The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Description:
Charleston Area National Parks:
*Fort Sumter: America's most tragic conflict ignited at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, when a chain reaction of social, economic and political events exploded into civil war. At the heart of these events was the issue of states rights versus federal authority flowing over the underlying issue of slavery. Accessible by tour boat from Charleston or Mount Pleasant.
*Fort Moultrie: Fort Moultrie's history covers 171 years (1776 to 1947) of seacoast defense, including the first decisive victory in the American Revolution and the firing onto Fort Sumter during the first battle of the Civil War. The third Fort Moultrie, built in 1809, can be toured daily.
*Charles Pinckney: The historic site interprets life on the Snee Farm plantation, Pinckney's role in the development of the United States Constitution and the transition of the United States from a group of colonies to a young nation.

History:
On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service, a new federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible for protecting the 40 national parks and monuments then in existence and those yet to be established. Yellowstone National Park was the first national public park, established by an act of Congress on March 1, 1872.

Contact people:

Gary Alexander, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Dawn Davis, Chief Ranger, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (843) 883-3910

Address:

1214 Middle Street Sullivan's Island, SC 29482 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/fosu

Directions:

Take SC 703 (Coleman Blvd/Ben Sawyer Blvd) to Sullivan's Island and proceed to the stop sign. Make a right on Middle Street, proceed 1.5 miles to Fort Moultrie. Parking and the Visitor Center are on the right.