City: Charleston, SC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (843) 883-3123

Address: 1214 West Middle St.

Description: From the earliest days of European settlement along the Eastern seaboard, coastal fortifications were set up to guard the newly found, potentially vulnerable harbors. In this unique restoration, operated today by the National Park Service, visitors to Fort Moultrie can see two centuries of coastal defenses as they evolved. In its 171-year history (1776 to 1947), Fort Moultrie defended Charleston Harbor twice. The first time was during the Revolutionary War, when 30 cannons from the original fort drove off a British fleet mounting 200 guns in a ferocious, nine-hour battle. This time, Charleston was saved from British occupation, and the fort was justifiably named in honor of its commander, William Moultrie. The second time the fort defended the city was during the Civil War. For nearly 2 years, the Charleston forts (and the city itself) were bombarded from both land and sea. The walls of Forts Sumter and Moultrie crumbled under the relentless shelling, but somehow the forts were able to hold back the Union attacks. Today, the fort has been restored to portray the major periods of its history. Five different sections of the fort and two outlying areas each feature typical weapons representing a different historical period. Visitors move steadily back in time from the World War II Harbor Entrance Control Post to the original, palmetto log fort of 1776. Fort Moultrie is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Groups should make reservations for guided tours. Pets are not allowed. Admission is free. From Charleston, take US 17 N. (Business) through Mount Pleasant to Sullivan’s Island and turn right on Middle Street. The fort is about 1.5 miles from the intersection.