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Fort Sumter National Monument33-star United States flag from Fort Sumter
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Fort Sumter National Monument
Operating Hours & Seasons

Fort Sumter by Ferry
The concession-operated ferry leaves from two locations: Liberty Square (340 Concord Street, Charleston, SC), and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum (40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC).

For ferry departure times, visit the concessioner's website.

 

Fort Sumter by Private Boat
Fort Sumter is open year round except for New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Hours of operation are:

  • January 1 — Closed
  • January 2 - February 29 — 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
  • March 1 - March 14 — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • March 15 - August 20 — 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
  • August 21 - August 28 — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Labor Day Weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun) — 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
  • Labor Day - November 30* — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • *Thanksgiving Day — Closed
  • December 1 - 24 —  11:30 AM to 4:00 PM
  • December 25 —  Closed
  • December 26 - 31 — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
 
Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square
340 Concord Street, Charleston
The Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center at Liberty Square is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.

 
Fort Moultrie
1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island

Fort Moultrie is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for New Year's, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.

 
Park Headquarters
1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island
Park Headquarters is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except for federal holidays.

Artist's rendition of the opening shot of the American Civil War with Fort Sumter in the distance.  

Did You Know?
The first shot of the American Civil War didn't hit anything. It was a 10-inch mortar shell, fired from Fort Johnson, that exploded above Fort Sumter as a signal for Confederate artillery to open fire on the Union-held fort. Fort Sumter National Monument, SC

Last Updated: January 08, 2009 at 14:49 EST