Get an inside perspective on Charleston's lesser-known black history during this 2-hour walking tour. Listen as your guide tells forgotten folktales and facts about important figures in the city's history. Set off through Charleston's historic neighborhoods on foot, taking in the local ambiance from the ground up. Stop by the Jehu Junes Hotel site, see Catfish Row, where the opera Porgy and Bess is set. Stroll along the ocean, through Waterfront Park and past the Charleston Harbor. Finish up with visits to the Heyward Washington House and the Old Slave Art Museum. After 2 hours, return to your starting point with a better understanding of Charleston's black history.

2-hour Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour
Tours narrated by writer, historian, educator, and licensed tour guide, Damon Fordham
Experience Mother Emanuel A.M. E. Church stories that have faded from memory over the centuries.
Walk by historical Charleston sites such as Old Slave Mart Museum and the Heyward-Washington House

What's Included

2-hour Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour
Tours narrated by writer, historian, educator, and licensed tour guide, Damon Fordham
Experience Mother Emanuel A.M. E. Church stories that have faded from memory over the centuries.
Walk by historical Charleston sites such as Old Slave Mart Museum and the Heyward-Washington House

Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Buxton Books
160 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Departure Point: Tour Charleston Headquarters (inside Buxton Books) Address: 160 King Street Charleston, SC 29401

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Meet your guide and tour group at the tour office at 9:30am. Set off through Charleston's historic neighborhoods on foot, taking in the local ambiance from the ground up.

Listen as your guide combines historical facts, personal perspectives, and powerful storytelling. Stop by the Jehu Junes Hotel site, see Catfish Row, where the opera Porgy and Bess is set. Stroll along the ocean, through Waterfront Park and past the Charleston Harbor. Finish up with visits to the Heyward Washington House and the Old Slave Art Museum.

After 2 hours, return to your starting point with a better understanding of Charleston's black history.

Tour Charleston (Pass By)

Charleston City Market

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Heyward-Washington House

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Old Slave Mart Museum

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Joe Riley Waterfront Park

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travellers with back problems
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Reviews

5.0

264 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 264 reviews

First time in Charleston SC

Ray_C, Sept 2023

How knowledgeable Professor Damon was with the History and dates of occurrences. Prof. Damon was quite the musician as well. Used music to coincide and explain certain events that happened to Black Americans.

Great historian.

rubydey, Sept 2023

Great tour with a wonderful historian. However, I was a bit surprised there was no history provided about where the slaves arrived, the auction sites and more in depth stories. Almost seemed like a gentrified tour.

The Case of the Debacle Plans

Orabelle_W, Sept 2023

The story about the escape plans organized by self educated Denmark Vesey. The information while not new to me, it was interesting hearing and heart wrenching how it ended. It encouraged me to research it further. O. Wright Washington

Avoiding Charleston's Black History

Delores_B, Aug 2023

How history is repeating itself on the accomplishments of blacks. How many whites want to downplay a black person's contribution to America's history.

Amazing and informative

Natasha_A, Aug 2023

The information and knowledge of the tour guide was amazing, we learn things about people and history of SC we really had no idea about he made things make sense and put things into perspective this tour is a must do

great historical review.

viator, July 2023

was important to hear a history of Charleston from a different perspective. we were told stories we would have never know and their impact on Charleston and us as a nation.

Best tour ever

Bobby_R, July 2023

The narration was was excellent. The tour guide really bought the stories to life. It was an amazing experience.

Not to be missed!

Carla_D, June 2023

Being a native of the are and Gullah culture Damon Fordham offers an amazing presentation and tour of some of the most important sites in historic Charleston for everyone! He masterfully explains historical events and famous Low Country characters, both Black and White, to offer a unique and engaging perspective.

Prepare to be educated!

Veronica_G, June 2023

Very interesting and fact finding tour. Our guide was excellent and extremely informative. I highly recommend it 👌

Don’t miss

Kim_W, June 2023

Really enjoyed learning about lesser known and discussed chapters of African American Charleston history. Damon was such an informed and interesting guide who brought stories to life through his direct research and experiences

Glad I came!

Deneen_C, June 2023

Damon was wonderful and full of knowledge regarding Charleston and the history of the city. Glad I chose this tour for information on the Black Experience!

Great!

Adrian_A, June 2023

I enjoyed hearing the amazing stories of the past. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour to others.

You won’t find this in history books.

Patricia_M, June 2023

Getting a new perspective on history that is not in the history books was important to us. The presenter was interesting and knowledgeable. We felt this tour was very worthwhile.

Understanding black history

Milo_H, June 2023

Great storyteller/entertainer - the two hour tour just flew by. The tour leader was very knowledgeable and Is doing great work in studying, understanding and sharing black history in Charleston. Highly recommend the tour,

Great tour! Very interesting!

Elaine_P, June 2023

Damon’s knowledge of black history is impressive! Great presentation also! I can’t wait to read his books! Highly recommend! Its worth your time! His first hand knowledge of recent events gives a unique perspective.

This tour was interesting, informative and well executed.

Sheryl_W, May 2023

The most interesting part was learning about how reconstructionists were able to return to the laws of the past. This so reminded me of what is happening today.

The tour was a waste of...

Ngozi_O, May 2023

The tour was a waste of time. I learned minimal if anything about black Charleston. I would have done better on google and mapping sites. Save yourself time and money and choose another tour.

Take This Tour

Heidi_S, May 2023

We learned so much, enjoyed the tour, and would encourage all who visit Charleston to take advantage of this very special experience.

Great Tour

Uptown_G, Apr 2023

Wonderful history tour. Very informative. The guide is well informed and organized. The tour covers a beautiful community in Charleston. Non touristy

An unforgettable experience

Melani_B, Apr 2023

Excellent tour. A great storyteller that keeps you engaged and entertained. Mr. Fordham is a fountain of knowledge overflowing with a wealth that needs to be continually shared. Absolutely 💯 an experience not to be missed.

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