Agreement keeps Fort Sumter open during government shutdown

CHARLESTON — When the government shut down Oct. 1, tours to Fort Sumter abruptly ceased, as funding to staff national parks across the country was cut off.

But the Charleston excursions to and from the historic landmark shortly resumed with an assist from the private ferry operator, which has dipped into its own pocket to keep them running.

Fort Sumter Tours , which is owned and operated by Aramark Sports & Entertainment Services, is still transporting visitors to and from the national monument in Charleston Harbor while most other federal sites managed by the National Park Service remain closed or unstaffed during the government shutdown.

When speaking to a group of visitors atop Fort Sumter in late October, a ranger said operations were only continuing because of a $120,000 agreem