drives home the notion of life in the field.
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Again, everything here in the Military History Center of the Carolinas is from a private collection and is here due to the grass roots efforts of locals who share their collections and keep the center running, including providing all of the maintenance.
Facebook/Military History Center of the Carolinas - MHCC About 50% of the volunteers are retired service individuals, the rest are those who have never served.
Admission is absolutely free but museum hours are limited. So be sure to check the website before embarking on a long journey to visit.
Google Local/Steve Wasser
Donations are accepted, of course. So when you visit, please remember this 501 (c)3 non-profit could use a little love in the form of anything you can afford to donate. While you’re there, carve out time to visit the runway cafe and runway park next door so you can watch some small planes land!
Google/Military History Center of the Carolinas/Charles Barber
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About 50% of the volunteers are retired service individuals, the rest are those who have never served.
Have you already visited this cool military museum? What did you think?
This museum was featured today thanks to a reader who nominated the attraction for a feature article on our website. If you know of another cool spot that we should feature here, let us know!
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Address: 14 Airport Rd Ext, Greenville, SC 29607, USA
