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 really old building in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It was finished in 1713. This makes it the oldest public building still standing from the time when South Carolina was a British colony. Its main job was to store gunpowder safely, especially during the American Revolutionary War. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about its history. The Powder Magazine was recognized as a special National Historic Landmark in 1972. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America has been taking care of it as a museum since the early 1900s.
What is the Powder Magazine?
The Powder Magazine is in the old part of Charleston. You can find it on Cumberland Street. It is a single-story building shaped like a square. Its walls are made of brick covered in stucco. These walls are very thick, about 32 inches (81 cm) wide.
How it was Built and Used
The roof of the building is shaped like a pyramid. It has parts that stick out, making it look unique. Each wall of the building has a large arch. The walls get thinner as they go up towards the top of the arch. They change from three feet thick near the ground to just a few inches thick at the very top.
There are only a few doors in the building. This design was very smart for safety. If there was an explosion inside, most of the force would go out through the roof. The arches would act like funnels, helping the force escape. Sand stored in the roof would then fall down. This sand would help put out any fire.
The idea to build this magazine came about in 1703. This was during a time called Queen Anne's War. It was part of building defenses for the colony. However, the building was not fully finished until 1713. It was used to store gunpowder until late in the American Revolutionary War.
A Museum Today
After the war, the building was used for different things. For example, it was once a wine cellar. In 1902, a group called the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America bought the building.
Since then, they have turned it into a museum. The museum shows many old items. It also has displays about the building's role during the Colonial period. You can learn about its importance during the American Revolution too.
See also
