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
Damon is a wonderful...
Damon is a wonderful guide with an astounding knowledge of Charleston’s Black History. Highly recommend this tour!
Incredible
Wow! This tour is incredible and I could not have been more impressed. The tour guide Damon was amazing and gave great details about the city of Charleston. Highly highly recommend
Great experience! Highly recommend!
Outstanding tour. Damon is mesmerizing to listen to and knows his subject matter inside and out. He brings the gripping realities and joyful triumphs of Charleston’s history to life, often reenacting snippets of powerful speeches and sermons. I learned new things and learned to think about things in new ways. Great experience. Highly recommend! Make sure you used the bug spray they offer.
Impressive
The tour exceeded our expectations. Mr Fordham was extremely knowledgeable in our topics of interest, personable, engaged and concerned for our overall comfort. His musical inclusion and voices were an added plus. We will definitely recommend to others.
This activity was...
This activity was recommended in the NYT 36 hours in Charleston SC. It was a humbling experience learning about the lost stories, the more I learn the more I know I don’t know! Damon is an entertainer and a wonderful storyteller, I recommend doing this on day 1 to make strolling around downtown meaningful AND engaging! The only issue I had was booking through viator it did not allow me to book for a solo traveler so I had to pay for two instead of one!