• VISIT
    • Weekend Visit
    • School Visit
    • Group Visit
    • Directions
  • HISTORY
    • Overview
    • Timeline
    • The Civil War
    • Naval Innovation
    • The Hunley is Born
    • The Hunley’s Sinkings
    • History is Made
    • The Search and Recovery
    • The Burial
  • SCIENCE
    • Overview
    • Timeline
    • Excavation
    • Artifacts
    • Facial Reconstructions
    • Conservation
  • THE MYSTERY
    • Overview
    • Evidence
    • Theories
  • NEWS
    • Press Releases
    • Research
  • ABOUT US
    • Contact
    • Volunteer
  • SHOP
  • DONATE
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
  • BUY TICKETS
The Friends of The HunleyThe Friends of The Hunley
  • VISIT
    • Weekend Visit
    • School Visit
    • Group Visit
    • Directions
  • HISTORY
    • Overview
    • Timeline
    • The Civil War
    • Naval Innovation
    • The Hunley is Born
    • The Hunley’s Sinkings
    • History is Made
    • The Search and Recovery
    • The Burial
  • SCIENCE
    • Overview
    • Timeline
    • Excavation
    • Artifacts
    • Facial Reconstructions
    • Conservation
  • THE MYSTERY
    • Overview
    • Evidence
    • Theories
  • NEWS
    • Press Releases
    • Research
  • ABOUT US
    • Contact
    • Volunteer
  • SHOP
  • DONATE
    • Donate
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
  • BUY TICKETS

Welcome to the Hunley Plan Your Visit Hours Open on Saturday 10AM - 5PM & Sunday 10AM - 3PM
DONATE
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MEMBERSHIP

Celebrate History. Support Maritime Preservation.

Save the Hunley!

Thanks to your support, the Hunley continues to undergo vital conservation work while also being shared with the public through exhibits and educational programs. Your generosity makes it possible for people of all ages to discover history, science, and innovation through this remarkable submarine. This fall, join us for a celebration of these efforts at the 20th Annual Hunley Oyster Roast & BBQ — and help us mark 25 years since the raising of the legendary submarine.

Enjoy an evening of incredible food, live music, and good company, all while supporting the continued preservation and education efforts that keep the Hunley’s story alive.

Friday, October 24 | 7:00PM–10:00PM
Visitor Center Bus Shed – 375 Meeting Street, Downtown Charleston

Buy Tickets NOW!

Visit the Hunley Store

Looking for gifts for history buffs or want to get something new and unique for yourself? Shop here for a wide selection of clothing, jewelry, books, collectibles and much more! All proceeds support our efforts to save the Hunley!

Shop the Hunley Store NOW!

Feel what it was like to be a crew member!

Our guests have voted us a top-rated Charleston activity on Tripadvisor! A visit to the Hunley is the perfect destination for fun and educational activities for families.  Here are just a few of the things you’ll see as you take a voyage of discovery with us …

    • The real Hunley in her 75,000-gallon tank
    • Artifacts found during excavation
    • The legendary gold coin that saved the Captain’s life
    • Facial reconstructions of the crew
    • Climb inside a Hunley model and enjoy interactive exhibits for all ages

Here’s what our visitors are saying…

  • Our trip was AMAZING! The presentation of the exhibit is spectacular and the staff and volunteers were amazing and incredibly knowledgeable. I recommend this to anyone, historians and non-historians!

    D61NRlaurene
  • Amazing technology for the time and the bonus is the story of Queenie Bennett. Be sure to ask the guides for additional information.

    Wheat711411
  • The Hunley exhibit far exceeded my expectations. First, the staff are all incredibly friendly and eager to share their expertise and knowledge. And the highlight, the conserved wreckage of the Hunley herself is an incredible time capsule into the past. Highly, highly recommended.

    Andy P.
  • Very educational and informative. Lots of information regarding the recovery and conservation efforts.

    Thd23

New Exhibit!

Tools Found Onboard Hunley Offered Crew a Potential Lifeline

The designers and crews made constant modifications and adjustments to improve the Hunley. That’s why it wasn’t surprising when Archaeologists uncovered an array of tools scattered beneath and around the forward section of the crew compartment. The Clemson scientific team has been working to delicately conserve the artifacts slated to be part of this exciting new exhibit.

Learn MORE!

NEWS

Get up-to-the-minute news on current events and our continuing restoration progress from the Hunley team.

Friends of the Hunley

Friends of the Hunley
Friends of the Hunley3 weeks ago
25 years ago, the Hunley was raised from the depths — and history came alive. 🌊⚓

The Charleston Post and Courier marks the milestone with a rich timeline and stunning photo gallery capturing the moment, the mystery, and the legacy of the world’s first successful combat submarine.

