Fort Sumter National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

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.

		Fort Moultrie 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...

Limited accessibility to Fort Sumter

The ramping system for the Fort Sumter ferry departing from downtown Charleston is currently out of service. Disabled visitors should plan on a low tide departure using a manual wheelchair.
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Painting Closures

The interior of the following facilities are scheduled for painting. Half of each facility will be closed to visitors during this project and visitors can expect an odor of paint.

Week of July 21 -- the Fort Sumter Museum (located at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor).
July 28-August 5 -- the Fort Sumter Visitor Center (located on Concord Street in Charleston).

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.