Smithsonian Magazine: “Five Historic Places to Experience Charleston, South Carolina’s Captivating Past”
The Charleston area is widely celebrated for its charming cobblestone streets, Spanish moss-draped trees, and postcard-worthy waterfront—not to mention its mouthwatering Lowcountry fusion cuisine. But beyond its undeniable charms, the destination is a veritable patchwork quilt of cultures and shared histories. In every direction one explores, it becomes a winding, experiential exhibit where the nation’s colonial history and Southern opulence combine to create something at once familiar—yet entirely unexpected.
Founded in 1670, the area has borne witness to generations of the American experience. From the rise of the plantation economy to the horrors of slavery to the fight for independence and more, the Charleston area has seen some of the nation’s most transformational moments occur up close. Around each cobblestoned corner, the past is still palpable today, and this is particularly true inside the area’s proud collection of museums—the keepers of some of its more unexpected narratives. Here, we highlight five must-visit landmarks that provide a glimpse into the formation of the Charleston area—and America as we know it today.
1. International African American Museum: Honoring Resilience
Perched on the historic site of Gadsden’s Wharf, the International African American Museum (IAAM) is an eye-opening experience that honors the African American experience across generations. In fact, it was here that nearly half of all enslaved Africans first set foot in America so many years ago. The powerful and inherently emotional space opened in 2023 on a scenic 2.3-acre plot, and today, it recognizes the African American resiliency throughout the nation’s complicated history.
Occupying a state-of-the-art facility, the museum’s focus is vast, spanning not only the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Reconstruction Era but many more recent historical events. It sheds light on stories that were left untold for generations in more traditional historical narratives, and it invites understanding through compelling exhibits, interactive displays, and historical artifacts.
When to Visit: Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available online.
Link to the Smithsonian Magazine HERE to read the full article.
