At 122 E Bay St in Charleston’s Historic District, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon traces the city’s colonial and Revolutionary-era history inside a building completed in 1771. Explore exhibits on the upper floors, then join a guided visit to the cellar, where the British held prisoners during the American Revolution. The building also hosted South Carolina’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1788 and public auctions of enslaved people. Look for a surviving section of Charleston’s early fortifications in the basement.
A building with many civic roles
The Old Exchange was built between 1767 and 1771 as a commercial exchange and customs house. Trade and customs business took place here, and the building became a center for Charleston’s public and political life. Its later uses included a post office, city hall and military headquarters; it is now a museum.
Its Georgian-Palladian design gives the building a formal, symmetrical appearance. The three-level structure has multi-pane windows and classical details. Its prominent position at East Bay and Broad streets places it close to Rainbow Row and other sights in the Historic District.
Charleston and the founding era
The building’s history reaches beyond commerce. South Carolina delegates ratified the U.S. Constitution here in 1788, and George Washington was entertained in the building during his 1791 visit to Charleston. The exhibits explore colonial Charleston and the city’s role in the American Revolution.
The site also carries a painful history. Public auctions of enslaved people took place here, and the exhibits address the building’s connection to slavery as well as its place in the city’s political history. Give these displays time alongside the accounts of trade and independence; both are part of the site’s story.
The dungeon and the basement
The cellar, known as the Provost Dungeon, was used by British forces to hold prisoners during the Revolutionary War. American patriots were among those confined there. The dungeon also held other groups, including enslaved people; the museum’s history encompasses these different experiences.
A guide leads the dungeon visit, while the upper-floor exhibits are explored at your own pace. The cellar’s brickwork and dim, enclosed setting make it a distinct part of the visit. In the basement, look for masonry from an earlier section of Charleston’s fortifications. The surviving wall connects the building to the city’s defenses and offers a closer look at its layers of history.
FAQ
How long does a visit to the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon take?
Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours for the exhibits and guided dungeon visit. The cellar tour itself takes about 20 minutes.
Do you need to book tickets ahead?
Tickets are sold in person and cannot be bought online in advance. Arrive early on a weekday if you want to join a tour.
How often do dungeon tours run?
Guided tours of the dungeon run every 30 minutes.
What can you see inside the Old Exchange?
The upper floors have exhibits about colonial Charleston and the Revolutionary period. The basement includes the Provost Dungeon and a section of the city’s early fortifications.
