C.S.S. H.L. Hunley Submarine

This was an incredible story behind the first submarine, Hunley. It gives an in-depth view of the recovery of a very iconic vessel.

I was looking to kill time in North Charleston and saw this was near the music festival I attended. I enjoyed touring Fort Sumter and other historical places in the area so I figured I’d check this out. The submarine, story behind it, and how they recovered it was very cool. I just can’t get over the rest of the displays, especially at the end. They called the men tho died “heroes”. These traitorous racists are not heroes. The $18 admission was already pretty steep to view something that killed good men who were fighting for America. The losers who died in the submarine were by no definition heroes. I left the museum disgusted. I’m all for preserving history and displaying it for future generations to learn from, but do not refer to anyone from the confederacy a hero. The Union Forever!!!

I believe that anyone who likes and understands history would really enjoy the absolutely genius design of this early submarine. There are also many artifacts of the brave men who died trying to break the blockade starving the civilians of Charleston. Actually the Hunley was privately built and funded and was never commissioned into any navy.

Me and my wife decided to see the Hunley on are way down to Florida. We did not know it was only open on Saturday and Sunday and closes at 5 pm. We were just passing by. After a delay on the the interstate we made it at 4:10 pm. They still charged full price even though they were not showing any of films. They basically said oh well, I should of got there sooner. The attraction was setup nicely and the display were knowledgeable. I give it 3 star because it is closed during the weekdays. It's a national treasure which should be available to all Americans. The museum is a 5 star.

Awesome, after living in Chas for 30 years I finally went and saw it with my Dad, Stepmom and my brother with his family, minus one of my nephews. I'm so glad we went!!

We did the Hunley and Fort Sumter in same day. A great piece of history right there near the Navy yard. I would recommend seeking out the Friends of the Hunley docents and hearing them present. Great insight into the theories around why and what happened to the Hunley after sinking the Housatonic. Take time to soak in the details of the Hunley when you see it and find Dixons coin.

Excellent displays, presentation, and discussions about the CSS Hunley Submarine. This is a must-see museum during a stay in Charleston.

I had a very good experience at this amazing museum. The person who gave me and the rest of my group a tour was very good. The submarine was really cool and all the cool artifacts that I got to see in the museum were really cool as well. I definitely recommend checking out this cool place.

I didn't really know what to except but am pleasantly surprised. Nice educational exhibit with some sprinkling of videos and talks. You can actually see the Hunley, too at the back of the building. Driving there you may think that you're in the wrong place but then you see the entrance. They have a nice gift shop too!

Second time here. Despite not much changing in the past couple of years, it's still a critical stop for anyone interested in military history. I'd encourage watching some of the live presentations as the volunteers are quite knowledgeable.

Great historical visit! You may feel like you are going to a foreign area as it is winding, desolate and on not the greatest roads but be on the lookout for the small, faded sign for the exhibit. Small parking area. Upon entering you can read about the Hunley before entering the building main area. Enter, pay the entrance fee (military discount!), and enjoy the trip! The inside is well organized, large and informative. Friendly and helpful staff. Very educational. Highly recommend for all ages.

What a historical jewel the Hunley exhibit is for the Charleston area! The entire facility is very informative and interesting. It covers in depth not only the historical aspects of the Henley, but also the amazing story of its discovery, salvaging, and restoration efforts. While you can spend as as much or little time touring the exhibit as you like, I found that about 2 hours is a good time to plan for. Unless of course you're a history nerd for civil war stuff like me, then I'd plan on 3 (or more) hours to really soak in all of the aspects of the Hunley.

Learned lots I never knew about subs and the Civil War. Followed up with my own research and found a great book that answered soooo many questions the visit caused and highly recommend anyone read it before or after going. It even explains the big question they pose about how the sailors died without ever leaving their seats. It's called In The Waves (by Rachel Lance) and it's a great, entertaining read. The museum (and book) are definitely worth it.

