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All across the nation, the National Park Service is celebrating its Centennial Year with special events at its parks nationwide. In Charleston, SC we have three National Park sites including Fort Sumter National Monument, Fort Moultrie, and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site.  The Battle of Fort Sumter on April 12 1861 was the first battle …

Charleston Walking Tours – National Park Service Centennial Celebrations Read More »

Christmas in Charleston is a special time of year! In a city where old traditions persist, it is a city of Holiday gatherings, festoons and greenery, old china and Grandma’s pound cake. Celebrations have evolved through the Years. Christmas trees were a novelty in the 1850s, and Christmas Pie (today we know it as “Mince …

Charleston Tours – Christmas in Charleston 1860 Read More »

When visitors tour Charleston, there is always an interest in our beautiful South Carolina state flag. On my Charleston walking tours, I always point out the flag and use it as a teaching tool. Its Palmetto tree and crescent moon look like a designer logo welcoming visitors to beautiful sandy beaches and nights with dreamy …

Charleston Tours and That Crescent on the State Flag –What’s That All About? Read More »

Edward Teach aka Blackbeard Charleston is a city of memory. Through its many years  the city has experienced a rich confluence of wars, pestilence and flood. This has created a rich tapestry of lore and legend. One such legend was  related to me by an old Charleston dowager named Adeline. My good friend Dan lived …

Charleston Ghost Tours — A Spooky Tale Just in Time for Halloween! Read More »

  The Confederate Battle Flag  at the Confederate Monument in Columbia has been a source of contention since its first placement atop the State House dome in 1962. Perhaps a little history on the flag itself is in order.   Sad events in Charleston South Carolina have created the impetus to remove the flag once …

The History Behind the Confederate Flag Read More »

What could be more beautiful than springtime in Charleston? It’s nothing new, you know. People have been coming to Charleston for the high spring bloom for nigh 150 years, when Reverend Drayton opened  the Gardens at Magnolia Plantation to the public. Charlestonians have been in love with ornamental gardening for many more years than that. It …

Charleston House and Garden Tours – Springtime in Charleston! Read More »

On my Charleston Walking Tours I have been emphasizing Sherman’s March this month. After leaving Savannah Georgia in mid January, he systematically burnt his way through South Carolina, leaving a swath of destruction and misery 40 miles wide. He was virtually unopposed until he attempted to cross the swampy Salkehatchie River. After a few days …

Tour Charleston SC — It was 150 Years Ago This Week That Sherman Burnt Out My Family Read More »

Here is a great music video designed to inspire you, gentle reader,  to come visit Charleston! So many things to see and do! We’re about done with the sultry dog days of  summer, and one of Charleston’s best kept secrets is that September is wonderful weather and the city is empty! Eventsin September include Charleston Restaurant Week …

How We Love Charleston!! Come See Us! Read More »

This past Thursday night I attended the Preservation Society of Charleston’s Annual Carolopolis Awards Presentation at the old Riviera Theater on King Street. For those of you not familiar with the Preservation Society, it was founded in 1920 and pioneered the modern preservation movement in Charleston. I hate that I forgot my printed program at …

Preservation Society of Charleston Annual Awards Program Read More »