The Old Slave Mart Museum has operated sporadically since 1938. It is often incorrectly called the Charleston Slave Market Museum or the Old Slave Market Museum.
The Old Slave Mart Museum is the first African-American slave museum. It is often staffed by individuals who trace their history to the enslaved people of Charleston. At one point during slavery, as many as 35-40% of enslaved people entered the United States through Charleston.
In addition to the staff, the building evokes a sense of discomfort from the past. There is a lot to learn. There is an interview with a former enslaved person. Don’t expect the inside to look the same as it did when people were sold there. To maximize your trip to this museum, plan to spend at least an hour reading the informative posters and taking in the environment. Due to the extensive reading, this slave museum is often not engaging for children.
If you are looking for artifacts and items from the slave trade, you will be disappointed. The museum has some artifacts, but not as many as some visitors had hoped for.
History of Slave Mart Museum
Thomas Ryan owned Ryan’s Mart, which later became the Old Slave Mart. It is located between Chalmers and Queen Streets. The museum was built in 1859 and is considered the last surviving slave auction gallery in South Carolina. It was used briefly before the Civil War ended all slavery in the South. It has been reported that all enslaved people were freed before the end of the war when Union troops occupied Charleston. In 1975, the Old Slave Mart was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its significant role in Charleston’s African American history. Today, the building is home to the Old Slave Mart Museum. This museum is often referred to as the Slave Market Museum. The confusion around the “slave mart” and the “slave market” led many to believe that the Charleston City Market is where enslaved people were sold.
The International African-American Museum in Charleston is a place you must visit. One important fact is that you must have a reservation to visit. Click the image below to learn more.
International African American Museum, Charleston, SC
The International African American Museum can only be visited with a scheduled appointment. Please visit the unofficial informational site here: http://africanamericanmuseumcharleston.com/
The Angel Oak Tree is a must-see (30 min from Charleston)