This. Was. My. Fav. Part. Of. Charleston!!!! Omg this museum was absolutely amazing. The staff is so nice. I am sooo glad I got to mark this off my bucket list!!! 5 stars!!! The Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley has the distinction of being the 1st submarine to sink an enemy warship in wartime, although the boat and its crew were lost as a result of this endeavor. Privately built in 1863 by Park and Lyons in Mobile, Alabama, with the financial backing of Horace Lawson Hunley, the submarine was constructed from rolled iron boiler plate with custom cast iron fittings. It was powered by a hand crank operated by a crew of 7, with an 8th member to pilot the boat. She was shipped by rail on 12 August 1863, to Charleston. Hunley (then referred to as the "fish boat", "fish torpedo boat", or the "porpoise") sank on 29 August 1863, during her 1st test run, killing 5 members of her crew. She sank again on 15 October 1863, killing all 8 of her 2nd crew, including Horace Lawson Hunley himself, even though he was not a member of the Confederate military. Both times Hunley was raised and returned to service. On 17 February 1864, the Confederate submarine approached USS Housatonic, a 16-gun, 1,240-ton sloop-of-war, on blockade duty 4 miles off the entrance to Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The Hunley carried a torpedo packed with explosive black powder bolted to a 16-foot spar. It rammed Housatonic below the water line, detonating the torpedo, tearing a hole in the Union ship's hull and sending her to the bottom along with 5 of her crew; however, the Hunley (and her 3rd crew consisting of 8 crewmen) was not seen again for over a century. In 1995, it was found by preservationists. It was raised in 2000 and taken to North Charleston's Warren Lasch Conservation Center, which had been constructed for the Hunley. The crewmen's remains were later removed for burial, and the submarine underwent extensive preservation work and research.

We spent a total of 2 hours visiting the Civil war Museum as well as the tour of the Hunley itself You can't see everything as the ship is still partially underwater as it is still undergoing the restoration process It is hard to believe that this small little boat along with its brave crew, was able to sink a boat back in the civil war days. It is hard to fathom the elation the crew 1st experience upon success, followed by the horror of being trapped and inhumed in the sub as it filled with Water The overall tour and stories told at the Museum were pretty amazing and really taught the wife and I a great deal. There is a replica that people can go into and sit behind the human cranks that give an idea of what it must have been like during this one and only battle this ship faced. The crew remains as well as artifacts have been. The Hunley crew buried, in the last funeral of the Confederacy at Magnolia Cemetery

Very nice museum. Everything was so nice, and available to see. The best part was seeing the actual hunley. Would define go again

This tour experience was notable for being the first place in a year where I walked into wearing a mask and was told specifically by the security guard that I didn't have to wear it. I could if I wanted, I was told. Yelp reviews aren't the place for a lengthy medical dialogue, but for myself, I was okay with going maskless and working through the psychological experience of being inside with other people. I suppose in a few years this review will read strangely, but the COVID era has been a strange time. The tour is only open on weekends and requires reservations. My tour started a bit before the time on my ticket and one can also wander through some exhibits beforehand, so definitely get there early. My tour guide emphasized the fact that the building's main purpose is as a workspace, not as a museum, which definitely is accurate. At present, you'll walk up some stairs and look down at the submarine from above immersed in a tank of water. There are some historical exhibits, including notably a coin that apparently deflected a bullet and saved the life of one of the men on board - and it sure looks like a coin that took a direct bullet hit. There are a few replica bits of the submarine that you can climb in, which were apparently build for a movie and are not to scale (they're actually bigger than the tiny metal tube that eight or so adult men somehow fit into), which is kind of a disappointment. The focus of the tour is narrowly on the boat itself and not much on the broader Civil War history, but it is interesting. The idea of stuffing one's self into a pre-industrial experimental submarine is mind-boggling. The propellor was literally powered by the men cranking it by hand. The only weapon was a single torpedo at the end of a stick. The thing sunk and killed a total of a dozen or so people inside it on two separate occasions before it even saw battle, at which point it victoriously sank a ship and then disappeared under circumstances that remain mysterious before being found over a century later and preserved in its present form. I don't have a strong opinion on the various theories of what happened to the crew, but the whole story is just bonkers. The submarine is apparently owned by the Navy (that is, the United States Navy, who claim it as spoils of war). The story emphasizes the fact that the submarine was built by profiteers, and it seems a far more profitable enterprise as a historical artifact than it ever was in practice. You'll likely see plenty of people from the contemporary U.S. armed forces visiting here, and the relationship this place and the people have to Civil War history and the broader American story is something I haven't really gotten my head around, despite living in the South for several years and giving a good faith effort to understand it. Commentary aside, the visitor experience here isn't amazing, but this thing is such a weird piece of history that I do think it's worth seeing for anyone who is on the fence about it. The tour and a little time before and after exploring is likely to run on the order of an hour and a half.

