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Fort Sumter National Monument33-star United States flag from Fort Sumter
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Fort Sumter National Monument
Fort Moultrie Visitor Center Museum Exhibits
Fort Moultrie was well situated to guard Charleston Harbor. Because of shoals at the harbor entrance, ships were forced to enter the harbor from the south and sail toward the fort on Sullivans Island. In this position, they could not fire on the fort until they turned into the harbor. By the mid-19th century, Fort Sumter added its firepower to keep ships out of the harbor. Since Moultrie was in continuous use by the Army for coastal defense for 171 years, it has played an important role in the nation’s history. Please use the links to the museum exhibits to learn more about Fort Moultrie during these important events.

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Fort Sumter as seen from the water.  

Did You Know?
Fort Sumter's island was constructed with a foundation of over 70,000 tons of granite and other rock. For over a decade contractors from as far away as New York and the Boston area delivered this material by ship and dumped it on a shoal in Charleston Harbor. Fort Sumter National Monument, SC

Last Updated: July 16, 2009 at 09:26 EST