Skip to SearchSkip to NavigationSkip to BodySkip to Footer
National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Fort Sumter National MonumentSumter ruins
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly

QUICKLINKS:

Where The American Civil War Began

Decades of growing strife between North and South erupted in civil war on April 12, 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire on this Federal fort in Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter surrendered 34 hours later. Union forces would try for nearly four years to take it back.
 
Ranger station symbol

Restrooms and Water Not Available at Fort Sumter

Restrooms and water are currently unavailable at Fort Sumter. The site's restrooms are being expanded and made more accessible. Work began on September 29, 2009 and is expected to take up to 150 days to complete.

While both restrooms and water are available on board the ferry boats, fully accessible facilities are only available at the departure locations in Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we complete this very important project.

 
Fort Moultrie with a cannon in the foreground.

New Museum Exhibit at Fort Moultrie Visitor Center

Fort Moultrie is a unit of Fort Sumter National Monument. The site is located on Sullivan's Island and is accessible by car. Learn about 171 years of American seacoast defenses.
more...

 
Man in Revolutionary War uniform firing a musket.

2009 Special Events

Join us for these special events:

  • Free Weekends at Fort Moultrie: June 20-21, July 18-19, August 15-16
  • Carolina Day Celebration at Fort Moultrie, June 27-28
  • 246th Army Band Concert at the Fort Sumter Visitor Center, June 29 at 7:00 p.m.
  • 246th Army Band Concert at Fort Moultrie, June 30 at 7:00 p.m.
  • The 54th Massachussetts and the assault of Battery Wagner, July 18, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
  • National Lighthouse Day event at the U.S. Coast Guard Historic District on Sullivan's Island, August 8, 10:00-2:00.
  • National Parks Documentary Film Screening, September 26, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Fort Moultrie Visitor Center.
  • Soldiers Through Time at Fort Moultrie, Friday & Saturday, October 2-3, 10:00-4:00
  • Edgar Allan Poe: Back from the Grave at Fort Moultrie, Friday & Saturday, October 9-10. Times vary.
  • Sullivan's Island Lighthouse Open House, Sunday, November 8, 1:00-5:00 p.m.

more...
 
 

Write to

1214 Middle Street
Sullivan's Island, SC 29482

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information & Park Headquarters
(843) 883-3123

Fax

(843) 883-3910

Climate

Summers are generally hot and humid. Brief showers and thunderstorms are normal, especially in the afternoon. Spring and fall are temperate. Winters may be cool and damp with occasional periods below freezing. Snow is unlikely.
Skip to SearchSkip to NavigationSkip to BodySkip to Footer
42-pounder cannon, Model 1845, at Fort Sumter  

Did You Know?
The first Union shot of the Civil War was fired by Captain Abner Doubleday. He was the second senior officer at Fort Sumter, under Major Robert Anderson. Fort Sumter National Monument, SC

Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: October 20, 2009 at 13:55 EST