Charleston's Strong Women of the South History Tour

The women who owned Charleston, told by someone who knows their names

Charleston's Strong Women of the South History Tour is a two-hour guided walk through the city's founding from the perspective of the women—of every color—who controlled its wealth, shaped its culture and left their mark on its streets. The tour includes entry to the Philip Simmons House and the Halsey Gallery of Contemporary Art, and runs at noon or 3pm with a live English-speaking guide. Minimum age is 13.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Charleston's strong women history

• Hear stories of bold women
• Visit Wentworth Mansion area
• Learn about Charleston's matriarchs

The Experience

You start at the alleged execution site of America's First Female Serial Killer, standing in the exact spot where her story begins—and where you get to decide whether she was a killer or a woman protecting her rights. From there, the tour moves through the homes and sites of the "Old Maids," Women's Rights Activists, Printers, Artisans, Madams, Shopkeepers, and Plantation owners, uncovering what they built and the contradictions they lived with. The guide walks you past the Wentworth Mansion, the largest-standing palace in the city, and asks the question that reframes everything: who were the most important women that lived on this street?

The tour visits the mother of old Charles Town, the mother of America, and the mother of modern Charleston—three women whose stories are usually written over by modern history. You'll see the homes and shops these women owned, the businesses they ran, and the ways they shaped a city that is, according to this tour's premise, the matriarchal capital of the western world. Entry to the Philip Simmons House at 30-1/2 Blake Street and the Halsey Gallery of Contemporary Art at 161 Calhoun Street are included, so you move inside the spaces where these stories lived.

What’s included

• Live guide in English.
• entry to the Philip Simmons House at 30-1/2 Blake Street.
• entry to the Halsey Gallery of Contemporary Art at 161 Calhoun Street.
• walking tour of the homes and sites of Charleston's founding women.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Holy City History Tours

Is this one for you?Book the noon departure if you want to explore the city's women's history before the afternoon crowds; the 3pm slot works better if you're arriving mid-day or prefer a later start. The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels, so mobility or stamina won't hold you back from the full two hours.

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Top questions

What is the Philip Simmons House and why does it matter to this tour?

The Philip Simmons House at 30-1/2 Blake Street is one of two museum stops included in the tour, and entry is part of your ticket. The tour uses it to illustrate the homes and contributions of the women who built Charleston.

Can I take this tour if I'm visiting Charleston for the first time?

Yes. The tour is designed to reframe Charleston's founding story from scratch, so you don't need prior knowledge of the city. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible throughout.

How long is the Strong Women of the South tour and when does it run?

The tour runs for two hours and departs at either 12:00pm or 3:00pm—you choose your preferred time at checkout. Both departures cover the same route and sites.

Is there a minimum age for this tour?

Yes, the minimum age is 13. The tour discusses historical violence and difficult subjects, so the age requirement reflects the content's maturity level.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide for the full two hours, entry to the Philip Simmons House, and entry to the Halsey Gallery of Contemporary Art at 161 Calhoun Street. Transportation between stops is on foot.