View of Charleston, c. 1831, by Samuel Barnard (Courtesy of Yale University Art Gallery--Mabel  Brady Garvan Collection)

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Discover the fascinating history of Castle Pinckney, the harbor fort that was constructed in 1809 to defend the City of Charleston prior to the War of 1812. The fort’s strategic location allowed anyone to command Charleston and the busy wharves along East Bay Street facing the Cooper River.  So, it became an important chess piece in the secession turmoil of 1832 and 1850, and in the months leading up to the shelling of Fort Sumter on Apr. 12, 1861. Read Article

Architectural drawing of Castle Pinckney, 1821 (Courtesy of the National Archives)

Watch Guided Tour of Castle Pinckney,
Led by Co-Authors of Holding CHARLESTON by the Bridle (2024), the first book on the fort.

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From the history of Castle Pinckney to the activities of the Castle Pinckney Historical Preservation Society, you’ll find everything you need to know on this website. Please join, donate or shop to support the Society in its effort to save Castle Pinckney. For more information, use the form at the bottom of this page to contact us.

Scientists Visit Castle Pinckney to Conduct Initial Assessment

March 9, 2026

WLCC scientists cross Charleston Harbor by boat early Saturday morning, March 9 to conduct their first archaeological assessment of Castle Pinckney. (Photo by John Fisher)

Charleston, S.C. ─ A team of scientists from Clemson University’s Warren Lasch Conservation Center (WLCC) visited Castle Pinckney on Monday, March 9 to study issues facing the historic fort on Shute’s Folly, a small island in Charleston Harbor.

Captain Lex Crawford transported the scientists and several Castle Pinckney Historical Preservation Society (CPHPS) board members and committee chairs by boat to and from the site between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. More

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© 2026 Castle Pinckney Historical Preservation Society PO Box 20284, Charleston, SC 29413