April 2011 marks the start of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. Decades of growing unrest between North and South erupted in civil war on April 12, 1861 when Confederate artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter. Fort Sumter surrendered on April 14, 1861. Union forces would try for nearly four years to take it back.

Go back in time to April 1861 and visit Charleston this April to commemorate the start of the civil war. Between April 9th and April 17th re-enactors will be encamped at Fort Sumter, Liberty Square, Fort Moultrie and Patriots Point. Fort Sumter will be occupied by re-enactors representing Union soldiers of the 1st. Artillery Battalion until April 14, 2011 and re-enactors representing the Palmetto Guard & the SC Artillery Battalion will set up camp from April 14 to April 17th. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to experience one of America’s most defining moments.

Visitors to Fort Sumter between April 9th and April 17th will experience living history programs conducted by re-enactors occupying the Fort. To provide additional access to Fort Sumter we have partnered with the National Park Service to provide an extra public tour to the Fort departing at 5:15 from Liberty Square on April 10th, 11th,13th, and April 15 -16th as well as the special, exclusive events below. Online Reservations may be made to tour Fort Sumter beginning 45 days prior to tour date. Reservations by phone are not accepted for parties of less than 15. Visitor’s who do not have reservations are encouraged to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to tour time in the month of April.

Special Events to Commemorate the Sesquicentennial

From Where they Stood: A Sesquicentennial Dinner Cruise to Fort Sumter
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Boarding: 5:15 at Liberty Square
Cruising 5:30-9:00
Cost: $65.00*

History comes alive before your eyes at Fort Sumter this April!  Your adventure begins at the Fort Sumter Visitors Center at Liberty Square where you board the Spirit of the Lowcountry for your transportation back in time to Fort Sumter 1861.  During your one hour on the Fort you will enjoy a living history program by re-enactors representing either Union soldiers or members of the South Carolina Artillery Battalion.  After departing the Fort we will serve a delicious three-course southern-style meal.  During dinner you will be entertained by period music and a fascinating lecture on Fort Sumter’s role in the start of the Civil War by a representative from the National Park Service.. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see the beginning of America’s defining moment.

* Price includes three-course meal, coffee, tea, lecture, and all taxes, and gratuities.  Price does not include alcoholic beverages available for purchase onboard.  Seating onboard is assigned group seating, larger parties may be seated at separate tables.  No special seating requests can be accommodated.