Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon: Charleston History
The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon stands at 122 East Bay Street in Charleston, South Carolina, a stately Georgian building that has witnessed centuries of the city's history. Constructed between 1767 and 1771, it was designed by William Rigby Naylor and built by master masons Peter and John Horlbeck. Originally a customs house for a bustling port, it has also served as a city hall, post office, and military headquarters.
A Center of Revolution
The building quickly became a focal point for revolutionary fervor. In 1773, colonists protested the British tea tax by seizing tea and storing it in the building's basement. In a separate incident, another tea cargo was dumped into the Cooper River. On August 5, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read from the Exchange's steps to the citizens of South Carolina, marking a pivotal moment in the state's history.
The Provost Dungeon
During the British occupation of Charleston from 1780 to 1782, the building's basement was converted into a military prison known as the Provost Dungeon. It held American Patriots, including three signers of the Declaration of Independence—Arthur Middleton, Edward Rutledge, and Thomas Heyward, Jr.—as well as common criminals and British soldiers. Unbeknownst to the occupiers, Patriot General William Moultrie had successfully hidden 10,000 pounds of gunpowder in a bricked-up section of the basement, where it remained undiscovered throughout the war.
A New Nation and Complex Legacy
After the war, the Exchange continued to play a central role in the new nation. In its Great Hall, South Carolina's convention ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788. Three years later, in 1791, President George Washington was entertained with lavish events in the same hall during his visit to Charleston.
The site also reflects a darker aspect of American history. The open lot on its north side was a prominent location for public slave auctions, a practice that continued until an 1856 ordinance moved sales indoors. The building's history is also marked by an 1835 incident where, while serving as a post office, a mob seized and burned abolitionist pamphlets, an event that highlighted the intense regional conflicts over slavery.
Preservation and Modern Museum
Damaged during the 1886 earthquake, the building faced potential demolition in the early 20th century. It was saved by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who acquired it to ensure its preservation. The Old Exchange was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973 and opened as a museum in 1981 after extensive restoration.
Today, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon operates as a non-profit museum focused on colonial Charleston and the American Revolution. Archaeological work in 1965 also uncovered the remains of the 1698 Half-Moon Battery, part of the original city wall, which is now visible to the public beneath the building.
FAQ
What is the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon?
It is a historic building in Charleston, SC, that has served as a customs house, city hall, and a Revolutionary War prison. Today, it is a museum dedicated to Charleston's colonial and revolutionary history.
Why is the basement called the Provost Dungeon?
During the British occupation of Charleston from 1780-1782, the British military converted the basement into a prison, or "provost," to incarcerate American Patriots and others.
What significant events happened at the Old Exchange?
The Declaration of Independence was read from its steps in 1776, South Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution in its Great Hall in 1788, and President George Washington was entertained there in 1791.
Who owns the Old Exchange building today?
The South Carolina Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) owns the building, having acquired it in the early 20th century to preserve it. The City of Charleston manages the museum operations.
