Charleston - Historic District

The best starting point for a walk through old Charleston is the intersection of Meeting and Market Streets, in the heart of the town. Here is the main building of the City Market (1841), now housing the Confederate Museum. Beyond this are the market halls, bustling with life and colour. Further down Meeting Street is Cumberland Street, with the Powder Magazine (1713). Beyond it, in Church Street, can be seen the tower of St Philip's Church (1835-8; Protestant), occupying the site of the first church founded in 1670. Back on Meeting Street is the circular Congregational Church (1891; originally founded 1681), the meeting house that gave its name to the street.

At 135 Meeting Street is the Gibbes Museum of Art, with a very fine collection of paintings and graphic art, including old views of Charleston. At No. 134 is the house in which the secession of South Carolina was signed on December 20th 1860.