February is Black History Month – a remarkable celebration of African American achievements and their history as a whole. Check out these historical sites around Charleston to celebrate and learn more about the contributions African Americans have made to society.
Learn about life in the 18th century at Drayton Hall plantation. Located off of Ashley River Road, Drayton Hall is rich with history. Tours of the plantation focus on the vast impact of the plantation – from architectural and landscaping advancements to the inhabitants that fueled its success.
Fort Moultrie and the Bench by the Road
Fort Moultrie played a significant role in the international slave trade during the 18th century. Take a day trip to visit their African Passages exhibit to get a thorough history of the slave trade. While you’re there you can also sit on the Bench by the Road, which is a commemorative bench that looks out onto the waterway where enslaved Africans were brought through.
The oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the Southern United States, Mother Emanuel AME is beaming with history and hope. While some may remember the vicious hate crime that took place at the church in 2015, the church was also the location of an important speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Despite the challenges the church and it’s congregation have faced, the church is a beacon of light in the city of Charleston and a great place to visit.
Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark that was an influential plantation in the history of Charleston and African Americans. It is also home to the nation’s oldest landscaped gardens. They offer a variety of tours and events where you can learn more about the settlement and history of the plantation.
As the first African American slave museum, the Old Slave Mart Museum is a staple of downtown Charleston. While it was once used as an antebellum slave auction gallery, it now houses centuries worth of history. The museum is extending their hours during Black History Month and will also be open on Sundays.
