Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, SC
Historic Houses and Buildings

On this site has stood a public building central to the life of the city since Charles Towne was settled at its present location in 1680. Early settlers built a Court of Guard here, imprisoned pirates and Indians in the lower level and held town meetings in the hall upstairs. In 1771, during the Golden Age of Charles Towne, the British built the Exchange.

 

With its striking Palladian architecture, the Exchange dominated the harbor. It became the social, political and economic hub of the bustling 18th century port. From the Exchange steps, the independent colony of South Carolina was declared in March 1776. During the Revolution the building was converted to a British prison where many prominent patriots were held. In 1788, the convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution met in the Exchange. George Washington was entertained several times during his Southern tour. From 1818 until 1896, the building served both the federal and confederate governments as Charleston's Post Office. In 1917, the U.S. Congress deeded the building to the Daughters of the American Revolution of South Carolina.

 

During an excavation of the dungeon in 1965, part of the original seawall of Charles Towne was discovered. Leased to the state of SC by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Old Exchange is open as a museum with the Great Hall available for private events.