Powder Magazine

This 300 year old structure may be small, but it has big historical significance. From 1713 to 1770, and also for a period of time during the American Revolution, the Powder Magazine was used to store loose gunpowder in the old walled city of Charleston, South Carolina. It was also used throughout the 18th and 19th centuries as a stable, wine cellar and a print shop. The restored structure, a National Historic Landmark, now serves as a museum showcasing Charleston’s rich colonial and Revolutionary War history.

Carolina’s Oldest Public Building

The English walled city of “Charles Town” was heavily fortified against enemy invasion in the early 1700s, with dozens of cannons lining the waterfront and military outposts protecting the city. A military storage area was necessary and an arsenal for gunpowder was constructed by 1713. The sturdy Powder Magazine features walls that are three feet thick, and arches that would implode rather than explode should the building come under attack from enemy fire. This design protected the area from the possibility of spreading fire and destruction.

Visiting the Powder Magazine

Located at 79 Cumberland Street, the Powder Magazine is part of the concentration of cultural sites that make up Charleston, South Carolina’s celebrated Museum Mile. The museum is staffed with tour guides in period dress that explain the history of the building and provide explanations of the exhibits. A gift shop is located onsite.

For more information call 843-722-9350

Click here to visit Powder Magazine official website