After visiting Charles Pinckney's house we headed towards the water to take a ferry to Fort Sumter. There were two departure points for visiting the fort and we picked Patriots Point which turned out to be a great choice as we got some good views before and after departure. The ferry docks very near and then goes around the USS Yorktown. I definitely want to take a trip back to the area at some point and explore the Yorktown and the rest of Patriots Point.
We didn't know exactly what to expect, but we knew that we wouldn't have too much time at the fort with the ferry schedule, but we figured that with young kids we wouldn't want to spend all day there (even if I could have had I been there on my own).
Since the American Revolution, Americans have built systems of forts at harbors along the coast to strengthen maritime defenses. Following the War of 1812, several major weaknesses in the American coastal defense system were identified. To fill these voids, Congress and the US Army Corps of Engineers planned the construction of around 200 fortifications, primarily located along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Maine to Louisiana. Over 40 fortifications were built before construction halted with the outbreak of the American Civil War. These forts are collectively known as the Third System of Seacoast Defense. Charleston Harbor made the list of sites vulnerable to attack, prompting the construction of Fort Sumter. Construction on the man-made island began in 1829.
--from Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie NHP website
It was a fairly crowded day with several school/scout groups if I recall correctly.
We caught a glimpse of the Yorktown as we were waiting.
There were many people waiting in the queue.
Once we got moving it didn't take too long for us to board the boat.
We had a great view of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge that spans the river just to the north.
When I spotted this seagull I have to take a shot and I think it turned out well, I just wish I'd been able to zoom in on him while taking the photo.
Before too long we started moving, heading around the USS Yorktown (as seen above). The ferry had some signs to begin to introduce you to the fort. Did you know that it looks virtually nothing like it did during the Civil War? It was actually a part of the U.S. coastal defense system until after World War II.
The boat even had a snack counter on board, though we'd bought our own snacks.
I wandered around the boat to see what I could see and also where I could get a good view. Quite a few people were in the bow.
Eventually we could spy the island in the distance.
Most of the chairs on board were just plastic lawn chairs arranged in rows on the deck.
Every minute the fort came closer into view.
Since I'm involved in making so many signs at work I enjoy taking pictures of signs when I'm on vacation.
Finally we could spy another ferry at the dock waiting to depart.
Here you can see what the approach was like (and hear all of the warnings that had to be given).
Once we got close enough I was able to get a picture of just the fort--but the lighting wasn't great.
The boat docks just offshore from the actual island and you walk over a pier/bridge to the island.
Did you know that the fort was "built on an island of over 50,000 tons of granite shipped from New York and New England"? (more info here)
Once on land you are greeted by the old name of the National Park site before it was updated in 2019 to include Fort Moultrie.
I'll leave off this post at this point and save our actual tour of the fort for next time.
On the day after we arrived in Charleston we had a busy day planned. There were several sites that we wanted to see. The first one we headed to see was on the mainland, to the east of downtown. We drove out to the house of one of the signers of the Constitution, Charles Pinckney.
Charles Pinckney was a principal author and signer of the United States Constitution. This remnant of his coastal plantation is preserved to tell the story of a "founding father," his life of public service, the lives of enslaved African Americans on South Carolina Lowcountry plantations and their influences on Charles Pinckney.
--from Charles Pinckney NHS website
We arrived at the site before it opened to the public for the day, so we wandered around next to the parking lot for a time enjoying the trees.
You pass through a picnic shelter with attached restrooms when heading over to the main area.
Several signs outside set the stage for learning more about Pinckney.
He isn't someone most people remember learning about in history class.
There are so many gorgeous trees on the property.
The current house dates from 1828 with wings added in the 1930s. However, it stands on the same spot as the original house that Pinckney occupied.
Through archaeology, we have learned that the Pinckney-era structures (1754-1817) that once stood in this part of Snee Farm were razed sometime in the early 19th century. The current theory is that one or more hurricanes may have damaged the farmhouse, kitchen, and other outbuildings... Today modern bricks are used to outline the Pinckney kitchen and farmhouse dependencies.
--from exhibit signage
The main house has two wings attached on either side.
Inside is a small gift shop as well as a number of exhibits.
Interestingly for the state that later produced John C. Calhoun, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were all very nationalistic.
I was fascinated to discover that Pinckney loved books and that he had over 20,000 works.
