Over 940000 Visitors Came to Charleston Area National Park Sites in 2016

Date: March 16, 2017

Charles Pinckney NHS and Fort Sumter NM welcomed over 940,000 visitors in 2016. This year also marked the National Park Service Centennial. In 2016, 888,330 people came to Fort Sumter NM, an increase of 5.66% over 2015. For Charles Pinckney NHS, 53,184 visitors explored the park, which is an amazing 13.17% increase over the previous year.

“We anticipated more visitors in 2016 as the NPS celebrated its Centennial, and the final numbers were remarkable. While visitors came to the parks for a variety of reasons, all had an opportunity to be immersed in the history of this nation and gain an understanding of how we have been shaped by significant, historical events,” stated Superintendent Tim Stone. The park planned a wide array of programs and events to attract diverse audiences of all ages. Centennial programs and events included: the release of South Carolina’s America the Beautiful® quarter, featuring Fort Moultrie; numerous black powder demonstrations at Fort Sumter; a celebration of George Washington’s visit to Snee Farm; a Naturalization Ceremony on the grounds of the Charles Pinckney NHS; the Wings Across South Carolina Bird BioBlitz held at both Fort Moultrie and Charles Pinckney NHS; star-gazing programs at Fort Moultrie, and the 100^th birthday celebration held in August at all sites. All of these special programs and the launch of the FindYourPark/EncuentraTuParque with the National Park Foundation, helped increased visitor connections with their National Park sites during the NPS Centennial year.

For more information about visitation, please go to the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics web page at https://irma.nps.gov/Stats/.

Charles Pinckney National Historical Site is a 28-acre remnant of Charles Pinckney’s Snee Farm plantation, located at 1254 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC. Gorgeous grounds boast ornamental gardens, live oak, Spanish moss, and a half-mile loop trail. An 1828 low country cottage serves as the park’s visitor center and museum. Exhibits and a film tell the story of Charles Pinckney’s role as a drafter and signer of the US Constitution, and his leading role in the early development of South Carolina. Park entrance is free.

Fort Sumter is the site of the opening bombardment of the Civil War on April 12-13, 1861. Across the Charleston Harbor entrance is Fort Moultrie, best known for the patriot defeat of the British Navy on June 28, 1776 , one of the first decisive victories in the American Revolution. Combined, both forts showcase 171 years of seacoast defense. Fort Sumter is located in Charleston Harbor and is only accessible by boat. Concession-operated ferry boats depart daily from Liberty Square in Charleston, and from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. The Liberty Square departure point also houses the park’s primary visitor center and museum, and is located at 340 Concord Street in Charleston. For information on ferry departure schedules and prices, call Fort Sumter Tours, Inc. at [phone] or visit them online at www.fortsumtertours.com. Fort Moultrie is located at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island and is accessible by car.

Now entering its second century, the National Park Service continues to explore new ways to help visitors connect and find their parks. For more information on park news, events and programs, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FtSumterNPS, and www.facebook.com/PinckneyNPS. Visit the park websites at www.nps.gov/fosu and www.nps.gov/chpi, or call 843-883-3123. You can also share your park experience with others by posting on social media with the hashtag #FindYourPark or #EncuentraTuParque. Come find yours today!