Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
4.7(1.7K)google
4.3(130)yelp
EducationalHistoryIndoor
Overview
The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, also known as the Custom House, and The Exchange, is a historic building at East Bay and Broad Streets in Charleston, South Carolina. Built in 1767–1771, it has served a variety of civic institutional functions, including notably as a prisoner of war facility operated by British forces during the American Revolutionary War. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeOpen year-round, making it an excellent rainy-day or winter escape. Entering right at 9:00 AM upon opening on a weekday is best; this lets you dodge the large walking-tour crowds, granting a quiet environment to marvel at the grand upper assembly rooms before descending with docents into the chilling, historic provost dungeon.
Getting TherePerfectly placed at the historic intersection of 122 East Bay Street and Broad Street. Public transportation is effortless: take the free municipal CARTA DASH shuttle directly to the terminal stops block. For car travel, navigate into the municipal paid East Bay Street Parking Garage structure positioned steps away.
Travel Tips
- The Provost Dungeon is confined within the building's lowest historic cellar, featuring tight clearance, humidity above 90%, and no modern HVAC. Visitors with severe asthma, respiratory ailments, or claustrophobia should bypass the cellar to remain in the upper halls.
- East Bay St is a primary thoroughfare and strictly enforces an absolute no-parking/no-idling policy. Park one block away at the multi-level garage located at 140 East Bay St, and actively avoid the 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM commuter rush hour.
- Operated jointly by the State, DAR, and City, this landmark invalidates all federal park passes. The final guided dungeon tour departs sharply at 4:15 PM; since cellar access requires an official guide escort, unbooked visitors must time arrivals accordingly.
Reviews
Positive
- The sense of history is striking. The costumed tour guides are highly professional and humorous, bringing the Revolutionary War-era dungeon history of Charleston to life.
- The basement dungeon is remarkably well-preserved. The dark and damp atmosphere instantly transports you back to the 18th century, offering both fun and education.
- The ticket price is very reasonable, covering both the grand constitutional hall on the top floor and the guided dungeon tour. It's a fantastic value for its rich historical merit.
- The interior management is well-organized with clear accessible paths and multilingual exhibits. The excellent A/C makes it a great escape from Charleston's outdoor heat.
Heads up
- Due to preserving its original state, the dungeon area is cramped, low-ceilinged, and has poor ventilation, which might cause discomfort for claustrophobic visitors.
- The dungeon section can only be visited by joining a scheduled guided tour. Missing the slot means a long wait in the lobby, preventing completely free self-guided exploration.
- Located in the busy historic downtown, the surrounding traffic is highly congested. The attraction lacks dedicated parking, making finding pricey street parking or public garages a headache.
- During peak tourist seasons, tour groups can be overly large, making the narrow dungeon feel crowded and making it difficult for visitors in the back to hear the guide.