Cultural and Historic Sights

Charleston has several hundreds of buildings on the National Historic Register, so seeing them all would be quite a challenge. This article does not allot enough time to describe all of the wonderful historic treasures that Charleston is famous for. Try to pick a few that are sound particularly interesting and linger there for the morning or afternoon soaking it all in.

 

·        The Charleston Museum: This is the oldest museum in the United States (started in 1773) and offers artifacts such as clothing, furniture, photographs, fossils, and African-American history from the 1600’s.

·        Dock Street Theater: The colonies’ first theater that opened in 1736, the Dock Street Theater was lost in the fire of 1740 and was reconstructed after being destroyed again in the Civil War. Today it is home to the Spoleto Festival each year and shows are still on the docket year-round. 

·        Gibbes Museum of Art: This museum offers one of the finest collections of 18^th century art that depicts the history of Charleston.

·        Fort Moultrie: This was the site of the first patriotic victory in the Revolutionary War and laid the groundwork for our country’s defense tactics for our coasts.

·        Fort Sumter: This man-made island was the site of the first shots fired in the Civil War and can be visited by tour boat.

·        The Hunley: The Confederate submarine that attacked and sank the U.S.S. Housatonic in 1864 during the Civil War, the Hunley is famous for being the first submarine to sink a ship in world history. She disappeared on her way home from the mission and was raised from the sea over 100 years later. The Hunley can be seen at the Lasch Conservation Center on the weekends only.

·        Magnolia Cemetery: This cemetery was founded in 1849 and houses southern leaders such as governors, Confederate generals and hundreds of soldiers.

·        Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon: This building was where South Carolina elected delegates to the First Continental Congress in 1774 and was also used as a prison by the British during the Revolutionary War. George Washington was entertained in the Great Hall and excavations have uncovered parts of the Half-Moon Bastion which was part of the early Charles Town.

·        Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum: This is home of the aircraft carrier Yorktown that was used in World War II, as well as other military aircraft and weapons on display.

·        St. Andrews Parish Church: This is the oldest surviving church in the Carolinas, founded in 1706, and has several historic gravesites in the church yard.

·        St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and St. Philip’s Episcopal Church: Historic churches famous for their architecture and historic gravesites.

·        Slave Mart Museum: This museum that was once the site for slave auctions delivers narrated presentations on the African-American experience from slave days until the present.