2. City Gallery   
34 Prioleau Street
Waterfront Park

The City Gallery presents a modern appearance amidst its historical surroundings. Its mission is to broaden the focus of art in Charleston by offering access to contemporary fine art for local, regional, national, an international professional artists. The gallery is owned by the City of Charleston, but is operated by the Office of Cultural Affairs. The large facility presents six to eight exhibitions each year. Also not to be missed is the City Gallery exhibition of local artists located within the Dock Street Theater.

3. Farmers Exchange Building   
141 East Bay Street
circa 1854

The Farmers and Exchange Bank, an historic landmark, is an example of Moorish Revival architecture that evolved from English Regency architecture and the only Moorish Revival building in Charleston. Designed by Edward D. Jones and Francis D. Lee, both notable Charleston architects, the building was completed in 1854. Typical of the eclectic Moorish style are horseshoe arches and the banded facade, produced by using two different varieties of brownstone from New Jersey and Connecticut.

4. Old Exchange Custom House & Provost Dungeon   
122 East Bay Street
circa 1767-1771

The “Half Moon Battery” and “Court of Guard” once stood on this spot. Numerous criminals and pirates, including the “Gentleman Pirate”, Stede Bonnet, were residents of its famed dungeon. The current building (erected 1771) was home to political meetings regarding the hated Stamp and Tea Acts during the Revolution. The British put some of those same protestors in the jail beneath. In 1791 Charleston honored George Washington by throwing a ball at the Exchange. A Confederate post office, U.S. government office, and the present-day Museum make it one of the three most historic buildings in the U.S.

5. South Carolina National Bank of Charleston   
16 Broad Street
circa 1817

The South Carolina National Bank of Charleston is one of the most important buildings on Broad Street, South Carolina’s oldest commercial street. It has been in continuous use as a bank since it was constructed in 1817. In the early 19th century, Charleston ranked high enough as a commercial center to have a branch of the Second Bank of the United States, whose charter was drawn up by John C. Calhoun, the state’s preeminent statesman. The smooth, clean stucco exterior is accentuated by simple arched and rectangular window and door openings. A gold leaf eagle still adorns the gable of the front of the bank, as it has since 1817.

6. The Old Slave Mart   
6 Chalmers Street
circa 1859

Ryan’s Slave Mart once stood near this location. Its front faced nearby Queen Street and the yard extending to modern day Chalmers street. Here enslaved Africans were sold as commodities in an auction setting to the highest bidder. This building went through various uses and has been established by the city as a museum. The focus of the museum is on the domestic slave trade and the impact it had on the traders, buyers and the slaves. During the antebellum period, Charleston served as a center of commercial activity for the South’s plantation economy, which depended heavily upon slaves as a source of labor.