Read the story & see the photos...👇

#civilwarhistory #charlestonhistory #maritimehistory #submarines
Friends of the Hunley
25 years ago, Charleston was captivated by the recovery of the rebel submarine H.L. Hunley
Long searched for by various outfits, it was New York Times best-selling author Clive Cussler and his team that found the Hunley after 15 years of hunting.
4182080View on Facebook
Friends of the Hunley
Friends of the Hunley3 weeks ago
🚢 A milestone 25 years in the making.

On August 8, 2000, the H. L. Hunley — the world’s first successful combat submarine — was raised from the ocean floor, forever changing maritime history.

But before she could rise, she had to be found.

In this video, hear from members of Clive Cussler’s National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) team that made the discovery. It’s a firsthand account of the surprising moment the Hunley was located — with a little humor along the way. 😉

📽 Watch now and relive the story of how the Hunley was found.

#HLHunley #ShipwreckDiscovery #CivilWarHistory #CliveCussler
Friends of the Hunley
The Moment the Hunley Was Found
What began as doubt turned into one of the most historic finds in maritime history. Relive the discovery moment.It’s Not the Hunley… Except, It WasIn 1995, o...
83320View on Facebook
Friends of the Hunley
Friends of the Hunley3 weeks ago
⚓ Celebrate 25 Years Since the Hunley’s Recovery — with FREE Admission for K–12 Students Every Weekend in August! ⚓

The Hunley isn’t just a submarine — it’s a journey through time, from Civil War innovation to modern-day technological discovery.

With interactive exhibits and a chance to see the legendary submarine up close, students and history lovers of all ages will enjoy an unforgettable experience.

Come explore the science, the mystery, and the innovation of this one-of-a-kind vessel.

🎟 Just mention you’re celebrating the anniversary for free student admission at the door!

📍 Charleston | 📅 Weekends in August
🆓 Free Admission for K–12 Students

#HLHunley #STEM #FamilyFun #CivilWarHistory #CharlestonSC
Friends of the Hunley
2791145View on Facebook
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Dive Deeper into the Mystery

Articles

Learn more here about the fascinating discoveries emerging from the Hunley project. These articles will take you through the science of the past, today and tomorrow…

Tools & Tides

December 5, 2024Read More

New Evidence, New Identities

August 8, 2023Read More

What’s in a Name? Is it the H. L. Hunley or the CSS Hunley?

August 8, 2023Read More

Gold Pocket Watch May Help Solve a Timeless Maritime Mystery

May 26, 2022Read More

Artifacts Belonging to Doomed 19th Century Submarine Captain Conserved

November 23, 2021Read More
Browse More Articles

Videos

Click here to visit our YouTube channel to get even more details. We have hours of content documenting our recovery and restoration journey.

Visit our YouTube Channel

Become a Member

WE NEED YOU TO HELP SAVE THE HUNLEY!

The Hunley became the world’s first successful combat submarine in 1864 and then mysteriously vanished.  She was located in 1995 by New York Times best selling author Clive Cussler and was raised from the ocean floor in 2000.  The Hunley was not only an important relic in Naval history but was also a time capsule holding a wide array of fascinating artifacts from the 19th century.  We are working to save the Hunley, the artifacts found within and build a submarine naval museum where our nation’s story under the waves can be told for generations to come.

Standard Membership packages include: Annual subscription to The Blue Light Magazine, Discounted Tour Tickets, 10% Off Merchandise, Entrance to Annual Behind-the-Scenes Members-Only Tours, 1 Car Decal, and 1 Member Hat.

SELECT YOUR MEMBERSHIP LEVEL

Will You Help Save the Hunley?

In 1995 Clive Cussler located the legendary submarine just off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. In 2000, the Hunley was successfully raised and in 2001 an international team of scientists began the process of carefully excavating her contents at a high-tech laboratory facility in North Charleston. To complete this historic journey, we must depend on donations from those who care about history. Will you help?

Want to memorialize someone? If you wish for your donation to serve as a renewal of an existing membership or as a memorial, please send an email to membership@hunley.org letting us know how you’d like to apply your donation.

DONATE NOW!

Contact Info

  • Friends of the Hunley
  • 1250 Supply St, Charleston, SC 29405
  • 843-743-4865
  • info@hunley.org

Hunley Project Updates

  • Tools & Tides
  • New Evidence, New Identities
  • What’s in a Name? Is it the H. L. Hunley or the CSS Hunley?
  • Gold Pocket Watch May Help Solve a Timeless Maritime Mystery
  • Artifacts Belonging to Doomed 19th Century Submarine Captain Conserved

Friends of the Hunley • P.O. Box 21600, Charleston, SC 29413 • 1250 Supply Street, North Charleston, SC 29405 • Copyright © 2025 Friends of the Hunley.