News
Charleston, S.C. Celebrates Black History Month with Special Events, Tours and Festivities
01/25/2010
During the month of February, nationally recognized as Black History Month, Charleston, S.C. will honor African-American history and culture. All month long, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich sights, sounds and food of South Carolina’s famed Lowcountry region. They can learn about the area’s Gullah heritage, recognized for preserving the African linguistic and cultural traditions more than any other African-American community in the U.S., or partake in centuries-old practices such as sweetgrass basket-making.
While Charleston’s African-American history can be appreciated year-round in museums and historic walking tours, Black History Month also ushers in special events that travelers of all ages can enjoy. For a complete listing of Charleston attractions, special events, lodging and packages, please visit www.explorecharleston.com.
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site:
This historic site was established to interpret Charles Pinckney's plantation, Snee Farm, his role in the development of the U.S. Constitution, and the transition of the U.S. from a group of colonies to a nation. Interpretive exhibits highlight these areas as well as the influences of African Americans in the development of Snee Farm. A series of free cultural programs will take place every Saturday at 2pm during February and March 2010. These Gullah programs include craft demonstrations, cooking, African drumming and story-telling and other musical performances. For more information, call 843.881.5516 or visit http://www.nps.gov/chpi.
Charleston Museum
On February 18, the museum will host a workshop titled “Sweetgrass Baskets: Hands-On History Workshop.” Visitors will have the chance to admire and purchase artisans’ work as they learn how sweetgrass basket-making was and is still done during the workshop. For additional details, call 843.722.2996
Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture
The Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture is part of the College of Charleston and was established in 1985 to serve as a source for community outreach for African American affairs. The Avery Research Center collects, preserves, and makes public the unique historical and cultural heritage of African Americans in South Carolina and the Lowcountry. Tours are available Monday – Saturday. For general information, call 843.953.7609
Old Slave Mart Museum
First constructed in 1859, the building now serves as a museum for African American history, arts and crafts and is the only known South Carolina building still standing that is a former slave auction gallery. This historical treasure is now a museum that documents the story of the trans-Atlantic slave trade between the 15th and early 19th centuries. The Old Slave Mart Museum is open Monday – Saturday. For more information, 843.958.6467
Tours
A wide array or tours are available throughout Charleston that explore the region’s rich African-American history. Sampling of tours:
• Gullah Tours – Offers visitors the chance to explore the places, history and stories relevant to the wide-ranging contributions made by Charleston’s African American community. The Gullah language is also introduced and featured during much of the tour. www.Gullahtours.com
• Sites & Insights Tours – Visitors can explore the Gullah / Geechee culture from an African American perspective stopping at sites such as Emanuel AME Church, Catfish Row, City Market and many others, during the motorized tour departing from the Charleston Visitor Center. www.Sitesandinsightstours.com
The mission of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area as an individual, meeting, incentive and group destination to both the domestic and international markets. For more information, visit www.explorecharleston.com
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