This is a great museum for adults and kids alike. You don't want to miss this piece of American history! The exhibits were very well done - easy to read and also interactive. You will need about an hour here to take it all in. Parking is free and there are an adequate number of spaces. The gift shop was quite nice with a fairly large selection of items. The only negative thing I have to say is that it is a bit hard to find - definitely need to use your GPS as there were no signs.

Extremely interesting story of a lesser known event in the Civil War. I have tried to visit this many times before, but it is closed during the week. I was able to visit during Veterans Day weekend and was definitely not disappointed. What an amazing find that keeps on teaching. My wife had no idea about this chapter in history, and typically hates museums. She was able to walk through without once scolding me that "this is taking too long." She even sat and listened to an expert (Jamie) speak about the night in question. Fascinating explanation exhibits and information. If you like obscure history, this is the one for you.

The HL Hunley is a must do whether you're a local or visitor to the Charleston area. A unique piece of national history from the Charleston area, the museum and tour is exceptionally well done and informative. The tour guide/docent was very knowledgeable and passionate about the HL Hunley and excited to share his knowledge. The museum walk through and tour took a little over an hour and was worth every minute. Excellent!!

First off, you can only see this site on the weekends, so plan accordingly. I would also buy tickets ahead of time, as space is limited. This is an active research and restoration site for a civil war confederate submarine. How many times can someone expect to see something like this?! They have a nice museum, then a tour guide leads you up to show you the submarine and discuss the history and the restoration. After having plenty of time to see the sub and snap photos, there is more discussion of theories about how the sub sank as well as interesting stories surrounding the crew. You can tell everyone on site is passionate about history and this project. Excellent opportunity to see something amazing and unimaginable.

This laboratory is a blessing, considering the discovery of the Hunley is very recent and that research is still being done on this vessel five days out of the week. The Hunley still keeps its secrets and we are trying to unmask this sub. Very good tour guides and nice public displays make this "museum" hybrid the most exciting exhibit in the country right now.

This is a hidden gem in North Charleston for sure. There are a lot of signs for the Hunley along the highway and the main road but even my traveling partner, who lives down the street, wasn't sure where it was! We paid our entrance fee (which really wasn't expensive, especially considering the amount of time and money they're putting into preservation and towards a new museum) and walked around the museum until our "tour" started. We were taken into the back room and were told the story of the Hunley before walking up the stairs to see it in the holding tank. Afterwards we saw some more artifacts, read stories on the wall, voted on how we thought it sank, and asked our tour guide so many questions he asked if we'd be interested in leading tours in the future. I truly cannot believe how cramped the interior of the sub was, and to think of how many people were in there! Crazy. This was an ideal way to spend a hot and humid afternoon. We followed it up with a drive through Magnolia Cemetery, just down the street, where the crews are buried.

The confederate sub Hunley sank a Union vessel off Charleston in 1864. The sub itself sank later that night for reasons unknown and was lost for over a century. It was raised in 2000 and resides in a tank of water where it is being cleaned and studied. The remains of the crew were found at their stations. After several years of forensic analysis, they were buried with military honors in Magnolia cemetery, near the Hunley. There are exhibits that describe the history of the sub, and some personal effects of the crew. The guide was very knowledgeable. This is a part of history that cannot be observed anywhere else in the world, and is well worth the time and cost.

