Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Constitutional Convention of 1868
March 16, 2018
1. Constitutional Convention of 1868 Marker
In January 1868 delegates met to rewrite the S.C. Constitution. They convened at the Charleston Club House, which once stood near here. Before the Civil War the Club House was reserved for Charleston's planter elite, but a majority of the delegates in 1868 were African American, some of them former slaves. The election of delegates to the convention was the first time that African American men voted in S.C. (Continued on other side)
The 1868 Constitution was a remarkable document for its time. The Declaration of Rights made no distinctions based on race. It created the basis for the state's first public school system, as proposed by Robert Smalls, and guaranteed black male suffrage two years ahead of the 15th Amendment. In 1895, a new constitution would mandate segregated schools, outlaw interracial marriages, and disenfranchise black men.
Erected 2018 by The S.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial Advisory Board. (Marker Number 10 100.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans
March 16, 2018
2. Reverse
Location. 32° 46.53′ N, 79° 55.859′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker is on Meeting Street near Broad Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 69 Meeting St, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Poyas-Mordecai House (here, next to this marker); Ernest F. "Fritz" Hollings (a few steps from this marker); The South Carolina Society (a few steps from this marker); Sol Blatt, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Judge J. Waties Waring (a few steps from this marker); John Cordes Prioleau House (within shouting distance of this marker); James Francis Byrnes (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Courthouse and Post Office / Briggs V. Elliott (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.
More about this marker. Dedicated March 16, 2018.
Also see . . . Constitution of the State of South Carolina, 1868. The 1868 state constitution for South Carolina was revolutionary because it embodied many democratic principles absent from previous constitutions.... (Submitted on March 24, 2018.)
March 16, 2018
3. Dedication and unveiling of the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2018. This page has been viewed 138 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
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