News Release

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site to Resume Pre-Isaias Park Access

Date: August 4, 2020
Contact: Dawn Davis, 8432976051

SULLIVAN'S ISLAND, SC - Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site are resuming pre-Isaias park access and operating status.

Beginning at 12:00 pm on August 4, 2020, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie NHP will resume operations. The first concession-operated ferry trip to Fort Sumter will depart at 12:15 pm from Liberty Square. The following spaces will be available:

• Fort Sumter
• Ferry trips to the fort
• Liberty Square Visitor Education Center and outside grounds
• Grounds outside of Fort Moultrie
• Fort Moultrie dock

In addition, entry fees are suspended at Fort Moultrie. There is a concession fee for the ferry trip to Fort Sumter.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• Fort Sumter Museum
• Fort Moultrie
• Fort Moultrie Visitor Center

Beginning on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, Charles Pinckney NHS will resume operations Wednesday – Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday). The following spaces will be available:

• Outside grounds
• Restrooms

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• Historic house

 The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. Our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

For inquiries about the ferry service to Fort Sumter, please contact Fort Sumter Tours at 1-800-789-3678 or [e-mail].  

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on the parks’ websites. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

For Charles Pinckney National Historic Site visit www.nps.gov/chpi or follow the park on Facebook and Twitter.

For Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park visit www.nps.gov/fosu or follow the park on Facebook, and Twitter.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.