A Brief History of the Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon

When one begins a conversation about history, those involved will immediately think to things of “yore.” The conversation will almost invariably go to persons, places or things no longer here.

Charleston is renowned for being a city of living history because of its long life and rich culture. There are many places in the city which can illustrate this idea, but none more evident than the Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon at the intersection of East Bay and Broad Streets.

Few historical “dignitaries” of Charleston are as well-known or kept as is the Exchange building. Built between 1767 and 1771, the 250+ year old structure has seen its share of damage from use, weather, and warfare. It has also been utilized by merchants, moneychangers, mariners, ministers, and even one president.

The building was used throughout its life as a customshouse, a public meeting place and market, a prison and barracks, and a museum.

It was built to facilitate trade of a local, national, and international scale. Under British control in its infancy, the exchange was the center of most notable trading in the Southern colonies. The British had no qualms using it for storing confiscated goods and captured revolutionaries until 1782. The colonists used it in 1774 for the Provincial Congress of South Carolina.

After the revolution, the old Exchange was used as the colony’s meeting place for the ratification of the “new” U.S. Constitution. Charleston also hosted General George Washington for a week during his Southern tour of the new country. He was greeted by the masses with great ceremony on the steps of the Exchange Building.

Following the revolution, and into the 19th century, the building became a U.S. post office until the Civil War. During the early days leading to Charleston’s entry into the war, the postmaster was moved to defend the handling and delivery of abolitionists’ pamphlets. The confederacy continued to utilize the post office until it was heavily damaged during the shelling of the city which forced its abandonment.

The Daughters of the American Revolution were granted ownership in 1913 and have maintained the structure with improvements since. The Olde Exchange has given much to the city, endured much because of its relationship to the city, and provided much in the way of its history and significance. Maintenance has been a challenge due to the age and location of the building. Hurricanes, war, and earthquakes have not taken it down but have only strengthened the resolve to have it continue in service to Charleston.

World Wars I and II saw the return of administrative and general use thus continuing its strong defense of Charleston. Since the site is of such historical renown, it goes without saying that archeologists are still digging up more history. Ongoing investigations have discovered the protective Half-Moon battery underneath the building (1965) as well as shown that the dungeon was not the only portion of the structure to house prisoners (2013).

Guided tours and mechanized displays have entertained visitors for many years by telling the stories of pirates, prisoners and presidents in the place where they all became a real part of Charleston history. In this case, all that history is not gone nor forgotten.

~ David Joyner