Last updated: 5/9/2011
1500 Old Towne RoadCharleston, SC 29407
| Daily | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
Adult $7.50
Youth (6-15) $3.50
SC Senior/Disabled $3.75
Child (5 and under) Free
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Rob Powell
phone: 843-852-4200
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Patrick Cook
phone: 843-852-4200
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John Hiatt
phone: 843-852-4200
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Jayson Sellers
phone: 843-852-4200
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Charles Towne Landing SHS has undergone a visionary and physical redevelopment over the last 10 years. The physical redevelopment was highlighted in 2006 by the grand opening of a brand new exhibit hall and visitor center that tells the story of the first 10 years of the settlement of Charles Towne. As the first site of the original settlement of Charles Towne (Charleston), the site is an archaeological museum as well, with continuous excavations that slowly uncover clues to the first settlement's inhabitants. Animals that roamed Carolina at the time of English settlement are highlighted in the Animal Forest zoo. A new otter habitat opened to the public in April 2011. The Legare Waring House and fabulous Founders Hall, opened in 2009, are available for conference and wedding rentals. Visit www.lowcountryparkvenues.com for more information.
To protect and preserve the first permanent European settlement in the Carolinas, to interpret the significant cultural and natural resources, and to promote stewardship through educational programs and services that focus on the period 1670-1680.
The site was opened to the public in 1970 as the Tricentennial Commission site, Charles Towne Landing 1670, celebrating the first 100 years of South Carolina's history. It was transferred to the SC State Park Service in 1972 and continues under that agency today. It was a highly regarded site for many years for its underground museum and living history program. The site suffered damage from Hurricane Hugo in 1989, and the underground museum closed permanently to the public. Attendance fell during the 1990s and a new vision of what the site's historical significance should focus on began to develop. After a brief closure of the site for heavy construction in the spring of 2006, the new vision became reality with the grand re-opening on August 17, 2006. The site mission now focuses on the first ten years of the settlement of Charles Towne, ending with the official move of government over to Oyster Point, the penisula of Charleston.
Artifacts from the first settlement of Charles Towne are continuously being uncovered. To date, various metal implements and household items (pins, scissors, thimbles, handles, marble and others), pottery, ceramics, coins, military wares, food remains, and features in the soil are some of the artifacts on display and in the collection.
Research comes from a collection of first hand accounts gathered and compiled into a book called "The Shaftesbury Papers" by Cheves. Other accounts are from colonial records at state and local archives. On-going research for new sources continues.
Discover Carolina programs are standards based educational programs for 3rd and 8th grade.
Other school opportunities included ranger guided tours, self-guided tours and an audio tour. These must be scheduled in advance.
Daily tours for general visitors are offered, schedules vary by season. Saturday and Sunday programs are offered March through November and include a historic cannon demonstration on the third Saturday of the month.
Special events are also held. Founders Day is in April. It includes period reenactors depicting military drills, cooking demonstrations, special tours and more. Colonial Trades & Harvest Day celebrates the connection that the first settlers had with the island of Barbados and its influence on the settlement .
SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism; SC State Park Service
Newsletter goes out to the friends group, Charles Towne Foundation, on a monthly basis.
Annual Special events calendar.
Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
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