Charleston

The Battery

We traveled to Charleston, SC last week for a short vacation. We decided on Charleston because Kallsen has become fascinated with South Carolina history. Both boys had an amazing time. Both Sara and I believe it was well worth making this trip with Kallsen's interest in South Carolina History. My guess is he will always remember this trip and that it will help fuel further interest in history.

Our journey included visiting Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, the Hunley crew burial site and The Citadel.

Fort Maultrie

Fort Moultrie is the oldest fort, I think, in Charleston. It served South Carolina and the United States in the Revolutionary war, The War of 1812, the Civil War and the Spanish American War. It also saw some service in World War II.

Fort Moultrie is a self guided tour with an option of a 22 minute film that introduces the fort and talks about it's history. The cost is capped at $5 per family so if you travel to Charleston, this is an inexpensive side trip with some great history lessons.


Fort Sumter is out on a sand bar in the harbor and you need to take a ferry from Patriot's Point to Fort Sumter. The ferry ride includes rolling audio of the history of the fort and the wars it served the United States and the Confederacy. I learned quite a bit that I either wasn't aware of just didn't take into account.

Fort Sumter is very interesting giving it's location. I can't imagine being posted there during the height of battle in the extreme heat of summer or the cold of winter. The cost is quite a bit more than Fort Moultrie. I think the cost for our family was $58 for the ferry and tour of Fort Sumter.

Hunley Memorial at Burial Site

We had hoped to travel to see the Hunley but that isn't open to tours during the week so we visited the burial site of the crews of the Hunley. The Hunley is the first submarine to sink an enemy vessel in combat. The Hunley was actual sunk three different times. After being sunk it's third time, it wasn't recovered until the mid 1990s. The burial site is also the site of the last funeral for confederate soldiers. I can't say for certain but I think it the funeral was in 1996.