Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, Charleston (must see)

This site at the corner of East Bay and Broad Streets has been pulling its weight since 1680—precisely when Charles Towne decided to relocate from its original settlement. The first structure on this spot was a practical one: downstairs, a guardhouse for locking up pirates and Native Americans, and upstairs, the upper hall for town meetings. Justice below, debate above—efficient, if not exactly comforting…

Then, the British stepped in with a firm intention “to make it look impressive.” The result was the Exchange building, completed in 1771 in full Palladian style—symmetry, columns, and just enough grandeur to remind everyone who was in charge. It quickly became the city’s main stage for everything that mattered: trade, politics, and public life. And in March 1776, standing right here on its steps, South Carolina declared itself an independent colony—so, yes, history didn’t just pass by, it made announcements.

The Revolutionary War brought a darker chapter. The building was turned into a British prison, holding, among others, even the signers of the Declaration of Independence. A decade later, in 1788, it hosted the convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution, and not long after, George Washington stopped by and was treated like the celebrity he was. For much of the 19th century, the building served as Charleston’s post office—first Federal, then Confederate—quietly handling letters while history kept unfolding around it.

Fast-forward to 1965, when excavations uncovered part of the original seawall from as early back as 1698—because, of course, this place still had more stories buried underneath. Today, it stands as a National Historic Landmark, open as a museum, with grand halls upstairs and something far more atmospheric below.

And yes, you can visit the Provost Dungeon, too, with costumed guides leading you through dim, echoing spaces where tales of pirates, prisoners, and colonial intrigue feel just close enough to be real. It is equal parts history lesson and theatrical experience—so, if stepping into an actual dungeon has ever crossed your mind, this is your moment.

One last thing: beyond the exhibits, there are occasional reenactments—complete with declarations and period flair—that bring the 1700s back to life. Not every day do you get to watch history rehearse itself on the very spot where it first happened...