The Charleston Slavery and Freedom Walking Tour has been offered by Charleston Old Wall City Tours since 20O8. It is one of two walking tours of downtown Charleston which take you to the sites and the buildings important to slavery in South Carolina in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is unique in that unlike any other tour in the city, we discuss the workings of the industrial slave trade, the parties, and institutions that created and thrived on it, the horrors of the Middle Passage, grading and pricing, and how enslaved persons were sold at auction. African American history of slavery is concisely discussed from its origins in Africa, right up to the Civil Rights movement. Over two hours the group tours Charleston, while walking in a format that is short and appropriate for young and old alike. ending close to where we start. It is offered. Monday through Sunday at 9:30. To book this Charleston walking tour, go to www.walledcitytours.com/tours
Last week I went with a friend to the brand-new International African American Museum on the Charleston Waterfront. It sits on a highly symbolic sight, The very sight where 40,000 enslaved Africans were brought into the port of Charleston in 1806 and 18O7. It has a panoramic view looking out over Charleston Harbor at the Atlantic Ocean. It is easy to imagine the enslaved at that dock gazing out over the very same view and longing for the homeland.
I have a very solid grasp of African American history in South Carolina, a large part of which is the slave trade. The IAAM is doing an excellent job of presenting the topic accurately in a way that engages people from all walks of life. I have to say that even though I was there for two and a half hours with a friend, I will have to go back probably twice to take it all in. It is a must-see In Charleston for locals and visitors alike. And I am not alone in that conclusion. To make sure you can get into the museum, buy tickets in advance so you are not turned away at the door. Go to www.iaamuseum.org/plan-your-visit.