Did you know the British laid siege to Charlestown during the Revolutionary War and occupied it for 2 1/2 years?

In hindsight, it might seem easier to tell our Revolutionary history in a digestible but oversimplified “us versus them”, patriots versus the British narrative. But Charleston has a unique story to tell that speaks to the complexities of wartime South Carolina beyond the heroics of patriot leaders and failures of the British. 

The new research presented on this page was sponsored by the National Society for The Colonial Dames in The State of South Carolina, funded by the SC250 Commission, and undertaken by Butler Preservation. It shares an inclusive history of life in Charleston under British control, exploring the positive and negative aspects of occupation, the built environment/places of activity, and providing vignettes of the experiences of the city’s occupants. Charleston had a diverse population including enslaved Africans and African Americans, Native Americans, free people of color, elite whites, women, children, tradespeople, and working-class Charlestonians of various religions, ethnicities, and political ideologies. 

Learning more about their stories and experiences helps residents and visitors understand the community in which we live, a community that is deeply shaped by our history. We encourage you to read or download the report, “British Occupied Charleston, 1780-1872: Diverse Experiences and Daily Life in a Divided City” by Christina Butler, watch her lecture overview and take a closer look at some of the other materials we have assembled on this page.