In the News
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, folklore and oral history labs.
USC Lancaster and its Native American Studies Committee have worked closely with the main campus in Columbia and many regional campuses of USC, the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project, community leaders from the state’s Native American communities, the SC Commission for Minority Affairs and regional arts and cultural agencies to develop plans for bringing greater attention to the history and culture of South Carolina’s indigenous people.
Native American Studies Center Galleries consist of 6,500 square feet of gallery space made possible by the City of Lancaster. Currently, the Center houses three of the galleries named after donors to the Native American Studies Center— The Red Rose Gallery (the City of Lancaster), The Duke Energy Gallery, and The Lindsay Pettus Gallery. Galleries are home to a growing collection of Native American art and exhibits focused on Native American history and popular topics. The mission of these galleries is to bring greater attention to the history and culture of South Carolina's indigenous peoples through preservation projects, exhibits, student engagement, and other public projects.
The Native American Studies Center has been a long time partner with the SC Commission for Minority Affairs, serving as a member of the Native American Advisory Committee, co-hosting events and meetings with the Commission, and serving as a valuable resource for research and technical assistance. As a cultural liaison between the University, Native American Indians and State government, the Center serves to fill a unique role in preservation and promotion of Native American Indian arts, culture and history.
Native American Studies Center
University of South Carolina-Lancaster
Director: Dr. Stephen Criswell
Assistant Director: Chris Judge
Location:
119 South Main Street
Lancaster, South Carolina
Main Phone: 803-313-7172
Email: usclnasp@mailbox.sc.edu
Website:
Kolb Site Archeology Project
Catawba Artist-in Residence at Native American Studies Center
Tribal Leaders Meeting hosted by Native American Studies Center
Meeting of Native American Community host by University of South Carolina-Lancaster Native American Studies Department (Pre-Native American Studies Center) 2008
Photos Courtesy the Native American Studies Center