Frankly Charleston Evening Ride/Walk Tour

Charleston’s Frankly Charleston Evening Ride/Walk Tour offers a captivating exploration of the city’s rich black history and culture. Led by knowledgeable local guides, the tour immerses visitors in the significant landmarks that shaped the African American experience, from the chilling Slave Market to the resilience of Mother Emanuel AME Church. As participants uncover the complex racial past, they’ll gain intimate insights that challenge preconceptions and inspire deeper reflection. With a small group size, the tour provides an engaging and thought-provoking experience for those seeking to expand their understanding of Charleston’s diverse heritage. What makes this tour so impactful, however, is the chance to…

Key Points

1. The tour explores the rich black history and culture of the Wraggborough neighborhood in Charleston, visiting significant landmarks like the old Citadel and Mother Emanuel AME Church.

2. The tour is led by a knowledgeable local guide, offering an intimate and engaging experience with a small group size.

3. Visitors can learn about the history and significance of the Mother Emanuel AME Church, a prominent African American congregation in Charleston.

4. The tour includes a visit to the Old Bethal Church, a historic African American institution that has served as a hub for worship, community organizing, and civil rights activism.

5. The tour also includes a visit to an African American grave site, which serves as a somber reminder of Charleston’s complex racial history.

Tour Overview

This guided walking tour takes participants on an exploration of the often overlooked black history and culture in the Wraggborough neighborhood of Charleston. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, the small-group tour visits significant landmarks such as the old Citadel, Mother Emanuel AME Church, Old Bethal Church, and an African American grave site.

Along the way, guests will learn about the rich history and cultural significance of these locations through the guide’s informative commentary. With only 25 reviews and a Badge of Excellence, this tour offers an intimate and engaging experience, allowing participants to ask more questions and delve deeper into Charleston’s complex past.

Wraggborough Landmarks

The tour takes guests on a journey through Wraggborough, visiting several key landmarks that shed light on Charleston’s Black history and culture. These sites include the old Citadel, a significant military institution with a complex past, as well as the Mother Emanuel AME Church, a prominent African American congregation with deep roots in the community.

The tour also explores:

• Old Bethal Church, a historic place of worship
• An African American grave site, a solemn reminder of the community’s enduring presence

The tour explores the former Slave Market, a chilling reminder of Charleston’s troubling history of slavery.

The tour explores the Wraggborough neighborhood itself, a vibrant area with a rich cultural heritage.

The tour explores various other sites that provide insights into the African American experience in Charleston.

Mother Emanuel AME Church

Mother Emanuel AME Church stands as a revered institution within Charleston’s African American community, serving as a pivotal center for worship, activism, and community engagement for over 200 years.

The historic church is known for its resilience, having endured numerous challenges, including a devastating fire and a horrific mass shooting in 2015.

Today, Mother Emanuel continues to be a beacon of hope and a symbol of the enduring spirit of Charleston’s Black population. Visitors to the church can explore its rich history, admire its stunning architecture, and feel the profound sense of community that permeates the space.

The church’s legacy as a hub of civil rights activism and religious devotion is a testament to the strength and perseverance of the African American experience in Charleston.

Old Bethal Church

Old Bethal Church stands as another historic African American institution in Charleston, tracing its origins back over a century. Established in the late 1800s, the church has long served as a vital hub for the city’s black community, providing a space for worship, community organizing, and civil rights activism.

Today, the church continues to be a center of spiritual and social life, with a vibrant congregation and active community outreach programs.

The church’s architecture reflects its rich history, with a stately sanctuary and ornate stained-glass windows.

Regular worship services, Bible studies, and youth programs draw members from across Charleston.

The church has hosted numerous civil rights leaders and activists over the years, including Martin Luther King Jr.

The church’s choir is renowned for its soulful and inspiring performances.

Community events, such as annual festivals and holiday celebrations, bring the neighborhood together.

African American Grave Site

Along With the historic churches, the tour also visits an African American grave site that serves as a somber reminder of Charleston’s complex racial history. This cemetery, long overlooked, preserves the final resting place of generations of the city’s black residents. Though simple in design, the headstones stand as poignant testaments to the lives and contributions of those interred here.

Grave Marker	Description
Headstones	Simple, unadorned markers denoting the deceased
Unmarked Graves	Countless individuals with no visible memorials

The tour guide shares the stories behind this sacred ground, inviting visitors to reflect on the enduring legacy of the African American community in Charleston.

Informative Commentary

As the tour winds through Wraggborough, the guide brings the neighborhood’s history to life with vivid and informative commentary. Sharing insights gleaned from extensive research, they regale visitors with captivating tales of the people, places, and events that have shaped this dynamic community over the decades.

• The pivotal role of the Old Bethal Church as a hub of civil rights activism
• The storied history of the Mother Emanuel AME Church, site of the tragic 2015 shooting

The architectural significance of the old Citadel and its connections to Charleston’s military past.

The moving stories behind the African American grave site and its importance as a place of reverence.

Insights into the diverse cultural influences that have contributed to Wraggborough’s rich heritage.

Tour Inclusions

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, though no alcoholic beverages are provided. This allows guests to explore the city in comfort and focus on the rich history and culture being presented.

The lack of alcoholic beverages ensures the tour maintains an educational and respectful tone, allowing participants to fully enjoy the experience.

The small-group format also enables the guide to provide personalized attention and answer any questions that arise along the way.

Meeting and End Point

The tour meets at the Charleston Visitor Center, located at 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403. At the end of the tour, participants are brought back to the original meeting point.

The tour experience includes:

• Convenient meeting location at the Charleston Visitor Center
• Efficient transportation to and from the tour sites
• Knowledgeable guide to provide historical context along the way
• Opportunity to explore the Wraggborough neighborhood and its landmarks
• Returning to the starting point for a seamless end to the tour

This guided evening ride/walk tour offers a comprehensive and engaging way to discover Charleston’s rich history and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Duration of the Walking Tour?

The walking tour lasts approximately 2-3 hours. The tour explores Charleston’s Wraggborough neighborhood, visiting landmarks like the old Citadel and African American grave sites while the guide provides informative commentary on the area’s black history and culture.

How Many People Are Typically in the Small Group?

The small-group black history walking tour in Charleston typically has a group size of around 15 people. This intimate group setting allows for more interaction with the knowledgeable guide and the opportunity to ask questions.

Is the Tour Suitable for Wheelchair Users or Those With Limited Mobility?

The tour may not be fully accessible for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility, as it involves walking around landmarks and uneven terrain. Visitors with accessibility needs should check with the tour provider before booking.

Can We Purchase Souvenirs or Local Crafts During the Tour?

During the black history walking tour, participants can purchase souvenirs or local crafts from some of the sites visited. However, the tour does not include scheduled stops for shopping, so any purchases would need to be made at the visitor’s discretion.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Limitations for the Tour Participants?

There are no age restrictions for this black history walking tour in Charleston. The small-group format allows participants of all ages to engage with the guide and learn about the city’s often overlooked African American heritage.

Recap

The Frankly Charleston Evening Ride/Walk Tour offers a captivating exploration of Charleston’s rich Black history and culture.

Led by knowledgeable local guides, the tour visits significant landmarks, providing intimate insights into the city’s complex racial past and the enduring resilience of the Black community.

With a small group size, the tour delivers an engaging and thought-provoking experience for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Charleston’s diverse heritage.