It has been easily 15 years since we visited the Hunley. Wow! What a place this has become. We decided to check it out on a rainy day while in Charleston. First, the conservation efforts are amazing. Now that the National Geographic license is over, you can photograph the sub. The science behind the conservation is fascinating and the volunteers giving tours are knowledgeable. The museum portion is great as well. A concise history of the Civil War, Charleston, and the Hunley. The sections on the recovery may be the most interesting part. This is well worth a visit -rain or shine!

We planned this visit for our way back out of Charleston because it's pretty far off the beaten path. This was an enjoyable excursion and we learned a lot about the Hunley. Although I would not consider it a premiere attraction, I would definitely include it on a visit to the Charleston area. The displays are informative and the guide was quite good. We were in and out in about an hour.

This was my first visit to see the Hunley, and I was very impressed. The tour is simple yet very informative. Our guide knew a lot of the Hunley history, as he should, and was able to answer all questions that were tossed his way. The Hunley has been well preserved over the years, and the removal of concretion on the hull gives viewers an amazing glimpse in to Civil War maritime history. The self guided tour part of the building is full of information, which allowed my dad and I to really dive in (pun intended) to the facts behind the Hunley and her crew. Following our tour, I took my dad to Magnolia Cemetery, where the crew of the Hunley is buried. If you've never been, type it in to the GPS and make the 2 mile trek down the road. Mr Hunley himself is also buried there.

We had been to the Hunley with a large group of Cub Scouts in August of 2001. At that time it looked something like a Sea Cucumber in murky water.....to return was amazing! First thing is that they have made such improvements in the actual space, without losing the hands on approach that we still remembered 19 years ago.... Dr Lee, who has been "hands on " on the project from the beginning greets you and checks you in, sends you inside the museum where you are handed your tickets. Our guide was more than knowledgeable, and the ship itself is in the process of a remarkable restoration. There she sits, submerged upright in a crystal clear tank. Every rivet is visible, the details are remarkable. After the tour, we strolled through the museum, checked out the gift shop and were so motivated by the presentation that we became Friends of the Hunley....Nice to see this kind of energy and devotion.....talked to Dr Lee on the way out, he is an absolute font of knowledge about the Hunley! And talk to him about supporting the project....it is truly money well spent

This was an extremely interesting exhibit to visit if you are in Charleston. Amazing story, definitely worth a visit.

We loved our tour of the Hunley and relevant artifacts. I have a great appreciation for the time and effort put in to this museum by the conservationists. There was plenty of parking and enough to entertain kids and adults alike.

Notice sign and website closing time. We arrived at 3:30 PM on Saturday afternoon to be turned away. We were told they close at 3 PM although all of the signage and website say 5 PM. The volunteer working explained that they knew about this but could not get anyone to change it. We drove a long distance out of our way to get there. This was very disappointing especially to my 10-year-old son who was looking so forward to this.

Fascinating chapter at intersection of Civil War, submarines and modern warfare. The actual submarine, the Confederate H.L Hunley, is displayed in a giant water tank as historians and scientists study it while stabilizing it. Many artifacts, pictures, hands-on exhibits, and life-size displays tell its story. Six men in a narrow tube blow up a Yankee ship, sail away, but mysteriously perish under the waves... but no one knew why or where for over 100 years. Helpful guides add flavor during talks and discussions about the discovery and recovery as well as its storied history ... along with it's continued mysteries. Well worth it for Civil War and maritime aficionados.

Unfortunately our visit to Charleston did not include any weekend days, so we could not view this attraction. I communicated with staff several weeks prior to our visit, and was offered a private tour for $400. There was no real attempt to help us see the museum outside normal hours. The schedule seems strange to me; not a single weekday? I'm told there's a replica outside which can be seen while the museum is closed, but the location is inconveniently distant from downtown- too far to walk, not on a bus route, not worth the Uber ride to see a replica. We saw lots of history in all the other museums and Fort Sumter, all open on weekdays. Sorry to have missed this piece of history.

