Fort Sumter Audio Guide
Explore Fort Sumter with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
A historic sea fort located in Charleston, South Carolina. It is notable as the site where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired.
What you will hear
Arrival at the Island Fortress
Establishes the setting and the fort's isolated position in Charleston Harbor as visitors arrive by ferry.
The Island Fortress
Welcome to one of the most significant military sites in American history, an isolated fortress standing in the center of Charleston Harbor.
The Parade Ground and Garrison Monument
The central hub of the fort, where the daily life of the soldiers took place and where the Garrison Monument now honors the defenders.
Garrison Monument
This plaque commemorates the 85 men who formed the Union garrison during the opening engagement of the American Civil War.
The First Bombardment and Casemates
Focuses on the 34-hour battle that started the Civil War and the physical damage sustained by the brick walls.
Battle of Fort Sumter
Archival images capture the significant damage within the walls following the Union surrender in April 1861.
The First Shot
The peace of Charleston Harbor was shattered at 4:30 in the morning on April 12, 1861, when the first mortar shell was launched.
Fort Sumter Museum
Provides a deeper look at the fort's original 1829 design and the symbolic importance of the garrison flag.
The Original Vision
Detailed models reveal the architectural ambition for the fort before the realities of wartime shortages intervened.
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