Old Slave Mart Museum

Old Slave Mart Museum Review

This is likely the only building still in existence that was used for slave auctioning, which ended in 1863. It is part of a complex called Ryan's Mart, which contains the slave jail, the kitchen, and the morgue. The history of Charleston's role in the slave trade is recounted here. As unpleasant as the slavery existence must have been, its history is vital, but not proud. Charleston once served as the center of commercial activity for the South's plantation economy, and slaves were the primary source of labor both within the city and on the surrounding plantations. The museum is on one of the few remaining cobblestone streets in town. Closed for years, it finally reopened in 2008 with updated exhibits.