Powder Magazine (Charleston, South Carolina) facts for kids
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Powder Magazine
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 79 Cumberland St., Charleston, South Carolina |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1713 |
| Architectural style | Colonial |
| Part of | Charleston Historic District (ID66000964) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001200 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 5, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | September 27, 1989 |
| Designated NHLDCP | October 9, 1960 |
The Powder Magazine is a special building in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It was built a long time ago, in 1713. This makes it the oldest public building still standing in what used to be the Province of Carolina. For many years, it was used to store gunpowder, especially during the American Revolutionary War. Today, the Powder Magazine is a museum. It helps people learn about history. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America has run it as a museum since the early 1900s. It was recognized as a very important historical place, a National Historic Landmark, in 1972.
Contents
What is the Powder Magazine?
The Charleston Powder Magazine is in the old part of Charleston. You can find it on Cumberland Street. It is a single-story building. Its walls are made of brick covered in stucco. These walls are super thick, about 32 inches (81 cm) wide! The roof is red tile and shaped like a pyramid.
How the Building Was Built
Each wall of the building has a large arch. The walls get thinner as they go up. They are three feet thick near the ground. But they are only a few inches thick near the top of the arch. This design was very clever.
Safety Features of the Building
The building has only a few doors. This was for safety. If the gunpowder inside ever exploded, most of the force would go out through the roof. The arches would act like funnels, directing the blast upwards. Sand was stored in the roof. This sand would fall and help put out any fire.
History of the Powder Magazine
The idea for this building came about in 1703. This was during a war called Queen Anne's War. The leaders of the Province of Carolina wanted to build strong defenses. The Powder Magazine was part of these plans. However, it took some time to build. It was finally finished in 1713.
Its Use as a Powder Store
For many years, the building was used to store gunpowder. It was especially important during the American Revolutionary War. Gunpowder was vital for soldiers and their weapons. After the war, the building was used for other things. For example, it was once a wine cellar for a man named Gabriel Manigault.
The Museum Today
In 1902, a group called the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America bought the building. They turned it into a museum. Today, you can visit the museum. It has old artifacts and displays. These displays teach you about the building's role. You can learn about the Colonial period and the American Revolution.
