Charleston

“Charleston County and the city of Charleston, its county seat, are the most historic locations in the state.”

“Charleston County and the city of Charleston, its county seat, are the most historic locations in the state.” Situated in the Lowcountry, the county serves as a popular vacation destination but also relies on the business that results from its port. The area in general serves as a large cultural and economic hub for the state.

Charleston County was founded as Charleston District in 1769, and the district became smaller after some of its lands were used to create Colleton and Berkeley counties. The county and its seat were named after King Charles II.

The city and county are saturated with Revolutionary War and Civil War history. Three signers of the United States Constitution and two famous abolitionists resided in Charleston County, and the Civil War began when soldiers fired shots from the county’s Fort Sumter.

Sea Change, Part 4
Episode 4

Video

Hurricanes Matthew and Irma caused an incredible amount of damage to the low country, causing erosion, debris, and millions of dollars in property damage. Some peoples’ lives were hit hard; those who...
Sea Change, Part 6
Episode 6

Video

The rising ocean temperatures are causing species of fish in the southeast to move further north. The increases in temperature, and salinity in the ocean will cause significant ecological shifts. As...
Sea Change, Part 3
Episode 3

Video

The primary and most visible impact of climate change is the accelerated increase of sea levels. Localized flooding has always been a problem for citizens in Charleston and Beaufort, with impacts such...
3D VR - The Powder Magazine | Let's Go!
3D VR - The Powder Magazine | Let's Go!

Interactive

Completed by 1713, The Powder Magazine is the oldest governmental building in South Carolina. This facility was used as an arsenal from 1713 - 1748 to defend the colony from the Spanish, French...
Pages of History: Founding | Carolina Stories
Episode 2

Video

On January 10, 1803, The Charleston Courier was launched by two federalist proprietors from Massachusetts: Aaron Smith Willington, and Loring Andrews, and from Ireland was Stephen Cullen Carpenter...
Pages of History: The Civil War | Carolina Stories
Episode 3

Video

In 1844, William S. King took over as editor of the Courier, and revolutionized the newspaper by employing a new technology for instantly receiving information: the telegraph. He also established a...