“Uncovering Reconstruction: Interpreting Sites of Reconstruction History in Charleston, South Carolina, 1865- 1877” is a digital tour that attempts to uncover the history of the Reconstruction period and make it more accessible. By understanding how Reconstruction affected Charleston, we can all make better sense of racial and socioeconomic issues affecting the city today.

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Most heritage and history organizations in Charleston fail to publicly address the city's history during the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, a time known as the “Reconstruction era.” This period, following the emancipation of formerly enslaved persons, was one of turbulent political shifts, physical rebuilding, violence, and a changing socioeconomic system in Charleston. Without legalized slavery to create an institutionalized social system, white Southerners needed to find a new means by which to legitimize racism and maintain a social and racial hierarchy. The establishment of “Black Codes” which later became “Jim Crow Laws” created the segregation that continued well into the 20th century."Uncovering Reconstruction" is an attempt to educate on the reality of this period and engage the public in how we talk about and understand out collective history. 

 

This project was developed during a graduate school class titled, Public Amnesias, and continued in an independent projects course and a course on Digital Storytelling.