The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, Charleston, South Carolina

[sksvlad]

This is the first large building built by the British right at the water edge. They needed a large imposing building for the ships to recognise and maneuver to unload their cargo, sort of like a Pharos without a huge flame. They wanted the building to be white to reflect the sun so the sailors could see it with ease at a long distance at sea. The goods were unloaded and sold/exchanged. That explains the first half of this museum's name. The second half, Provost Dungeon, was its use as military jail. The prisoners were fed very poorly and they came out looking like skeletons, which originated the myth of a Dungeon. Nobody was really tortured there. This building was built right on water edge. But now it stands maybe quarter mile away from water. How come? All this land on which you walk to the ocean is land fill, discarded ballasts of ships which came empty to pick up cargo. This gives you an idea of the trade magnitude and importance of Charleston as a port.


I hope you've liked the tour!!!!!