Touch the Elbow - Blogging the Civil War

Beaufort, SC was home to a lot of Civil War history. Unfortunately most have disappeared over time. There are some things still around, the remains of a battery, a sign post or two marking important events. There is a building called the Arsenal originally built in 1798 with additions in 1852 and 1930’s. Fortunately when built, it was done to last and although not treated as kindly as other places, it has still survived.



When Hilton Head Island (a short boat ride away from Beaufort) fell to the Union early in the war, most citizens fled Beaufort, leaving their homes and property (including slaves) behind – heading to the mainland. When the Union forces moved to Beaufort a month later, the officers would take over the waterfront homes and use the Arsenal as their military headquarters.

Now it is the home to the Beaufort Museum. As a child I remember it as a dusty old place with a haphazard collection of artifacts. It would slowly transfer to a much better place through my teenager and young adult years.

Today as I read the local newspaper through the magic of the Internet, I was glad to see the following article detailing how it was about to get some love. I actually tried to take my two kids there recently but they had already closed for preparation of fixing the place up.

If only the area had taken care to the other sites over time.

You can view a pretty decent write up of The Arsenal and the museum by going here