The Beaufort Arsenal is one of the most significant historic buildings in all of Beaufort.
With over 200 years of service to Beaufort, The Arsenal has been a huge part of Beaufort’s history.
The Beaufort Arsenal was the home of the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery, commissioned in 1802, which had its roots in an earlier company organized in 1776 during the Revolutionary War.
The BVA was stationed at Fort Beauregard during the Battle of Port Royal on November 7, 1861.
After the Civil War, in 1878 the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery was reorganized with all surviving Confederate soldiers involved with the BVA elected as honorary members. The Arsenal became a place for hosting social events and military ceremonies.
In 1892 the BVA became the South Carolina National Guard.
With the outbreak of the Spanish American War, the unit volunteered for service and manned batteries on Parris Island throughout the entire conflict.
During WWI the Beaufort National Guard was mobilized for service.
Today residents and visitors alike enjoy this proud symbol of Beaufort’s important past.
