The Civil War Sesquicentennial Package

This profound period of our nation’s past is commemorated with deep respect and honor and ignites our quest for understanding the events that shaped not only our ancestors’ collective histories, but the very fiber of our American way of life.

Many significant events of the Civil War that led to the transformation of our country took place in the Charleston area and are easily accessible from our hotel.  Among the notable events are:

• South Carolina’s secession from the Union on December 20, 1860 at the Institution Hall Site, 340 Meeting St.
• April 12, 1861 bombardment of Fort Sumter
• 1863 to 1865 Siege of Charleston, which included the 54th Massachusetts assault on Battery Wagner
• H. L. Hunley submarine sinking of the Housatonic on February 17, 1864
• Re-raising of the US flag over Fort Sumter on April 14, 1865

Your package includes accommodations and two tickets per night

of your choice from the following:

Fort Sumter National Monument: This 2 hour and 15 minute tour consists of approximately 35 minutes of narration while cruising historic Charleston Harbor, 1 hour at Fort Sumter, and then 30 minutes of continued narration on the return trip. Boats leave from Liberty Square at Aquarium Wharf daily. Please visit http://www.spiritlinecruises.com/sumter_rates.asp for a complete schedule. 

Civil War & Slavery tour by Old Charleston Walking Tours: From the first shots at Fort Sumter to the fall of Charleston, this tour covers all the key events of the war in addition to many surprising insights. Perfect for both beginners and experts. This two hour walking tour leaves from Washington Square Park daily at 10:30 am.

The Charleston Museum: America's First Museum, founded in 1773. The Charleston Museum’s permanent City Under Siege: Charleston in the Civil War exhibit offers a rich overview of events in and around Charleston from secession to 1865. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 1am-5pm

Edmondston-Alston House: located at 21 East Battery, this house was constructed in 1825 and enhanced in 1838. From its piazza, General P. T. Beauregard watched the fierce bombardment of Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861, signaling the start of the Civil War. And on December 11 of the same year, the house gave refuge to General Robert E. Lee the night a wide-spreading fire threatened his safety in a Charleston hotel. A special exhibit titled Secessionists, Soldiers and Slaves: the Alston Family’s Civil War will run through 2015. Open Tue-Sat 10am – 4:30pm; Sun-Mon 1:00 pm-4:30pm.

Drayton Hall: c. 1738 America’s oldest unrestored plantation house open to the public and one of only three plantation homes on the Ashley River that survived the Civil War.  A National Trust historic site in nearly original condition located 9 miles northwest of downtown Charleston off Ashley River Road-SC Route 61scenic drive.  Open daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.