Charity & the Whale

Charleston Museum, Charleston, S.C.

The old whale skeleton hung in the original museum in Charleston and now hangs over the entry lobby in the current Charleston Museum. This particular whale washed up in the Charleston Harbor in 1880.

Walking up the steps to the upper level I noticed that the statue of Charity's face lined up nicely with the whale's belly.  The wooden statue in the museum is what is left of the original version of Charity that topped the Charleston Orphan House. When the building was demolished in 1952 the statue and fire bell crashed through the building and much of the statue was destroyed. Luckily they salvaged and preserved what was left and have her on display. Here is a link to the News & Courier article from 1952.

Charleston Orphan House, Charleston, S.C.