The Fort Sumter - Fort Moultrie Historical Trust (the Trust) has volunteered to act as the financial agent and coordinating organization for the official commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War to begin in 2010 and conclude in 2015 for the South Carolina Coastal Counties.Funds will be used to support sesquicentennial events and programs, and an endowed fund to support the preservation of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie. The Trust is a 501(c)(3) organization. 

The Trust’s Mission for the Sesquicentennial

• To coordinate the commemoration of the Civil War in the Lowcountry during the Sesquicentennial years of 2010 to 2015.
  
• To promote through commemorative programs, educational events, re-enactments, lectures, and other events, knowledge about the Civil War and American history and the importance of the Civil War in American history.
  
• To teach the general public about the causes, course, and legacies of the Civil War from the Union, Confederate, and African-American perspective.
  
•  To educate students and young people about the pivotal role of this defining event in our nation’s history and its role in shaping the freedoms and advantages we take for granted. 

 The Trust will coordinate the commemoration of the first shot of the Civil War in the Charleston area with the state, municipalities, civic groups, reenactor groups, heritage groups, colleges, law enforcement and others, and will coordinate a final commemoration of the raising of the flag over Fort Sumter in April of 2015 as well as other events during the Sesquicentennial period. 

The Trust will coordinate additional events with other interest groups and will maintain a website and community calendar, as well as coordinating our own lecture series throughout the Sesquicentennial period.  The Trust may act as a conduit for funds and grants to be disbursed to other groups on a merit basis.

Aiding the work of the coordinating committee will be two advisory groups.  One will consist of expert historians, and the other of civic leaders, reenactors, members of the heritage committee and other interested individuals.  The Trust has asked Lowcountry counties and each of the Lowcountry municipalities to appoint a liaison person to participate in coordinating the official events. 

Funding will be sought from a variety of sources, including the South Carolina General Assembly, municipalities and counties, local and national foundations, historical societies, heritage groups, businesses and individuals.  The National Park Service has a fund donated by concessionaires.  Donated funds will mostly be used to support Sesquicentennial events and programs.  The remaining funds will be used for the benefit of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie.