Beaufort Arsenal

The Beaufort Arsenal is one of the most significant military landmarks in the Lowcountry, serving as a continuous link between the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the modern preservation of Beaufort’s history. While the current structure largely dates to the mid-19th century, its foundations rest on the very site where the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery (BVA)—a storied Revolutionary War unit—was first organized in 1776.

Revolutionary Roots and Early Construction

The site originally served as the meeting hall for the 1772 Beaufort Assembly. Following the outbreak of the Revolution, it became the primary muster ground for the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery. In 1795, Colonel Thomas Talbird was commissioned to design a formal arsenal on this hallowed ground. Completed in 1798 at a cost of $2,500, the original building and its surrounding walls were constructed of tabby (a local concrete made of lime, sand, and crushed oyster shells) and topped with traditional tiles.

The Gothic Revival Rebuild

By the 1850s, the original tabby structure had fallen into disrepair. As the threat of secession loomed—led by Beaufort’s own Senator Robert Barnwell Rhett—the town prioritized its military infrastructure. Local cotton planters and landowners raised $2,835 to reconstruct the facility. During this phase:

• A second-floor drill area was added to accommodate troop training.
• The original tabby walls were replaced with brick and stucco.
• The building adopted the Gothic Revival style, featuring the crenelated parapets and heavy gates that give it a “fortress” appearance today.

The Beaufort Volunteer Artillery (BVA)

The BVA, which traced its lineage directly back to the 1776 Revolutionary company, was officially commissioned in 1802 and headquartered here. This elite unit remained a cornerstone of local defense for decades. During the Civil War, the BVA was stationed at Fort Beauregard during the pivotal Battle of Port Royal on November 7, 1861, defending the very waters their ancestors had protected nearly a century earlier.

Modern History and Preservation

Between 1935 and 1940, the Arsenal underwent its final major architectural transformation. Two one-story wings were added, along with further second-floor expansions. Today, the building is the home of the Beaufort History Museum, preserving the artifacts and stories of the diverse people who shaped the Beaufort District from the colonial era through the present day.