We did a noon tour on Sunday. We had tried for a Saturday afternoon but was sold out by noon. I would have liked to avoid online service fee but not sure how early the tours sell out for day. My 13 yr old son picked this and had been wanting to see sub for a while. Had a great guide. My 13 yo and 17 yo love science and history. The info could be over the head of some younger kids but perfect for tweens and up. The guided tour portion was 30 mins or less and then you're free to roam at leisure through public exhibits. Cameras and cell phones are allowed. There are also a few "hands on" exhibits so perfect for the kids that want to touch and feel things. If you have any interest in Civil War history it's a must see!

My wife and I would highly recommend that you visit the Hunley Conservation Laboratories during the weekend to be able to tour the facilities and learn about the Civil War Hunley! It is well worth your time.

I've seen a couple of history channel documentaries about the CSS Hunley but I was extremely happy to see her in person. But it is not as easy as you might think. They are only open on Sat-Sun. You should really purchase a ticket in advance b/c they only let in so many people per tour. Each tour lasts a mere 20 minutes. No cameras are allowed in the area with the sub. We were not told why, I can't imagine that camera flashes are going to harm the metal hull. You'll need a car to get out there or grab a taxi but you'd have to make arrangements to get back as there were no taxis waiting outside. It is located in a very run down part of the area that used to be the Charleston navy base. And no public transportation either. I do wish that they allowed more than 20 minutes per tour. There is so much to learn about the sub. You are not actually forced out of the sub area but you do have tour group after tour group filling in. I have to think that they are trying to maximize revenue and get as many people through there as possible. Some of the tour guides are ex-navy guys and are very friendly. Beyond seeing the sub in its water tank, you can also see the schnorkel, the boom that held the explosive charge that sank the USS Housatonic. It was the first sinking of a naval ship by a submersible ever. The next successful attempt was over 50 years later during WW One! Amazing. They have info on the crew and reconstructed wax heads depicting the third and last crew to die in the CSS Hunley. Very brave men fighting for many reasons, not just slavery. A very complex subject. But I could not help to notice that there were no blacks among the visitors. Who can blame them? Slavery was a major cause of the war. You also get to see the gold coin that had saved Lt Dixon at Shiloh as well as the two diamond rings that he had in his posession. As well as other objects found in the sub. They also have a mock up that you can get in but there was a chain preventing one from turning the crankshaft. Still, it gave you an idea of what it would be like. I learned many things like: there were three European (German) born crew members. The Union navy had fore warning of the attack from some confederate desserters so the USS Housatonic was able to get under way by a few meters almost making the CSS Hunley miss its target. I understand from the tour guide that in 5-6 years they will be opening a much bigger museum so that they can show off the many objects that they found in the sub but don't have the room to show now. I look forward to see that. The only unpleasant thing was our tour guide (Joan, I think) got off topic and started to describe her disdain for global warming theories. Believe what you want but such political discussion absolutely does NOT belong in part of a tour guide's work. I snagged a cool book on the Hunley and a cool t-shirt for the memories of such an interesting event in history.

While visiting Charleston consider taking about 1-2 hours out of your day and explore the Hunley museum and learn about the first submarine to sink a ship in combat. The mysteries and legends about this vessel are now coming to the light of day with the help of the researchers who work here. I'm a history buff and really enjoyed myself here. Tons of information and videos for those of you who want to take the time and learn about the history of the Hunley.

Very interesting exhibition. Our guide was awesome, but completely forgot his name, my bad. Really interesting part of our history. Plan for a two hour stay at most.

I'm giving this experience a 5 star review. I bought a Groupon for the Hunley Experience and tour and absolutely loved it. It's educational and interesting and there is something for everyone. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Hunley and you could tell that he was passionate about it! There is also a gift shop and a muesum to walk through, all which are included in the cost of entrance. I highly recommend a visit to the Hunley!

This was expensive! Too expensive to see the Hunley from above, behind glass! The guide was informative but I was so disappointed. I understand that it's sitting in something comparable to draino. I'm sure the fumes are strong. Still, you'd think they could've put it in a tank where you could see it at ground level. I regret coming here, just wasted time that I could've better spent elsewhere.

