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Washington
–
Today,
U.S.
Senator
Tim
Scott’s
(R-SC)
Fort
Sumter
and
Fort
Moultrie
National
Historical
Park
Act
was
approved
by
the
U.S.
Senate
Committee
on
Energy
and
Natural
Resources.
The
legislation
will
revamp
the
protections
overseeing
some
of
South
Carolina’s
most
historic
locations.
“South
Carolina’s
history
is
an
essential
chapter
of
our
American
story,
and
today
we
are
one
step
closer
to
helping
preserve
some
of
our
state’s
most
important
and
historic
sites,”
said
Scott.
“By
officially
classifying
Fort
Sumter
and
Fort
Moultrie
as
nationally
recognized
historical
park,
we
can
rest
assured
these
areas
will
continue
to
be
enjoyed
by
local
residents
and
visitors
for
years
to
come.”
The
bill
also
has
the
potential
to
enhance
local
economic
opportunities
for
the
surrounding
area
by
increased
tourism
and
visitation.
Helen
T.
Hill,
CEO
of
Explore
Charleston,
said,
"The
importance
of
Forts
Sumter
and
Moultrie
to
our
state's
and
the
nation's
heritage
cannot
be
overstated.
Both
forts
serve
as
constant
reminders
of
the
sacrifices
made
by
free
and
enslaved
persons
in
the
founding
and
defense
of
our
nation.
Their
importance
to
our
collective
heritage
and
to
Charleston's
tourism
economy
make
them
very
deserving
of
the
national
park
designation."
Specific
details
of
the
bill
include:
-
Establishes
Fort
Sumter
and
Fort
Moultrie
National
Historical
Park
-
Codifies
clear
and
defining
boundaries
of
federally
managed
land
at
Fort
Sumter
-
Recognizes
the
importance
of
Fort
Sumter,
Fort
Moultrie,
and
the
Sullivan's
Island
Life
-
Saving
Station
Historic
District
in
American
history
and
the
role
they
played
in
protecting
the
Charleston
Harbor
during
the
Revolutionary
War,
the
Civil
War,
and
the
development
of
the
United
States
coastal
defense
system
from
1776
to
1947
-
Commemorates
the
lives
of
the
free
and
enslaved
workers
who
built
Fort
Sumter
and
Fort
Moultrie,
the
soldiers
who
defended
the
forts,
the
prisoners
held
there,
and
the
captive
Africans
brought
to
America
as
slaves
-
Bolsters
the
tourism
potential
of
the
community
by
increasing
the
visibility,
prestige,
and
notoriety
of
the
sites
by
upgrading
the
federal
designation
to
national
park
Each
year,
Fort
Sumter
National
Monument
and
Fort
Moultrie
attract
nearly
a
million
visitors
to
see
where
the
first
shots
of
the
Civil
War
were
fired
on
April
12,
1861.
Fort
Sumter
has
been
recognized
as
a
national
monument
since
1948,
and
since
1960,
Fort
Moultrie
has
been
administered
by
the
National
Parks
Service
as
part
of
Fort
Sumter
without
a
clear
management
mandate
or
established
boundary.
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