November 20, 2017

Edgefield, South Carolina: National Wild Turkey Center; things to do

National Wild Turkey Center  

770 Augusta Rd., in Edgefield, (803) 637-3106. 

When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.5 million wild turkeys in North America.  Now, after decades of efforts, the wild turkey has been brought back from near extinction and there are almost 7 million.  The National Wild Turkey Center is dedicated to wildlife habitat conservation in North America and to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of the country’s hunting heritage. 

exterior of National Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
exterior of National Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina


Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center  

This is the only museum in the world dedicated to the wild turkey.  It displays the five species of wild turkey--Eastern Wild Turkey, Osceola Wild Turkey, Rio Grande Wild Turkey, Merriam’s Wild Turkey, Gould’s Wild Turkey, Ocellated Turkey--along with related items, including a great collection of turkey calls.  Interesting facts about the wild turkey include that it was once touted by Benjamin Franklin as a candidate for the national bird but lost out to the bald eagle, and that all male turkeys have a beard growing out of their chest.

How many kinds of wild turkeys have you seen?

taxidermied wild turkey at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
taxidermied wild turkey at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center
in Edgefield, South Carolina


taxidermied flying Gould's Wild Turkey at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
taxidermied flying Gould's Wild Turkey at Winchester Museum
at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina


taxidermied flying Gould's wild turkey--seen from below--at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
taxidermied flying Gould's wild turkey--seen from below--at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina


taxidermied Ocellated Wild Turkey at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
taxidermied Ocellated Wild Turkey at Winchester Museum
at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina


taxidermied wild turkey hen with poults at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
taxidermied wild turkey hen with poults at Winchester Museum
at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina


turkey calls at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
turkey calls at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center
in Edgefield, South Carolina


wild turkey feather kachina doll at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
wild turkey feather kachina doll at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina


ceramic turkey salt and pepper shakers at Winchester Museum at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina
ceramic turkey salt and pepper shakers at Winchester Museum
at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, South Carolina


ceramic turkey salt and pepper shakers in the kitchen of travel writer Carole Terwilliger Meyers
ceramic turkey salt and pepper shakers in the kitchen of travel writer
Carole Terwilliger Meyers



More things to do in Edgefield, South Carolina.

More things to do in Charleston, South Carolina.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers


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