Entry No. 9 — the Charleston file — filed under: dental

Macaulay Museum of Dental History

Founded in 1975 by a dentist who spent his life collecting the tools of his own trade, this one-room museum rebuilds a full 19th-century dental office in situ, lines a wall with antique foot-treadle dental chairs, and displays a Civil War–era traveling dentist's chest that once rode in a saddlebag.

The move: Book the free self-guided visit (weekdays 10am–4pm, appointment strongly encouraged) and take turns sitting in the antique drill chair, then compare notes on which century's dentistry looks scarier over coffee on Ashley Avenue.

• 📍 MUSC campus, Charleston
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 177 Ashley Avenue (MSC 403), Charleston, SC 29425

Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: waring.library.musc.edu · Atlas Obscura · Tripadvisor

last checked: 2026-07-20