What Is Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park?
This national historical park preserves two critically important forts guarding the entrance of Charleston Harbor!
What Makes It Historical?
On April 28, 1948, the War Department transferred ownership of Fort Sumter to the National Park Service under the name Fort Sumter National Monument! It would serve as a public memorial to the fort where the first shots of the Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861! In 1960, Fort Moultrie, site of a surprising American victory over the British on June 28, 1776, in continuous use until World War II, joined the monument along with the US Coast Guard Historic District in 1986. Together, this grouping of sites preserves and interprets more than 170 years of the coastal defenses of Charleston Harbor!
In 2016, Senator Tim Scott began pushing for a change to the monument’s name. Fort Moultrie was super important in this area’s history, but it wasn’t getting much attention compared to its island cousin. So, on March 12, 2019, as part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act, this park was redesignated as Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park! More on those individual sites later!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park!
- Donate to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
Liberty Square Ferry Dock
- 340 Concord Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Patriots Point Ferry Dock
- 40 Patriots Point Rd
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Fort Moultrie
- 1214 Middle Street
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
When Should I Visit the Park?
Both visitor centers are open daily from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM!
More Photos
