Old Slave Mart Museum

Historic Charleston prospered like no other city during the times of slave trading. Slaves were off loaded at the wharfs and taken to a short distance to be auctioned to traders and to parts further south. The Old Slave Mart Museum on Chalmers St is housed in the same building that was constructed for the purpose of jailing and selling slaves while remaining out of sight. The Mart was the most renown and busiest of the slave trading businesses in town. The museum has two floors of exhibits. The top tells the history of the transatlantic slave trade. The bottom or first floor portrays the activities of domestic slave trading in SC and at the Mart specifically. Admission is very reasonable; under $10.

So, I visited the “Old Slave Museum” in Charleston while vacationing in South Carolina. I was informed by one of the guides that there were 47 different auction sites, within a 4-block radius! 😡 He said that the “Mart” processed and sold “conservatively” 10,000 Africans, and that’s just this one site alone. Keep in mind that this is ONLY in Charleston, not counting other towns and States in this country, and this went on for 200+ years. So, I asked him my “litmus test” question: “with everything that you shared with me and all that you know about this history, what are your thoughts on “reparations”? In front of a half-dozen or so tourist, he began to stutter, and trip over his words ultimately saying it is a complex question and that he doesn’t think it’s fair to be punished for the sins of the forefathers. I responded by saying that his answer was disappointing and should have been a resounding YES! He humbly agreed. 🫤 Talk about avoiding accountability…with all of the unimaginable details that he is keenly aware of, unlike a typical unaware “shielded from history” American, he still cannot acknowledge the need for “repair” from the enormous damage inflicted on Gods chosen people. ❤️🖤💚

Overall the museum has a solid foundation of slavery and also the role of it in Charleston. There are 2 floors split up from broad to specific. You start upstairs and then come back downstairs. There are some neat artifacts included with primary documents. There was not as many interactive elements that other museums have. Most of it is just pictures and readings on the wall. I would say that this is a one and done thing in Charleston.

Was not as complex as we believed ot would be but in any case a important part of history that must be told. Take time to explore there is alot of reading and they offer many books on the history of Slavery that are must reads.

This museum offers a profound and sobering exploration of America's history of slavery. On my way out, I’ve picked up an excellent book(Complicity: How the North Promoted, Prolonged, and Profited from Slavery) that reveals extensive involvement of northern states in this grim history. The banks, insurance agencies, and cotton mills in the North were complicit in the exploitation of enslaved individuals. While the experience at The Old Slave Mart Museum can be heavy and challenging, it is crucial for fostering a more comprehensive understanding of American history. The exhibits significantly deepened my understanding of ongoing impact of slavery on contemporary society and how institutions beyond the southern plantations were integral to the mechanics of slavery.

A very historical place to learn about the slave trade and progression through time. Priced reasonable for how small the museum is. Would recommend if in the area and want to learn more about how slavery shaped the area and our country.

The price is fair. The displays are repetitive. I feel it could have more artifacts. Some of them have little explanation. Also mostly tells of traders... with big emphasis on the triumph over this nasty business. Would like to see more of the wider history. On the positive this museum has knowleagebale staff.

If you think you know what slaves went through, you're probably wrong. But this place will open your eyes to what you didn't know. I recommend doing both museums ( slave mart and dungeon ). You won't regret it, if you like history.

Informative. Whips, cuffs, photos, lots of text on very large posters Unfortunately the front desk staff were White- really??? Plus, ill informed about what all the posters had to say. Why not hire some ancesters of slaves to work there?

A small museum that packs a somber punch. Lots of reading and a few artefacts on show. Worth the visit for history buffs.

A historic building that was a mainstay for the evil slave trade until the end of the Civil War. The exterior seemed to be well preserved and echoed dark history. The interior however is completely modernized with some displays of artifacts and lots of placards to read about the Charleston's dark slave trade history. I was kind of hoping to see what the original interior looked like. Some of the writings seemed a little "white washed" as well: "Some owners bought and sold with a clear conscience. Others were more thoughtful toward the people they enslaved." Oh really? I doubt it. $20 Combo Ticket with entry to the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon.

Stopped by the slave mart museum while in the market area of Charlestown. This is an important place for everyone visiting to go to understand the slave trade in Charlestown and the rest of US. It is well done and takes about an hour to go through. The staff are great and can answer all your questions and more. Is a for sure stop in Charleston.

This is a powerful museum where you can see a lot of history and actual items (like shackles) from the slave era. The low price to get in is worth it. The staff is very knowledgable and happy to discuss the facts of the past. For anyone visiting Charleston and is interested in learning about the slave trade, this is an absolute must-visit museum. When I was there, they had an exhibit of an actual newspaper that advertised slaves.

Possibly the only known building used as a slave auction site in SC still in existence. This is Charleston's oldest museum of African American history and the first museum on the history of slavery in the United States. Lots of information about Charleston's role in slave trade, plus slavery in the Americas. I highly recommend visiting this museum if you're in Charleston.

Very somber attraction with a lot of information and it gives a better insight into what they went through.

Prior to arriving in Charleston I added this to my itinerary. I wasn't sure if I was going to visit or not. My mind was made up after our walking tour included a stop in front of it and background covered by our local tour guide. Although the museum is small it speaks volume. It provides a history lesson of slavery and the role Charleston played in it. It's the actual spot of the auction house where hundreds of thousands of American born slaves were sold off. The museum is open every day except Sunday. Hubby & I parked a block down in a parking lot. Allow one hour at the museum. We finished in about 45 minutes. No photos allowed.

I couldn't keep my emotions together! The cold brick walls, small rooms, low ceilings and historic accounts documented there was all too much for me. I sobbed as I read and consumed the information. The museum is on sacred ground and I thank my ancestors for their resilience. HEAVY is the word! It's worth the visit!

Full of historical information about the African American slave experience. Whether you agree with the information or find it fake. It is a place the shares the experience of a species of humans being treated less than equal. Stop and read everything. You not going to learn all the details of history in the classroom or at home. I highly recommend this as a must see! All are welcome and encouraged to visit. If you don't know or learn the lesson from history/herstory, you are doomed to repeat it.

Being in the place where humans were sold as property cloaks you in foreboding that you don't easily shed once you leave. If it doesn't effect you in some way then I'm not sure you have a heart and soul. We arrived at a time when a local historian and expert was speaking on slavery in SC, and that made this tour! Without listening to her, the experience would not have been the same. Schedule your tour when she'll be there! She shared many primary sources and seeing people's names, ages, and a price placed beside them was just an unreal experience. The actual museum is self-guided and I didn't find it as impactful as listening to the historian. It is photos with placards and it doesn't have the same impact. They do have a chart that depicts age and how much you would be worth at that time. That was powerful. They have a great book selection that is well curated making it easier to select what is meaningful to you. It's worth a visit and especially if you're able to listen to the historian.

As the first African American Slave museum, in a building that once housed an antebellum slave auction gallery, I was very excited to visit the Old Slave Mart Museum. After you buy your ticket a guide welcomes you to the museum and gives you a brief history of the building. It turns out the museum is only a small part of what was once a bigger building. The rest of the building is now a parking lot. This means that the museum is smaller than I anticipated. There is a lot of information to read, but because of the crowds in a small area during covid, I felt rushed to read through everything. I had a much better time on the 2nd floor. Not as many people go up there and there is more space. They also have artifacts up there like a small branding iron that was used to brand slaves. I had to snap a picture, despite the museum's no photos policy. The lack of space limits the exhibits they can have at the Old Slave Mart Museum. With more artifacts and some type of interactive exhibit this could be a 5 star destination. But as it is now it's still a place I'm glad to have visited. I went on the Saturday before the Martin Luther King Jr holiday. This museum was a good place to learn and reflect on the history of African Americans in this country and the legacy of Dr. King.

Somber look into American History. Very informative museum and very affordable. Docents were full of great information and stories.

This building is not big enough for a "museum". We paid our $8 to enter..."Start upstairs" was the suggestion so we did and there is literally no room to move around. It doesn't take long to go through, but there is definitely no flow to the exhibits. If you're lucky enough to visit when there is not that much traffic, that's ideal, but definitely don't attempt on a busy day...might as well just go do something else.

With so much history in this space, I was expecting so much more rather than just reading placards and posters of history that you can already find online. Personally, I don't think this museum does not do the horrors of the slave trade any justice in terms of properly educating visitors with any sorts of re-enactments or setups of an actual slave auction or even setting up the slave mart as how it would be set up in the 1800s and before. This place should close up and completely renovate the interior.

This was an informative self-guided tour about slavery in Charleston. The building was actually used as an auction floor. It's sad but also important to educate yourself on what took place here back in the day. We arrived on a Saturday at around 12:45. If you have a student ID, tickets are $5. Otherwise, it's $8. It took us about half an hour to get through both floors, but I think it was really because we were just trying to get out of there because it was so crowded. All the people + narrow walkways = very hard to move around. I'd recommend going when it opens if you want to try and avoid this.

We had a few hours left after our walking tour of charleston and before we had to head to airport. We heard this mentioned on our tour and wanted to come back to see it. I am glad that we had the opportunity. It is tough to fully know what to say, as this really is such a tough point of history. The museum itself used to be a portion of a indoor slave mart that was actively used for 7 years. It is a small piece of it as part of teh rest of the building was turned into a parking lot. The front desk was knowledgable and willing to answer any questions one might have. As you go in, the bottom level is a lot of reading. The upper level has some things that you can see (it helps to get a visual on what things actually looked like) and more reading. The only thing I wish is that they would limit the number of folks that they let in at a time. It is fairly small and as more people were allowed in it was hard to really enjoy the museum as it was tough to get around the people. If you are in the area i would say it is worth stopping to see.

This was a great, historic visit during one of our downtown Charleston excursions. While not awfully big, it does offer two floors where the space is taken up by the important and sad history with pictures to go along with the written description of the artifacts and photos on display depicting the slave trade and auction process. In addition, there was wonderful woman giving a live presentation describing the history and what went on at this Slave Mart when it was in actual operation. I found this to be very informative and well worth the hour or so we spent walking around looking at the artifacts, reading and listening to the stories of what these poor slaves had to endure. I definitely recommend a visit.

For most visitors to Charleston looking to come here for boozy brunches and cute architecture, a gloomy, saddening experience such as this is probably not on the itinerary. Yet, the reminder of uncomfortable past is impossible to ignore walking through Charleston, but even more important is the preservation of artifacts and the memory of it, as difficult as it may be. The hope, is that as a human civilization, maintaining these memories will be a reminder that will keep us from repeating mistakes of the past. Ryan's mart is about as forward of an example in that as it gets. Although just being on the auction floor itself is a somber and one of a kind experience, the way that this museum is setup is not particularly great. There are a few artifacts and descriptions of them, such as shackles, whips and other items used within the establishment, but the majority of the museum consists of text that does not correspond to any tangible visual items and lots of reading. Some of the reading is informative and there are interesting tidbits, but a lot more of it is things that most people would have already known. Having more artifacts of that time, such as actual newspaper cutouts dealing with slavery, items, visuals and deeper stories of specific people who passed through here would have made this museum a lot better and the reminder a lot more real. Despite the somewhat disappointing setup of the museum, this is a place that must be visited in Charleston and provides a glimpse of tangible memory into something that will continue to be seen as more and more distant of a past by new generations.

Rich African American history! Must see if you're ever in the area, stop by the Last standing Slave Mart!

FEBRUARY is traditionally honored as Black History Month and every day this month I've been posting a new review highlighting a black-owned business or Black History landmark. Thank you for coming on this journey with me as I explore the food, history, and significant offerings of a rich culture. NEXT UP is Old Slave Mart Museum in Charleston, SC Charleston is full of history and the luxuries afforded this city CANNOT be separated from the history of Black Americans. It's success in farming, gross product & wealth can be directly attributed to not only the labor of the enslaved, but the generational knowledge of farming techniques they brought that made crops here productive. Even the food & music have deep African American roots, and it all begins with the institution of slavery and places like this where those slaves were bought and sold like cattle. [ THE EXPERIENCE ] If I'm being honest, the name of this place really annoys me. I fully understand why it is named Old Slave Mart, but I still can't help but feel a little agitated inside at the sound of it. Nonetheless, I found the small space to be more informative than I expected. There were two types of Slave Trade. One was the initial Atlantic Slave Trade, which was outlawed in 1808 (but still secretly smuggled in on whale ships). Over time, the other trade was the sale of American born children of these first-generation slaves, which AUTOMATICALLY made them property of the slave owners. The museum focuses on the latter. I walked in with a slight reverence, knowing it was once an open-air market used for one of the most inhumane practices ever to last for GENERATIONS. We are not talking a few years or a decade of cruel family crushing servitude, but CENTURIES. I still struggle to understand how a nation with a constitutional guarantee of freedom, liberty & justice as great as ours allowed such vile cruelty to be so widely accepted for so long. The Old Slave Mart (once known as Ryan's Mart) experience begins with a paid admission of $8pp for adults. You can begin on the first floor & work your way up or vise-versa. As the website states: "There is a lot to learn. There is an interview with a former slave that is fascinating. Don't expect the inside to look like it did when slaves were sold there. In order to maximize your trip to this slave museum, plan on spending at least an hour reading the very informative posters and soaking in the history. Because of all the reading, this slave museum is usually not entertaining for children. If you are looking for artifacts and items from the slave trade, you will be disappointed. The Old Slave Mart Museum has some artifacts but not as many as some visitors have hoped for." It's not a very big space, but they smartly focus on HOW the operation worked, from "fattening slaves up" before auction by increasing food rations to coaching them (which was probably more of a threat) on what to say to a prospective buyer. There is chart explaining value with an example of a price menu based on age, skill and classifications such as: Extra, Number One and Second Rate. You will learn a little about the mindset of the buyer, the trader, and the slaves. [ SIDE NOTE ] We met a pepper haired gentleman named Walter who had a deep connection with Charleston via both slave and slave master ancestry. He took time to speak a little knowledge into our visit and this really made the positive difference in my rating. I'm not sure of his position or if he worked there at all, but he did occupy a desk on the second floor. Also, the young lady at the front desk took a moment to show me an interesting feature of the building. She pointed out a brick on the second floor with three indents thought to be from that of a child brickmaker... most likely a slave. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] I really don't care to hear much more about the brutality of slavery. Stories of the desecration of human life only make me angry & while that anger has its place, I want to feel inspired by the stories of sheer endurance and flat out courage. The pockets of joy within the bitterness and what a determined people did to survive, and in some cases thrive when life was quite literally hell on earth. Places like Old Slave Mart are useful for those just beginning the uncomfortable journey into America's omitted past. The focus on the buying & selling mindset between the trader, buyer and slave was something I had not seen before. My heart felt their angst of wanting to know where they were going, what they would be doing and if they would stay with their family. The sheer humiliation of it makes me sick to think about. 2022 / 52 #BlackHistorySeries2022

We were expecting a little bit more. We drove two hours to visit this museum and it was nice but, I guess I was looking for an actual auction block or stand. Some of the information was a little off from several years of Black History and classes. There was never a Trans-Atlantic Slave Agreement or Treaty but, there was a Slave Trade. It seemed to read at one time that SC was really not in the slave business at all but, the slaves just were transported through. Not true. The South was greedy for blacks, Native Indians and others to do the hard work while whites reaped the benefits. At one period of time I (as the only black man in the building) was feeling that instead of telling the harsh truth. It was lightly telling of how harsh blacks were treated in the South and around auction time. Black women were treated just as harshly as black men. I was conversing with an older white man and in our conversation he began to cry. Nope not on my watch sir. Slavery took place but, if we continue tearing down statues and changing street names to satisfy certain whites ashamed about their family tree what will this do for my family tree when I tell my grandchildren about something they don't see. Slavery was real and now we must look it in the eye and deal with it! You aren't allowed to take pics inside of the museum. Nice setup within the place though and you will have to find a place to park. Mostly for residents. I would suggest that one read (not look at a movie or You Tube) and learn something about black history before going to any museum. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, William Lynch Letters (should it be real or not, it's true) Runaway Slaves, Free Indeed, Things created by Blacks especially the Potato Chip!!!

This is a very powerful museum. It is small but is filled with a lot of information. I was able to listen to a speaker who researched slavery in the area. I learned many new facts and felt it was an excellent choice to visit here. They have books for sale and my son is learning so much from the one he chose.

Great way to learn about Charleston's slavery history. This museum is mostly poster boards and reading, and there are less pieces of artifacts from the past, hence the 4 stars, but it was informative. I would estimate 1-1.5hr here to be sufficient.

Had read mixed reviews on this museum so we decided to try it for ourselves. This is a very informative museum built on the very sad site where slaves were once bought and sold. Definitely start off upstairs. We came in the middle of a talk by docent Daniel. He gave a very informative talk on what the slave mart was back in the day. Even though we knew some of these facts, Daniel was able to shed light on some things we weren't aware of. The second floor was also informative. You go around reading about different aspects of slavery. Towards the end, there is a audible narrative of a former slave. It was a sad & tragic time in our nation's history, but important to learn and understand. If visiting Charleston, please make time for this historically important museum.

This small museum is very informative, it tells you a lot about Charleston old history, including wars. They have a lot of books when you arrive for adults and for children. This museum has artifacts behind glass and videos as well. It was $8.00 for adults and I really enjoyed going!

Very humbling, powerful, and a good start to understanding the slave trade in Charleston and beyond. There is a wealth of info in such a small museum which has 2 floors. Your not allowed to take pics inside, only lobby and outside. The attendants give you a little history, then its self guided. Take the time to read and look at the artifacts, good info. They do have audio listening so you can hear the stories of former slaves, how they were sold and split apart. This is a must stop while you are visiting Charleston.

Wont take long to get thru here but you will walk away with major feelings if you are any kind of decent human being at all. Who wants to be treated like merchandise being bought and sold.

Very good insight into this horrible time in our nation's history. Docent was very knowledgeable.

You can't come to Charleston and not stop here. The staff were very helpful and friendly, they were willing to have discussions about hard topics and willing to educate. Go, see, reflect and be educated.

We spent about 90 minutes here at the museum. There were some interesting things to read about. It is a self guided tour about the history of the slave mart. The lower level is a little hard to navigate bc of the narrow walkways. However, it does give a different perspective about the slave trade.

Walking around Charleston I couldn't help but feel the weight of its past on my shoulders. The entire downtown is filled with historic buildings and homes donning plaques which bear the names of prominent families and provide a brief glimpse into the history of them. After reading a few, it's easy to find a common thread and one that's difficult to ignore. The Old Slave Mart Museum sits on the grounds of the largest slave mart in Charleston. Visitors are given the opportunity to walk through the slave trade stage by stage, and the museum presents historic records, audio anecdotes, artifacts and artistic renderings to bring history back to life. The space is mostly silent, as visitors walk and read a majority of the material presented. This gives the space a somber vibe that's all too appropriate, and allows you to focus, saving discussion for your exit. While it is mentioned, the information conveyed focuses on the process and practice of the slave trade, and avoids drawing too much attention to content related to the atrocities, poor living conditions, and horrendous treatment of slaves in America. Perhaps this is intended, but the images from documentaries and films on the topic are ingrained in my memory, and surely would leave an unforgettable impression on visitors who may discuss this experience with others. All in all, I felt that while this small museum adequately addressed the topic and certainly explained this terrible time in our history, but it did not have the impact I was expecting. I wanted to walk in feeling like I knew relatively nothing about this period of history and leave floored by just how terrible it truly was so I could share anecdotes with others that might help them understand. Instead, I saw things that supported what I already knew, in some cases adding a little bit of clarity or detail, but overall I did not walk away feeling as if I'd learned anything new. If you're interested in understanding the slave trade and how it is rooted in our country's history, this will give you a good foundation.

I will give it five stars because I feel it's a important museum. It is a very small museum and mostly reading the walls . I'm hoping someday they will redo it , so people can get a real idea what this place was all about . Perhaps restore it to more of the way it was when humans were sold and what they went through . A few more artifacts as well . Such an important part of our history. I found listening to the women at the front desk really interesting. She needs to give tours , she is great .

My family and I decided to visit the Slave Mart Museum while exploring the downtown Charleston area. We arrived on foot so I can't speak on the parking situation but it looked as though street parking was the only option. Once we got to the location we waited about 10 minutes before we could enter. The facility is pretty small and was already packed with people and not much room to move around. In the meantime we were greeted by one of the hospitable employees who gave a brief history lesson on the building. Once we entered I had to step back outside for about 15 minutes because it actually felt claustrophobic and hot. The museum is 2 levels with a small elevator in the back for wheelchair and stroller access. Unfortunately photography isn't allowed while inside. This isn't your typical history museum with lots of pictures, audio, artifacts, videos, and hands on learning. Most of the history is conveyed through various reading materials. I found that a lot of the information shared were facts that I already knew. However it's always a humbling and eye opening experience to see the history of slavery, some of it taking place in the very spot where the museum is located. If you're taking the time to read all of the material and explore each artifact and picture thoroughly you could tour the entire space within an hour and I would recommend a visit to anyone young or old who is unfamiliar with this side of Charleston SC history.

Powerful to know so much of history is in that very room and yet that's where the museum really misses the biggest opportunity - not creating an immersive experience with sights and sounds, maybe even videos in different sections. Instead, there are just panels after panels of text with very few actual artifacts. One table had sheets of paper that looked to be printed off an old inkjet printer. Visit the outside and take in the history through a guided tour but no real need to go in, in my opinion.

Boring . 5th grade social studies fair presentation .... I could've googled Nothing exciting and there was a bug inside

Excellent, do not miss it. Check out the cobblestone street, (it is one of 8 in SC). Also the pink house on the street is the oldest in Charleston. This is a two floor museum which is the actual slave mart show room. The walls are original. Very knowledgeable panels about the enslaved and how it happened. They do give a health care worker discount. If you are doing this you should do the Charleston city market, waterfront fountain all in the same day. No photos allowed on the inside.

I didn't even know this place existed but when I went to the Dungeon they offered a discounted double ticket good for both places so I was excited to visit. Unfortunately, they didn't allow pictures so I couldn't post any and frankly it would be good to share the info at this museum. There was a lot of really helpful information on a series of large information boards on two floors. Some artifacts as well. It's worth visiting for sure.

I think this is a very worthwhile stop. The site is one where slave auctions took place. But to be sure, in Charleston at some point, such auctions took place on the streets all over the city. It was such a phenomenon that the Charleston municipality, who were concerned even then about traffic, and the poor image that the buying and selling of human beings gave the city (although they didn't descry the practice itself) issued an edict prohibiting slave auctions from taking place on the streets. Then, the buying and selling of human beings were done on the inside. This is one of the original locations for the "inside" sales. It's a good museum. There are numerous large story boards, if you will, focusing on the domestic slave trade. That is, the sales were done of slaves already in the U.S. (not those just arriving from the Trans-Atlantic journey). These people were already working on plantations or other smaller farms, and were being bought and sold for various reasons. Some time was spent on describing the "slave traders," the middlemen (if you can call them "men"), who did the despicable task of preparing human beings for purchase. They did things like dyed the hair of older women and men so they would seem younger, putting oil on the hair and skin of slaves so they look healthier, covering scars from whippings (since beatings were thought to be a sign of an insubordinate spirit), and even force-feeding them for a while so they looked more robust. Young men in their 20s were the most valued, fetching at the time, around $5,000.00 (equivalent to $100,000 now). There are audio recordings of actual slaves, who lived until their old age (some more than 90 years old), and were interviewed in the late 1930s as part of the WPA (Works Progress Administration) under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. But upstairs is a bit disjointed from downstairs and you feel a bit lost. There are inexplicably rows of chairs in the middle of the room as if anticipating a lecture, but none is forthcoming, and if there are groups in the room it can be hard to navigate around. The upstairs addresses the slave trade more generally, in other geographical areas, among other things. There are some nice pieces of artifacts, and interesting information, but it just needs something else to bring it together. I think a docent would really help at this museum. I also think some live presentation is called for, especially upstairs. I have lots of other ideas, too! (Give me a call, Museum Board, and I will share!) Regardless of its shortcomings, (as others have pointed out), it is STILL a worthwhile stop on your trip to Charleston. And you should support this kind of place, as its research is quite good, and it's a modest fee to gain admission. Also, check out the little bookstore at the entrance to the museum. Quite good books that can be tough to find, even with Bezos' site.

There's something to be said for a museum that offers a sufficient amount of value and information. The Old Slave Mart or Ryan's Mart as it was originally known in the 1850's, provides a wealth of perspective in a relatively small space. Visitors will immediately take note of the preserved exterior. The outside facade of building visually looks like something of by-gone era. This part of Chalmers Street is actually still made of cobblestone. As an ongoing effort to preserve it's historical significance, Charleston has done a tremendous job of maintaining the historical integrity. I say this because after you have exited the museum, you will realize this is the same street that thousands of slaves, traders, and on-lookers stood on during the height of occupancy. Inside, you'll find professional quality displays and descriptions of slavery in America. On the ground floor, you'll listen to the words of slave who was born and lived on Queen Street, only a few blocks from the museum. This is a great spot to learn how much of Charleston was formed before the Civil War and it will give you great insight into what it was to be a slave in America. Make sure to take the time to read as much as possible. Time-wise, I would allow about one hour to sufficiently digest the contents of this museum. It's perfect for a short visit to Charleston and will pull you into learning about what happened in the building you are standing in.

It was very humbling to be in the building where people were sold like cattle. Apparently the public auctions were being frowned upon so the sale of elves moved to buildings for a period of time. You're not allowed to take photos inside of the museum - only the lobby area and outside. Take time to read the information panels, read the descriptions of the artifacts they have on display and listen to the stories of former slaves describing how they were sold and how families were split apart.