With the house as a backdrop, and because no physical structures from Pinckney ownership of the property remain, the National Park Service emphasizes discoveries from archaeological investigations to tangibly connect the Pinckneys to Snee Farm and to provide evidence of the cultural environment that influenced Pinckney and the first decades of the United States as a young nation.
--from Charles Pinckney NHS website
This map of the colony is fascinating to look at the different divisions, for example Ninety Six Judicial District that corresponds to the area containing Ninety Six National Historic Site today.
Coiled sweetgrass baskets, made from native plant materials, are another West African tradition that was brought to South Carolina. The baskets were used all over the lowcountry by both whites and blacks.
--from exhibit signage
After we'd seen the exhibits inside we headed out the other side of the house to explore more of the grounds.
More trees.
I believe these were the remnants of an old well.
These were indigo plants which used to be big business in South Carolina.
You can see more pictures of the site in this album. After leaving we headed back to the waterfront so that we could take a ferry ride out to an island. Read more about that trip soon.
After walking around Fort Moultrie we also took the opportunity to see the local beach on Sullivan's Island.
Sullivan’s Island is a two and a half-mile long barrier island near the entrance of the Charleston Harbor. It is home to a little over 2,000 residents in half as many households. Residents enjoy the small-town charm and relaxed lifestyle that the Island has to retained since first being settled in the 17th Century. We are well known for our pristine beaches, award-winning restaurants, and close-knit community. Sullivan's Island was settled in the late 17th Century by Captain Florence O'Sullivan while he was stationed as a lookout. It has a strong military background having been the site of a major Revolutionary War battle, The Battle of Sullivan's Island, as well as being involved in the first shots of the American Civil War.
--from Sullivan's Island website
Did you know that the island was involved in the American Revolution?
This is also where the nickname "The Palmetto State" came from.
We started walking through the grass towards the beach.
When we got close we were able to see the expanse of sand on the shore. You can see a 360° view here.
The kids were excited to be able to walk around on the beach.
However, we didn't get into the water.
I think this was a jellyfish that washed up on the beach.
Before too long we headed back towards the car.
We could see Fort Moultrie off to the side.
There was another marker with some more history of the island.
I picked up this book in an AbeBooks order back in 2018. I don't recall the exact circumstances of why I picked it up. It might have been because I was reading a similar book of his nonfiction and decided to procure this one to go along with it.
Regardless I started reading this book again not too long ago and have been going through it somewhat slowly, reading a chapter or two a night and I recently finished it so I thought I'd go ahead and review it here.
No one knows science fiction as well as Isaac Asimov, the bestselling author of the FOUNDATION saga and many other classic works. He has taken part in all the significant developments and knows most of the important writers personally. His familiarity with the history of sf is unsurpassed, including UTOPIA, FRANKENSTEIN, the stories of Jules Verne and the concerns of today's writers. ASIMOV ON SCIENCE FICTION is just that: the Grand Master's views on his subject. There is no other book like it.
--from Goodreads
The book is a series of non-fiction essays that were composed by Isaac Asimov over the course of many years divided into the following sections.
Science Fiction in General
The Writing of Science Fiction
The Predictions of Science Fiction
The History of Science Fiction
Science Fiction Writers
Science fiction Fans
Science Fiction Reviews
Science Fiction and I
I enjoyed reading through this work, though it is certainly very different from Asimov's science fiction works. He was a very prolific author, not only of science fiction, but also many non-fiction works. In addition he frequently wrote essays, columns, or introductions and many of those were the source of this book's chapters. Each chapter/piece includes an introduction that tells where the piece originally appeared or who commissioned the writing of it.
I enjoyed the insights both into Asimov's life but also the early years of the science fiction community from a man who was an acknowledged "old-timer" and grand master of the genre. The book is definitely a product of its time and the author. He was an early member of the science fiction community who didn't live to see many of the changes it has undergone in recent years. But as a historian I really enjoyed seeing his perspective. Be aware that while essays are grouped by topic this is a collection of disparate items linked just by the author and general subject matter of science fiction.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Summary: A series of non-fiction essays on various aspects and subjects of Science Fiction.
Technical: Copyright 1981. 334 pages, hardcover with dust jacket. Includes an introduction to each of 55 different essays in eight different categories.
