Tucked away on Chalmers Street in downtown Charleston sits the Old Slave Mart Museum, an attraction which recounts the slave trade in South Carolina during the 19th century. Upon arriving to the museum, one is greeted by a knowledgeable worker who explains the layout of the museum. The greeter is sure to point out that once international slave trade became illegal, domestic slave trade within the U.S. began, meaning that the slaves sold at the site of the Old Mart Museum were American born. The museum itself is quite small, yet the site offers an abundance of information and artifacts for spectators to read, observe, and learn from. The first floor of the museum contains walls which are filled with interesting graphics and timelines, while speakers play sound effects which display the sounds of shackles clanging and auctioneers conducting trades. The second floor of the museum is similar to the first, containing more boards filled with historical background, as well as more displays and information.
The Price of a Human Being graphic at the Old Slave Mart Museum
The Old Slave Mart Museum’s mission states, “Our mission, to broaden people’s understanding of Charleston’s role as a slave-trading center during the domestic slave trade, enables us to reach out to our community, and all those whose ancestors’ lives were shaped or changed here.” Like sources such as the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, the Old Slave Mart Museum possesses a mission to provide people with reliable perspectives that capture the horrors of slavery. The museum’s strong dedication to educate both locals and tourists about the history of Charleston’s slave trade displays a sort of resilience, as well as a valiant effort to preserve a significant aspect of the city’s history. Through its detailed timeline of the slave trade, the museum reveals how slave trade transitioned from the streets to indoor showrooms, and how Ryan’s Mart, one of the most important sales locations, functioned and was ran. From July of 1856 to 1863, Ryan’s Mart helped facilitate the most important and well-known slave trade in the city. Since the last sale in 1863, the location of the mart has been used for a variety of purposes, including a shoemaking store and an auto sales shop. The site formally became a museum in 1938.
Diorama of Ryan’s Mart
This historical site provides an accurate, in-depth look at slave trade. Visitors of the museum receive proper historical accounts and facts that reveal all aspects of the historical significance of the site. There seems to be a significant effort to give visitors a relevant and accurate depiction of the slave trade that occurred in Charleston. There does not appear to be any omissions regarding its interpretation of history and what occurred at Ryan’s Mart.
In my personal opinion, the Old Slave Mart Museum reinforces the Southern stereotype of hospitality, while challenging the stereotype that southerners are less educated. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by three different friendly employees who expressed warmth and hospitality. In addition, one of the employees in particular was extremely knowledgeable and educated on the contents of the museum. The information which he shared was delivered in an eloquent and intelligent manner.
Enjoying my visit to the Old Slave Mart Museum
The site of the museum is located at the exact site where Ryan’s Mart was located, allowing visitors to the museum an even greater appreciation for the history that is being shared. The intimate nature of the museum delivers a sense of purpose and a somewhat lingering sorrow, adding to the site’s importance and allowing visitors a look into what life was like during the slave trade. There is a clear attempt to inform people that the South acknowledges its past and wants to honor those who were affected by the injustices that occurred.
By: Elizabeth Clarke