It was a neat spot very educational. We enjoyed the facility very much. I wish there was more to it but for the low price of 8 bucks there was plenty of awesome things to see. Photos are not allowed which I felt was weird since photos was allowed at all the other museums. Anyway we grabbed a some great book souvenirs for my kiddos! And the staff was awesome!

found this place while looking for something to do on my last day in Charleston. I'm not a history buff, but I love museums and reading and learning new information, so I figured it'd be a nice place to check out while hiding from the rain. I always carry my student ID for discounts even though it's a decade old now, and the joint ticket for this museum and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon (which I also reviewed) was only $8! that's cheaper than buying a decent umbrella, and I would get to learn something new, so it was a no-brainer. I don't think there's parking near it, but I put my car at a meter near Rainbow Row, walked to the Old Exchange, and afterwards walked a couple blocks here. this place is small (2 stories, but small area-wise), but I spent about an hour and a half here reading everything about the slave mart and slave trade. as a first-gen Asian American, none of this is in my personal history, but somehow all the information and the firsthand accounts of the times, as well as chilling recordings of voices of people who were affected by these events made me feel very emotional. most likely you know at least one person whose family history was affected by the American slave trade. I knew what I was expecting going in, bc reading all the reviews on here already told me the place was going to be small and mostly reading and not that many physical artifacts from the times. all of that is true, but it's still a good, informative museum anyway. this is a good place to check out, especially at the value for "students" ($8) and military ($11) for both museums. if you could only pick one though, definitely go here unless you're super into American Revolution stuff.

This is an experience that is exactly what you have read in books, or learned as an elementary student. Unfortunately this museum misses a great opportunity to truly show the horror and unfortunate circumstances our country relied on after stealing it from the natives that called this land home for thousands of years. The museum has more than a few chains,etc, behind glass and slave tags. There are pictures and lots of reading of several stories. Overall the displays are well done. Unfortunately for me when you have a living canvas it is an injustice not to really show the horror. I would have loved to combined all the reading and displays with life size auctions of slaves and white owners and buyers, a display of the holding cell and removal of dead black men and woman. The horror is there but it is watered down and sugarcoated. Unfortunate for me a black American, who constantly sees the history of this countries history relating to black people diluted this is another case of exactly that. The good is when it comes to cost teachers of all types and military members get a discount. I don't mind paying but give me something to pay for.

It is a powerful and fascinating place, but they didn't capitalize on it. The space could have been done so that you felt more of the presence of where you were, but the exhibits as laid out took away from it. As for the exhibits, it was largely text to read. There weren't much artifacts and the first floor was a bit tight to maneuver on a rainy Saturday. The second floor had a few more personal touches, but felt a bit disjointed from the first floor. We paid $8 per person entrance fee, so it wasn't a bad way to spend a rainy Saturday. It's still a neat space to see and offered historic context of Charleston.

This is an interesting place. The Old Slave Mart Museum is where they used to have slave auctions in the old days. Now it serves as a museum, education about what it was like during those times. The entrance fee was about $8 for 1 adult. When you walk in the staff will tell you some information about the building. The museum is self guided. There are no photography allowed inside. The museum is two stories tall. But it's not that big. They don't have many artifacts. It's mostly text you read on the wall. Take time to read everything. It's a fascinating history of America's sordid past. It was interesting and shocking how the slave trade was handled. I learned a lot. Was it worth it? I think so. It's a small place, but you do learn a lot.

I was disappointed by this. I was hoping to see more regarding what one of these might have looked like and less on the history of the slave trade. This was all about the slave trade, and not at all to do with what a slave mart or baracoon quarters looked like. Lots of reading. Little in the way of a tour/experience. Landed on me as more of a tourist trap than a museum. I got a richer history at Boone Plantation.

One of forty slave markets, but the first one to be indoors. Lots of reading in here, lots of history but photographs are not allowed. It is a small museum but it is worth the investment. Of course, slavery nowadays is similar to when it was institutionalized... it is a thing.

Wish there was more to see at this site it a small exhibit but it is packed with artifacts and information fish in the history of African American slavery of Charleston sc and the surrounding areas but don't let the size stop you for visiting the staff was great so go on and take a look you may be surprised at whet you see enjoy your stay.