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Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour provided by Tour Charleston

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Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour

See all things to do
See all things to do
Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour
5
94
By Tour Charleston
Book in advance
from
C$42.23
per adult
95% of travellers recommend this experience
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Full view
Tour snapshot
Walking tour of Charleston’s African American history
Duration:
2h
Taking Covid-19 safety measures
Group size:
20
Wheelchair accessible
Ticket type:
Mobile
Free cancellation
  • Duration:
    2h
  • Taking Covid-19 safety measures
  • Group size:
    20
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Ticket type:
    Mobile
  • Free cancellation
About
Hear the lost stories of African American residents during this unique walking tour of Charleston. Your guide shares forgotten tales of local heroes who were often left out of the history books. You’ll visit sites like the Old Slave Mart Museum and gain a deeper understanding of Charleston's role in the nation's history.
Know before you go
  • Duration: 2h
  • Mobile tickets accepted
Cancellation policy
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Available languages
English
Highlights
  • Licensed guide is a writer, historian, and educator
  • See historical sites such as the Old Slave Mart Museum
  • Hear powerful storytelling and be introduced to neighborhoods
What to expect
Know before you go
  • Duration: 2h
  • Mobile tickets accepted
Available languages
English
Cancellation policy
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Highlights
  • Licensed guide is a writer, historian, and educator
  • See historical sites such as the Old Slave Mart Museum
  • Hear powerful storytelling and be introduced to neighborhoods
What to expect
Need help booking?
Call the number below and use the product code: 11709P3
Important information
Inclusions
  • 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
Exclusions
  • Gratuities
  • Entry/Admission - Heyward-Washington House
  • Entry/Admission - Old Slave Mart Museum
Duration
2h
Departure details
  • Buxton Books & Tour Charleston Headquarters, 160 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA Departure Point: Tour Charleston Headquarters (inside Buxton Books) Address: 160 King Street Charleston, SC 29401
Additional information
  • 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 experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers
Inclusions
  • 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
Exclusions
  • Gratuities
  • Entry/Admission - Heyward-Washington House
  • Entry/Admission - Old Slave Mart Museum
Departure details
  • Buxton Books & Tour Charleston Headquarters, 160 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA Departure Point: Tour Charleston Headquarters (inside Buxton Books) Address: 160 King Street Charleston, SC 29401
Duration
2h
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point
Additional information
  • 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 experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers
Travel safe during COVID-19
Last updated: May 14, 2021
A note from Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour
Walking tours take place entirely outside and our guides will make sure groups are remaining 6ft apart from each other. Masks are encouraged during the tour and sanitizer is provided upon entrance of meeting spot at Buxton Books (160 King Street). Masks are required inside Buxton Books.
What you can expect during your visit
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
What you can expect during your visit
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    Buxton Books & Tour Charleston Headquarters
    160 King St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
    Departure Point: Tour Charleston Headquarters (inside Buxton Books) Address: 160 King Street Charleston, SC 29401
    See address & details
  • Pass by
    Tour Charleston
  • 1
    Charleston City Market
    Stop: 30 minutes
    See details
  • 2
    Heyward-Washington House
    Stop: 10 minutes - Admission excluded
    See details
  • 3
    Old Slave Mart Museum
    Stop: 15 minutes - Admission excluded
    See details
  • 4
    Joe Riley Waterfront Park
    Stop: 30 minutes
    See details
  • You'll return to the starting point
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
94 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
3
Terrible
1
becpittman
Austin, TX4 contributions
A true history of Charleston
Feb. 2022
This was a fantastic tour! Damon made the stories come to life, and he taught us so much history that isn't covered in school. It was really interesting to see how much history SC has (both good and bad) that is hidden. I would recommend this tour to all ages - there was an 8 year old in our group.
Written February 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Josh
Silver Spring, MD2 contributions
Not to be missed
Apr. 2022 • Solo
This was just impeccable and not to be missed on a trip to Charleston. Prof. Fordham is a gifted storyteller who brings his passion and personal experience to making the city come alive. There are a lot of walking tours in this city but this one is special.
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Crystal B
5 contributions
So good we ended up buying his book!
Mar. 2021 • Couples
YOU MUST GO ON THIS TOUR!!! The tour guide is extremely knowledgeable in Charleston history. He was able to take you back in time with his detailed and extremely interesting stories of Charleston’s slave history. My husband and I went on quite a few tours while we were visiting Charleston and none compared to this one. He doesn’t take you on the basic tour path to popular destination, he takes you on a much more personal, studied, authentic path and does not sugar coat the history. He really does a phenomenal job!!! So much so that most of our tour members ended up buying his books as well as myself! Best tour in town.
Written March 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Julie H
3 contributions
I would not recommend this tour . Waisted time having a planned bathroom break 20 minutes into the tour . Poor communica
Poor communicator . Planned bathroom break 20 minutes into the tour . ( waste of time , we are adults and know to use the bathroom before a tour ) He was most worried about where we stood on the sidewalk . Stopped talking every time a truck went by ( we were in the city so it was often ) He could only recite his info and couldn’t answer questions beyond what he told us ( it’s too confusing to explain ) Very disappointing .