Well worth the visit whether you're a history buff or not. Even my 12yo understood the ambition and significance of the Hunley, and bravery of its crew. I wish the tour was longer than the 20 minutes allotted. I'd recommend buying your tickets online. Tours are only on the weekends and fill up quickly. The tours are led by volunteers, some were Navy veterans. While the submarine itself is impressive, the personal artifacts and stories of the crew bring her story to life. The only downside was that our tour guide talked too fast and his words ran into each other, which made it difficult to understand him. Thankfully the other exhibits in the warehouse give you the history, so I didn't feel completely lost. I look forward to when the Hunley will be housed in a permanent museum when the conservation is complete.

They have done such a GREAT job with informing people about the Hunley! The Hunley is only open on Saturdays and Sundays, which is kind of a bummer for locals, as it definitely gets quite crowded. That is the only negative thing I could say about the Hunley! The volunteers who give their time to educate the public are incredibly passionate and knowledgable. When they tell you the history of the Hunley, the story telling is so good that you actually feel like you are there! The Hunley is currently enclosed behind glass because it is in a solution that is potentially harmful to us humans, as it is trying to work down the concretion inside and outside of the sub. They say it will take another 5 years before this process will be finished! However, you can still see the Hunley, and the volunteers point out different parts of the sub with a laser pointer. The museum was not what I expected, at all. It is very interactive, and has a great flow. It isn't one of those exhibits with tons of useless information that you try to cram into your head but can't.. No, it has incredibly memorable facts, and it does a great job at assisting your memory but creating great displays and exhibits so you remember everything! I know the Hunley is a bit of a drive from downtown Charleston, where most people stay during their visit, but I strongly urge them to come visit. It is off the beaten path, there is good food nearby at Park Circle and it is just such an interesting part of Charleston's history!

This was our second visit 10 years later. Wow, did it grow up. Still a smaller museum but of good quality and cool stuff to see. Tour was very informative. Don't expect to stand next to the Hunley, it's another 4-5 years away so you see it about 10 ft away submerged in a tank. Priced right for what it is, definitely something to see.

The Hunley was the first submarine to ever successfully sink a ship in combat, and then itself mysteriously sank shortly after the engagement. The sub is sitting in a water bath to avoid corrosion - almost as interesting as the thing itself is seeing the efforts around it to study and conserve the vessel. The volunteer tour guides are very well informed, and there's tons of additional information on placards and videos about how the sub was found, raised and excavated. I should mention that my mother, who is not particularly into history, found the sub creepy. I kind of understand what she meant - after all, the thing was the coffin of eight men for a hundred and fifty years. There's a certain level of cognitive dissonance involved in, on the one hand, praising the bravery and determination of the men who powered the submarine and on the other recognizing that the society they fought to defend was deeply unjust. But still, definitely make an effort to see this place if you're a history buff in the area.

If you're a history buff and on vacation in Charleston - GO! The legend of the Hunley is extremely interesting and the foundation has done a great job of converting an old laboratory into a mini Hunley museum. 20 minute tours are given Saturday and Sunday - my recommendation is to go on Sunday as both volunteer tour guides are veterans who live and breathe the stuff. Carl was my favorite! I think it costs $10/adult which is well worth the information, exhibits, and sweet little tour. Don't go expecting a large museum but do go expecting to learn!!

If you are a history buff you will enjoy visiting the Hunley. If your not into history I would skip. You can only go on Saturday and Sunday's. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable. There is a small museum that features a prop from the Hunley movie that you can sit in and get a feel for the tight quarters. You will only view the actual Hunley from a platform above. A full museum is in the works but not sure when it will be opened.

Wonderful staff and customer service! Definitely worth the trip. Very educational and extremely interesting. Bought a puzzle in the gift shop and it was missing a piece. Emailed these lovely people and they mailed me a whole new puzzle. 10/10 would recommend.

Just finished the Hunley tour. Our guide who was retired Air Force was very nice and informative. The conservatory has done a nice job of telling the story of "fish boats" on the confederate side and laying out the artifacts. It is amazing how brave and fearless these men were. I highly recommend this tour if you go to Charleston. Takes very litte time, in air conditioned space and makes for a memorable experience.

