Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Charleston's African American heritage
- Visit historic sites like the Old Slave Mart Museum
- Learn about the Gullah culture and language
- Discover the history of the Denmark Vesey Rebellion
- Hear stories of resilience and triumph from local historians
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided walking tour led by knowledgeable local historians
- Visit to significant African American landmarks in Charleston
- Insightful narratives about Charleston's rich Black history
- Transportation to and from the tour starting point
Itinerary
Pass by: "IF THESE STREETS COULD TALK..." and now they will. Author, historian, educator and licensed tour guide, Damon Fordham combines his powerful blend of artful storytelling with solid historical and personal perspective.
Visit sites starting with the Charleston City Market, a historic marketplace located in downtown Charleston. Then, head on to Jehu Jones Hotel, Catfish Row (of Porgy and Bess fame).
Pass by the Heyward-Washington House which belonged to Thomas Heyward Jr., a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Old Slave Mart Museum is the building that once held slave auction galleries, located in downtown Charleston.
See and hear about lesser known places where heroes and heroines made history...but missed the history books. Walk the path from slavery through Reconstruction to civil rights. End by walking along the beautiful Charleston Harbor through Waterfront Park. Discover the forgotten stories of black Charleston on this captivating walking tour.
Meeting point
Start Location
Buxton Books, King Street, Charleston, SC, USA
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates rain or shine; please check the weather forecast and dress accordingly
- Photography is allowed, but please be respectful of the sites and other participants
- The tour is conducted in English; please ensure you understand the language before booking
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour
- Arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes early to ensure a timely departure
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
Good to know
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Traveler reviews
Gain knowledge
Intimate tour with a very knowledgeable tour guide! Highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn history .
Lost Stories of Black Charleston - don't miss it!
I loved this walking tour. Our guide, Damon Fordham, is extremely knowledgable of the Charleston history. Charleston is a beautiful old city with a lot of history, and I really appreciated Damon's perspective, Black history. Do yourself a favor and take this educational walk.
History lesson of Charleston and the contribution of African Americans
Wear comfortable shoes. Damon Fordham was our tour guide and he is a wealth of knowledge. He provides an accurate depiction of the history that African Americans played in Charleston and how some of that influence actions nationwide. Charleston played a huge role in American history from the revolution to the civil rights activity. Mr. Fordham articulate that splendidly.
A Black Perspective on the History of Charleston
We met @ Buxton Bookstore were Damon met us to start our tour. We did have to wait a few minutes for others to catch up, but still completed the tour on time. Damon Fordham has a rich background in the Gullah culture both as a descendent and professor, having written a number of books on the subject. His stories, factual recollections and writings were something you won’t find on a typical tour. Very enlightening and entertaining. At the end of the tour he signed copies of his books for those who were interested. Very well done
Very informative. Damon...
Very informative. Damon has so much knowledge on Charleston history and hearing is personal experiences as well as history facts make this tour well worth it!