Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

Two forts stand at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Patriots inside a palmetto log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, defeated the Royal Navy in 1776. As Charleston blazed a path towards secession to preserve slavery, construction on a new fort, Fort Sumter, proceeded. The Confederacy fired on the US garrison of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861 opening the Civil War, which redefined American freedom.

Fort Moultrie

Fort Moultrie spans 171 years from 1776-1947

A row of cannon with Fort Moultrie in the background. A US flag is flying in the fort.

Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter is located on an island in Charleston Harbor and is only accessible by boat.

Fort Sumter with a US flag flying above the fort with dock in the foreground

Fort Sumter Cannon

Fort Sumter cannon sitting on cannon carriage under a brick casemate

Civil War cannon sitting on carriage pointing towards firing hole in brick wall

Inside Fort Moultrie Today

Interior View of Fort Moultrie featuring the World War II signal light with grass hills and black concrete gun bateries

Center of image is round metal and glass signal light with grassy hills hills in background

Fort Sumter Visitor Center

The Fort Sumter Visitor Center is the primary departure point for the ferries to Fort Sumter.

A three-story brick structure with a staircase in front and water in the background