Charleston TourPass
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The Old Slave Mart Museum, located at 6 Chalmers St., recounts the story of Charleston’s role in this inter-state slave trade by focusing on the history of this particular building and site and the slave sales that occurred here.
History of The Old Slave Mart
The 1808 ban on the United States’ participation in the international slave trade led to a renewed demand for slave labor, which was satisfied, in part, by the creation of a domestic slave-trading system in which Charleston functioned as a major slave collecting and reselling center. The Old Slave Mart Museum, located at 6 Chalmers St., recounts the story of Charleston’s role in this inter-state slave trade by focusing on the history of this particular building and site and the slave sales that occurred here. In the seven decades between the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and the Civil War, more than one million American-born slaves were sold away from plantations in the upper South to work the rapidly expanding cotton and sugar plantations in the lower South.
In Charleston, enslaved African Americans were customarily sold on the north side of the Old Exchange Building. An 1856 city ordinance prohibited this practice of public sales, resulting in the opening of the Old Slave Mart and a number of other sales rooms, yards, or marts along Chalmers, State and Queen Streets. Other Uses Possibly the only known building used as a slave auction gallery in South Carolina still in existence, the Old Slave Mart was once part of a complex of buildings known as Ryan’s Mart that occupied the land between Chalmers and Queen Streets. The complex consisted of a yard enclosed by a brick wall and contained three additional buildings: a four-story brick building partially containing a “barracoon,” or slave jail, a kitchen, and a “dead house,” or morgue. More Recently
Slave auctions at the Old Slave Mart ended in November 1863. The property changed hands many times after the Civil War, and between 1878 and 1937 the building was used as a Negro tenement and as an auto repair shop. In 1938 Miriam B. Wilson purchased the building, which by then, had come to be known locally as the Old Slave Mart, and established a museum featuring African and African-American arts and crafts.
Judith Wragg Chase and Louise Wragg Graves took over the Old Slave Mart in 1964, placed it on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and operated it until its closure in 1987. Recognizing the significant importance the institution of slavery has had in Charleston’s history, the City of Charleston acquired the property in 1988.
Metered street parking is limited.
Nearest Parking Garage: 25 Prioleau Street, Charleston SC.
Free DASH Trolley: Green Line (Route 211): Get off at Broad & Church Streets.
See map below for address
We got the 4 day pass and spent 1 full week in Charelston. We scheduled 4 featured tours for each night/day and filled in the rest of the time with the amazing standard tours. It made our stay a great time. I recommend this pass.
We live in Jacksonville and regularly in St. Augustine for day trips or long weekends. Tour Pass was fantastic to use during a recent long weekend visit. We booked the two-day pass to take advantage of our favorite attractions with the added benefit of trying some new things we had not visited in the MANY trips to the Old City. Unfortunately, a hurricane forced the closure of many attractions in the middle of the day on Day 2 but an email to Tour Pass was quickly responded to and offered a great solution. We loved the opportunity to revisit some attractions we had seen before and were excited to experience some for the first time. We could squeeze in quite a few in the one and a half days . We were looking forward to using Tour Pass on our next visit to Savannah!
The tour pass was awesome! We had so much to do and it was very easy and convenient to use. Definitely worth purchasing. You really end up saving money. I wish they would have more than three days max. I would definitely purchase more days. It was a wonderful trip!
Tour guide was very knowledgeable! Pass was a great savings and allowed us to do a lot more things.
Tour Pass was very convenient. Places had my name when I arrived. Didn't have to buy tickets
Just showed my passed and I was in. Got alot for the money. I bought 3 day pass. Used it those 3 days in Charleston.
Me and my besties took advantage of the one day pass! Wow did we get our money’s worth! We didn’t get to do everything, but out of the stops we did visit, really worth the price!! I def recommend! Probs would do it again too!! Ha! Loved it, and such a great time visiting St. Auggie! ;)
While my spouse was attending a 2 Day conference in Savannah, I was able to explore this beautiful city on my own and it started with Tour Pass! For my first day in Savannah, I chose to purchase a Hop On/Hop Off 1 Day pass and that allowed me a way to familiarize myself with the city so that I could find my way on foot the following day with ease. I couldn't recommend Tour Pass more! From the very first stop, every person I interacted with that worked for the Trolley tour, I felt comfortable and was thoroughly entertained by all of the stories and sights. Southern hospitality is very real and genuine in Savannah, and I was welcomed to the city, given a narrated historical tour throughout the time I spent on the trolley and felt that I could easily navigate this tour on my own when I got off at each stop. There were three people I'd like to mention that were superior in their customer service and they were Bunny (Trolley Stand Customer Service), Tony ( a Trolley Driver) and Cat (Ticket collector). Thank you for helping a tourist felt welcomed and safe, too!
My family recently visited Charleston and the Tour Pass was the way to go! We chose the Carriage Ride, an absolute must! The Walking Ghost Tour was creepy for sure, but very entertaining and Fort Sumter was pretty cool also. We loved taking advantage of the Standard Features as well, enjoying free donuts and dole whip and the Fun Park was a highlight of the trip as well. The merchants were very friendly and happy to honor our pass. I wouldn’t go to Charleston again without taking advantage of the TourPass. 10 out 10!
Purchased the TourPass online in advance of our trip. We selected a two day pass which included 3 premium selections and as many standard selections we could fit in.
Slick, slick, slick! The premium tours tell you how many spots are available which made it easy to know if you have time to choose or pick right away. Once selected you just go at the appointed time and tell the provider you are using tourpass. Your name is on their list! Worked flawlessly!
The Standard tours is just as simple. You go, tell them you have tourpass, you click a button, the provider gives you a code which you type in and click submitt. That's it! Enjoy!
This system works great and is a savings. Makes scheduling your vist EZPZ!
If you're on the fence, buy it!
We toured Savannah February 24-March 2 and the Tour Pass was a worthwhile expenditure! We saved a bundle and visited many sites and venues that we probably wouldn’t have with the pass.
We really enjoyed using tour pass! We did the carriage ride through Charleston and then the Harbor Cruise. So fun and great value too!
Our favorite driver was Richard. He was very personable and able to make the group chuckle at his jokes. He answered questions and maneuvered the streets like a true pro.
The tour pass made it exceptionally easy to book and attend the many tours Savannah has to offer
2 Day Tour Pass is the best option for you to see everything and the Museums.
I would suggest you read about how to use the App and call the 800 # number for help. I called the 800 # for help and they are very helpful with all the information I needed.
We rode the Old Town Trolley for 2 days and BYOB Boat Ride from Vilano Beach and several museums.
I will be using Tour Pass again.
I visit St Augustine every year.
Thanks to Tour Pass I had a great time.
While Tourpass couldn't control the weather in Savannah Memorial weekend we managed to do just a few things and your app was super easy and user friendly! Will highly recommend to everyone!
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