“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.
Video
In 1685, John Thurber, a pirate, inadvertently introduced rice to America. After a storm damaged his ship, he stopped in Charleston, SC, where he met Dr. Henry Woodward. In exchange for assistance...
Video
Discover the history of Hoppin' John, a beloved dish that's graced holiday tables since the 1800s. This simple yet delicious combo of peas, pork, and rice is believed to bring luck and peace for the...
Video
Did you know that a Black sailor once served on the ill-fated Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley? Shortly after the Hunley's arrival in Charleston, South Carolina, Lieutenant John Payne of the...
Video
American author Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. Poe solidified his legacy as master of the gothic and macabre with his poems and short stories, and was one of...
Video
Learn about the hospital strike in Charleston, SC, where hospital workers - predominantly Black women fought for fair pay and better working conditions. Coretta Scott King, wife of the late Dr. Martin...
Video
Kids On Point, located in Charleston, works in direct partnership with institutions of public education to extend, support, and enhance classroom learning by addressing 3rd-12th grade students’...
Video
The first segment of The World of Cecil: Part Two focuses on a labor strike in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1969, where hospital workers, predominantly Black women, were fighting for fair pay and...
Video
Born into a free black family during Reconstruction, the Rollin sisters played a pivotal role in advancing women's suffrage in South Carolina. Frances, Lottie, and Louisa were prominent activists...
Video
Rainbow Row is a highly popular tourist attraction located in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina. Although the buildings look bright and new, these houses date all the way back to the 1700’s...
Video
The adventures and exploits of pirates and buccaneers have long captured our imaginations. These sea bandits roved the ocean lanes in all parts of the world, from the waters off Africa and Europe and...
