We have one of the largest Native American artifact collections in the Southeast. These artifacts date from the Paleo period to modern day, spanning thousands of years. We have 4 major collections and regularly work with archaeologists to know more about these items.
Current Showings Include
The Robert Crawford Collection
The Dr. J. Robert Crawford, III, Native American Artifact Collection, purchased in 2013, by the Laurens County Museum, consists of over 8,000 pieces from all pre-Columbian to historical eras. Dr. Crawford started collecting artifacts as a boy and spent over 70 years accumulating this enormous collection. These pieces were found on Crawford family property on the Yadkin River in Salisbury, NC. Pieces in the collection include projectile points, pottery, axes, and pieces with remarkable scientific and archaeological value.
The Laurens County Museum is grateful to the following donors for this collection:
Beth and Robby Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Burns, Mrs. John Cann (Jean L.), Diane Tucker Culbertson, Connie Daniels, Janet and Tommy Dukes, The Harper Family Foundation, Jan Mercier, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sizemore, Dr. and Mrs. Billy Strickland, Renee Underwood, James W. White, The City of Laurens, SC and Laurens Commission of Public Works
The Tony Harper Collection
Tony Harper (January 1936 – September 2019) became interested in archeology and prehistoric cultures from the time he was a teenager. He found many Native American artifacts on the shores of Lake Greenwood where his family-owned property, in the Cross Hill area of Laurens County. Mr. Harper, who was a businessman, philanthropist, and a native of Greenville, SC, had an immense interest in learning about the people who came before, and he tirelessly worked to encourage preservation and study of early cultures. He participated in and funded archeological research projects and was a charter member of the Piedmont Archeological Studies Trust (PAST), a non-profit organization founded to promote the study of pre-historic people in Upstate South Carolina. Tony Harper and Tommy Charles met in the middle of a field looking for artifacts. Tony was instrumental in connecting people who owned property with ancient rock art in Laurens County with Mr. Charles who was investigating sites for the SC petroglyph survey.
Tony’s interest in the Laurens County Museum began with a visit to the old museum in 2008, where he recognized the Museum’s interest in Native American artifact preservation. When the current museum building was obtained and in a state of early renovation in 2013, Tony connected the museum with Dr. Robert Crawford who was interested in finding a home for his collection of artifacts from the shores of the Yadkin River in North Carolina. The Museum Board of Directors voted to obtain the Crawford Collection in late 2013.
The Laurens County Museum cannot thank Tony Harper enough for being the catalyst for the Museum obtaining the quality and diversity of the Native American artifacts in its collection. Tommy Charles, who was involved in the Crawford Collection acquisition and a friend of Tony Harper and members of the Laurens County Museum, donated his collection to the museum in 2018. The Piedmont Archeological Studies Trust collection was obtained by the Museum in 2021 for the purpose of study, only because of the suggestion of Tony Harper and Tommy Charles.
Lane Harper and Stone Harper donated their father’s collection to the Museum in 2020. The Tony Harper Native American Artifact Collection is the result of one man’s seventy-year dedication to the study of anthropology and the evidence of those who came before. Artifacts in the collection are from all over South Carolina, from Awendaw on Bull’s Bay on the SC coast to the mountains and many other areas of North America. Much of Mr. Harper’s collection was returned to the earth because it was located in the eye of Hurricane Hugo (1989) at Bull’s Bay.
Tony Harper’s generosity and knowledge of possibilities has ensured the preservation of these important collections. The Laurens County Museum will continue telling the story as more is discovered about pre-historic cultures and will be forever grateful to Mr. Harper.
The Tommy Charles Collection
Tommy Charles was an archaeologist who made significant contributions to the field of archaeology in South Carolina. He was well known for his work throughout the state, and his research on prehistoric stone tools of South Carolina. He was a friend to artifact collectors and was often a liaison between the professional archaeology community and those in the public interested in archaeology. Mr. Charles documented private, local collections in many of the counties of South Carolina in his career with the SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA). He also began a study of petroglyphs throughout SC, even though they were thought to be only in western states. Due to his work, many petroglyphs were discovered throughout our state. Mr. Charles is the co-author of “Prehistoric Chipped Stone Tools of South Carolina” and “Rock Art”. Because of his significant work in the fields of archaeology and anthropology, Tommy Charles received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian award in SC, from Governor Henry McMaster in 2021. The Laurens County Museum is honored to be the recipient of the Tommy Charles artifacts collection that he acquired over his lifetime.
The Laurens County Collection
The majority of the Laurens County Collection of Native American artifacts were donated to The Laurens County Museum by the Sumerel Family. We are grateful for their contribution in preserving these artifacts for future generations. Many of our Laurens County artifacts were found on SC Highway 49. We also have a beautiful Soapstone Bowl, which came from the Rabun Creek area, and was given by the Carr family.