Written April 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mike Evangelista
Murrells Inlet, SC1 contribution
Outstanding Tour
My wife and I participated in the Lost Stories of Black Charleston with Professor Fordham. The tour was outstanding as Professor Fordham provided information on Black Charleston not included in ordinary history classes. Stories included details on the man who started the first Charleston school for black children before the Civil War, the first orphanage for black children in Charleston and how music was an integral part of the curriculum, the first black owned funeral home in Charleston and how the owner accepted various forms of payment which allowed black families to bury their loved ones with dignity. Professor Fordham’s tour is unique as he performs music and impersonates some of the historical personalities. Professor Fordham shares unique historical details from his many years of research and is extremely friendly including allowing time for questions after each story. I purchased both of his books, which he kindly made time at the end of the tour to autograph, so I could learn more from him. I highly recommend Professor Fordham’s tour!
Written May 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
GFZimmer
Guilford, CT5 contributions
Indispensable to understanding Charleston
Nov. 2021
Damon Fordham is an expert teacher qnd guide. His tour is far-more than a review of famous sites of Charleston. He combines local history, legal history, social history, national history, and the continuing freedom movements into a moving narrative. Highly recommended.
Written November 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Molly L
Lexington, KY29 contributions
A must-do!
This walk should be on everyone’s to-do list. We went on a couple other Charleston history tours while vacationing, but this was by far the most informative. Damon is a professor & that is very clear in the way he talks about these stories. He really puts things into perspective about the history of Charleston that a lot of the other tours seem to gloss over or skip all together. This city [country] was built on the back of enslaved people & it is important that these stories are told & acknowledged. I highly recommend this tour to everyone who visits Charleston. My husband & I enjoyed it very much.
Written July 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Z.Douglas
Stockbridge, GA8 contributions
Excellent
Dec. 2020 • Couples
I loved being able to see buildings connected to history long ago, but the icing on the cake was the amazing knowledge that our tour guide possessed. I found myself feeling like a kid listening to the best book ever when he told and reenacted conversations and stories of these amazing people. I also recommend getting his book from the Buxton book store as well. It is a great read. I would definitely take this tour again and plan to.
Written December 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jazzb920
Jacksonville, FL5 contributions
Great tour! Damon is very knowledgeable and funny, definitely recommend!
I absolutely loved this tour! Damon is very knowledgeable and passionate about Charleston and it’s history. We were able to see so many historic sites throughout the downtown, and I learned so much about amazing history of Black people in this lovely city. Definitely recommend!
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Tyler G
5 contributions
A trip to Charleston is incomplete without this tour
Sep. 2020
Damon Fordham is so knowledgeable and a wondrous source of information. He also makes history feel personal and easier to grasp. His passion for what he does floods this tour which gives you a deeper, richer perspective on the city of Charleston.
Written September 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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By: Tour Charleston
1,484
holliboydwhite
holliboydwhite
00
Do not miss this!
Greg is amazing. I loved his energy and enthusiasm. I can't wait to go back and do the other tours! I learned not j…
Shannon C
Shannon C
00
Engaging storytelling
Simon was a great storyteller. This tour was very engaging and I would highly recommend booking this trip if you ar…
jmiller613
jmiller613
00
great evening in Charleston
had the best time with Greg - perfect historical tour and entertainment combination — complete with great ghost sto…
TrailBlazer218590
TrailBlazer218590
00
Not too scary stories
The guide was upbeat, polite and worked hard to engage the group. The walk is not long/far and doable for all ages.…
KatieCarter24
KatieCarter24
00
Awesome Experience
Absolutely loved this tour! Simon was an amazing host and storyteller. The stories were so detailed and I loved see…
Alex K
Alex K
00
If you love ghost stories and ghost tours this is your one!
Amazing! Got to learn so much history and of course awesome ghost stories! Loved going to the church and design the…
809jacquem
809jacquem
00
Great outing in Charleston
Our tour guide, Jonathan, was outstanding. We enjoyed the tour, it was interesting and very entertaining.
BCWBrighton
BCWBrighton
00
Great history/ghost tour
Mr. Neal was a great story teller. Really enjoyed the mix of history with ghosts. Excellent experience!
mtclose11
mtclose11
00
Truly Exciting!!!!
My wife and I wanted to have a fun date night that was different from the norm. Being from Charleston we had heard…
meghanz1232022
meghanz1232022
00
Awesome Ghost Tour
We attended the Ghosts of Charleston tour and Joe was our tour guide. He was awesome! He was energetic and kept eve…
Journey815425
Journey815425
00
Buxton Books Ghost Tour in Charleston
Jonathan was great! Kept the groups attention throughout was very informative about Charleston’s history and provid…
laurawK5341VI
laurawK5341VI
00
Friday Night Ghosts
WOW! This was a lot of fun on a Friday evening! We were lucky enough to have Coleman as our Guide. He was excell…
wistarw2021
wistarw2021
00
Coleman is a terrific and poetic ghost-whisperer!!
Coleman took us on our Ghost Tour - can’t say enough about him! Knowledgeable, engaging, enthusiastic, and a terrif…
tommyhV6420TK
tommyhV6420TK
00
Worth it!
Jonathan was our tour guide. He was witty and engaging with high energy. I appreciated how he mixed in the history…
callmechristopher888
callmechristopher888
00
Enchanting, Mesmerizing, Spell-Binding with Coleman!
Charleston truly is a city with replete with splendor and rich history...but experiencing this Southern gem at nigh…
Frequently Asked Questions about Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour
Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour price starts from C$41.14. Discover and book Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour on Tripadvisor
Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour on Tripadvisor
Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour is hosted by Tour Charleston. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Tour Charleston on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Lost Stories of Black Charleston Walking Tour on Tripadvisor