122 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Voice: 843-727-2165
Web Site: www.oldexchange.com

The Old Exchange Building, built from 1767-71, is the last building that the British Colonial Government built in the American Colonies. It shows the British desire for elegance in this Palladian architecture. It was built for the purpose of public meetings, entertainment, and the office of the King's Custom's Collector.

The Exchange Floor on the entry level was originally an open-air arcade. The original stone floor that you now find in the lobby had ran the entire first floor. On display during our visit is the Special Collection on loan from the Society of Colonial Dames in the State of South Carolina.

On the Second Floor is the Great Hall that was built to be the social center of the city. In 1773 the town's citizens met here to protest the Tea Act. In 1774 South Carolina's delegates to the Continental congress were elected from this room. Later in 1788, South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the United States Constitution in the Great Hall. When President George Washington visited the city in 1791 the Great Hall was used for a celebration of the new country.

In 1780 the town fell into the hands of the British. After the siege the upper two floors were used as Headquarters for His Majesties' Army. A series of Proclamations were issued that led to the arrest of many of the town's prominent citizens. They were seized from their homes and brought here to the dark, dank cellar. The cellar was used as a dungeon for two years until the British fled the city in 1782.

KAT'S VIEW