We were all amazed by the exhibits. Very memorable and professional. The docent was excellent. Anyone interested in history should consider this a must see.

It's incredible to see this unique piece of Civil War and naval history undergoing conservation efforts and to hear the stories of the submarine and its lost crew. This is well worth the visit and I'm sure I'll return when I'm in the Charleston area again. (If you don't have a car, plan ahead. This isn't that far outside of Charleston, but I didn't notice any public transportation, nor were there taxis nearby.)

Truly a fascinating part of our history. It hard to believe that over 150 years ago this sub was created as a answer to the Unions blockade of Charleston, SC. The Hunley discovery has now led to additional surprises with the discovery of archives describing a Union submarine called the 'Alligator' that predates the Hunley. When you see the size of this vessel it truly is awe inspiring. Well worth the trip but somewhat hard to find. Print a map and call for the best times before going. Cameras are not allowed around the actual vessel out of fear that someone might drop a camera in the tank with the submarine and possibly aggravate the deterioration of the vessel. The museum is located in a warehouse and will be moved to a more permanent home when the archaeological studies are done in a few years. There are also plenty of exhibits housed with the submarine.

I love this place! I never cease to be amazed at the reconstructed heads of the crew members and I cry every time I read the story of the captain and his fiancee!

This is such an amazing part of our history! Seeing the restoration work in progress is amazing. This is a definite "must see" in Charleston - history in the present. The building is a little bit of a challenge to find, but worth it. It really felt like an honor that the archaeologists let us have a 'sneak peek' of the restoration process of such an important part of not only US history, but also technological world history. Photos are absolutely NOT ALLOWED in the preservation room. But, once you read/hear the story and actually see the C.S.S. H. L. Hunley in the preservation tank, you WILL be awe struck with a 'mental' photograph. It is also somewhat emotional when you realize that the small object before you is essentially the tomb of 8 men that perished shortly after the completion of their mission. According to the Friends of the Hunley, the preservation society, restoration is expected to complete sometime in 2015. The C.S.S. H. L. Hunley will be relocated to a maritime museum to be built around the time the restoration is finished. Price for admission is $12 for adults...I think under 5 was free, and active/retired military or kids were $10.

We recently took a 5 day trip to Charleston and Savannah and the Hunley museum was at the top of our list of places to see. It's incredible to be standing so close to this piece of Civil War history. I've seen several documentary's on the Hunley and seeing it up close is amazing. Our tour guide was very passionate about the Hunley and its restoration. If you are in Charleston make time to see this.

We took the 4:40 tour on a Saturday. - Our guide was extremely knowledgeable. Passionate. Really made us feel like we were there in the boat. Warning: if you are anti-Confederate you may want to check your biases at the door. - I recommend going earlier in order to have more time to view the standalone exhibits. The place closes at 5:30, I believe, so we felt a little rushed to get out. Really fascinating stuff and if you enjoy history you'll want time to ponder it and figure out ... exactly how this boat sank. - A great bit of American history and certainly for Southerners, this is a key piece of history. - Our 10 year old liked it, but we had kids 8 and younger who had a hard time following what the guide was saying, despite his great efforts to throw in content to appeal to them, so I would advise against young kids joining. My vote is that the Hunley was rammed or run over by a Union vessel going to rescue the Hunley's victim ...

We had a young lady as our guide. We did not have a problem hearing her during her presentation until she started having to compete with another guide using the PA. We had one lady on the platform using a mic and our guide on the floor describing the attack without audio aid, Either everyone uses a PA or non. Prefer non

I love history so this was right up my alley. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Hunley...it's past and the on going research they are still doing. The museum before you go into see it was very interesting. They did a good job with telling its story and the men that perished that day. Entrance fees I thought were a little expensive but I guess everything is these days. Also, my 12, 11 and 8 year old kids loved it too. They had a few interactive displays for the kids...including a half size replica of the sub that kids can go in and try to crank and get the full experience.