Market Hall is a Greek Revival-style building consisting of one raised story resting atop a rusticated open ground-level arcade.

[1] The portico contains four Roman style Doric columns that support the entablature and pediment, and is accessed by a double flight of stairs with elaborate iron work.

[6] Charleston's first public market was established in 1692 at the corner of Broad and Meeting streets, although a formal brick building wasn't built at the site until 1739.

[5] In 1788, Revolutionary War general Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and other landowners along an existing canal[7] donated a strip of recovered marshland for the establishment of the "Centre Market," which would stretch from the docks of Charleston Harbor to Meeting Street.

In its early days, the market was primarily a place to sell foodstuffs, and was subdivided into sections for beef, fish, and farm produce.

[11] The museum closed in 1989 after Market Hall suffered substantial damage during Hurricane Hugo (including the partial removal of its roof), and was later reopened after having been temporarily housed in a Charleston kindergarten.

[13] While proponents of this action argued it would save taxpayer money on upkeep of the aging structures, a special committee of City Council reversed course following criticism from historical preservationists.

[14] The same matter cropped up again at a City Council meeting on November 8, 1904, when a motion was adopted calling for the demolition of the market sheds between East Bay and Anson to be replaced with grounds laid out in "an ornamental fashion.

"[15] The debate about the future of the structures remained alive through mid-1905 when City Council considered letters in support of saving the buildings as unique examples of their architecture in America.

[21] On July 30, 1954, a plane spotting tower (complete with telephone) was opened atop one of the Market sheds for use by the Charleston Ground Observers Corps.

[22] Following Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the Market Hall building was restored by the City of Charleston and received a Carolopolis Award from the Preservation Society in January 2003.