Historic homes open to public – Charleston Shines!

November 14, 2012

Nathaniel Russell House – Charleston, S.C.

A National Historic Landmark

Picture Source – Wikipedia

51 Meeting Street

Charleston, SC 29401

843-724-8481

bit.ly/8I2d1U

‘Since 1808, visitors have admired the grand Federal townhouse of Charleston merchant Nathaniel Russell.

Set amid spacious formal gardens, the Nathaniel Russell House is a National Historic Landmark and is widely recognized as one of America’s most important neoclassical dwellings.

The graceful interior with elaborate plasterwork ornamentation, geometrically shaped rooms and a magnificent free-flying staircase are among the most exuberant ever created in early America.

Located in Downtown Charleston near High Battery, the house is furnished with period antiques and works of art that evoke the gracious lifestyle of the city’s merchant elite.

Today the Nathaniel Russell House interprets the lives of the Russell family, as well as the African American slaves and artisans who were responsible for maintaining one of the South’s grandest antebellum townhouses.’

Source – HistoricCharleston.org Nathaniel Russell House Website.

November 13, 2012

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens – Charleston, S.C.

Listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.

Picture Source – Wikipedia

3550 Ashley River Road,

Charleston, SC – 29414

800-367-3517

www.magnoliaplantation.com/

‘Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (70 acres, 28 hectares) is a historic house with gardens located on the Ashley River at 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States.

It is one of the oldest plantations in the south, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.

‘A variety of tours are offered including the slave quarters and the family home. Tram tours are led by naturalists and visitors often see alligators, turtles, snakes, peacocks and waterfowl. The gardens are one of the oldest INFORMAL gardens in the U.S. with cooperation with nature rather than control of nature’.Adapted from article about Charleston by Judith Evans.

The house and gardens are open daily; an admission fee is charged.

Magnolia Plantation is located near Charleston and directly across the Ashley River from North Charleston.

The plantation dates to 1676 when Thomas and Ann Drayton built a house and small formal garden on the site.

(The plantation remains under the control of the Drayton family after 15 generations.).’

Source – Wikipedia

There is a lovely blog post related to Magnolia Plantation, magnolias and camellias entitled, Magnificent Magnolia Plantation: By Gene Phillips.

November 5, 2012

Preservation Society of Charleston – Charleston, S.C.

147 King Street

Charleston, SC

29403

843-722-4630

www.preservationsociety.org/

“Founded in 1920, the Preservation Society of Charleston is the oldest community based historic preservation organization in America. Our mission is to inspire the involvement of all who dwell in the Lowcountry to honor and respect our material and cultural heritage.”

Featuring:

Preservation Programs
Perservation Education
Fall Tours
Events
and more.

October 29, 2012

Gov. William Aiken House – a Landmark

Listed in National Register of Historic Places.

Picture Source – National Park Service

Also known as The Aiken-Rhett House’.

48 Elizabeth St.,

Charleston,

SC – 29401

843-723-1159

The official Website.

Features the only ‘audio tour’ in Charleston.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m

Sunday 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

Last tour begins at 4:15 p.m.

‘Completed in 1811, the William Aiken House is named after its first occupant, a successful Charleston merchant and president of the company that built South Carolinas first railroad.

The house is one of the best designed and crafted houses in the city and part of a national historic landmark district, along with its gardens, wrought-iron gates, and outbuildings that include a unique Gothic Revival-style carriage house.

The house was used for offices from 1877-2000, when it was converted into an event venue with offices and retail space.

The $3.7 million rehabilitation restored the houses original craftsmanship and design with help from an NPS Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit.

Missing historic features in the first floor parlors were restored, and existing historic materials and finishes throughout the property were carefully conserved.

The property’s exceptional historic design can once again be fully appreciated by the community.’

Source – National Park Service

Gov. Thomas Bennett House – a Landmark – Charleston, S.C.

Photo Source – http://www.governorthomasbennetthouse.com/

Listed in National Register of Historic Places.

69 Barre Street,

Charleston, SC

WebsiteThe Governor Thomas Bennett House is available for rent during the day or evenings, for weekday or weekend events. The rental fee is for the use of the house and gardens.

‘It was built in approximately 1825 on land which had once belonged to architect and builder Thomas Bennett, Sr. (1754-1814).

Thomas Bennett, Sr.’s son, Thomas Bennett, Jr. (1781-1865), took over his father’s lumber and milling business but was also active in state and local politics.

He was superintendent of Charleston, South Carolina; a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives (and was its speaker from 1814 to 1818); a member of the South Carolina Senate; and governor of the state.

After his term as governor, Thomas Bennett, Jr. undertook the construction of this notable house on land which originally overlooked the rice and saw mills which he owned.

The house is a 2 1/2-story wooden structure on a high foundation of stuccoed brick.

The house has a single-story piazza with a fanlighted entrance, engaged columns, and entablature.

The house has a pediment on the south facade, a Palladian window, and round-headed stair window on the north side.

The interior is notable for its Regency style woodwork and plasterwork.

It also has a cantilevered stair which connects the first and second floor without visible means of support along the walls.

It is one of only two such stairs in Charleston, the other being the Nathaniel Russell House at 51 Meeting St.

The house’s floorplan is a basic double house.

Immediately behind the front door is a hall, separated from a rearward stair hall by a keystone arch and fanlighted doorway.’

Source – Wikipedia

September 21, 2012

Calhoun Mansion – Charleston, S.C.

Picture Source – CalhounMansion.net

The Largest Privately Owned Home in Charleston.

16 Meeting Street,

Charleston,

SC – 29401

843-722-8205

‘Nothing else on the Charleston Peninsula compares to the Calhoun Mansion.

Boasting a striking italianate design, the Calhoun Mansion, the largest residence in Charleston, has 35 rooms, a grand ballroom, japanese water gardens, 35 fireplaces, 75 foot high domed stairhall ceiling, khoi ponds, private elevator, three levels of piazzas, ornate chandeliers, a 90 foot cupola, and many more wonderful surprises that make up the house’s more than 24,000 square feet.’

‘Italianate manor house built in 1876 currently used as a private home and a museum; includes photos, tour schedule, and history of the property.’

Source – CalhounMansion.net

September 3, 2012

The Edmondston-Alston House

Picture source – http://www.edmondstonalston.com/

21 East Battery,

Charleston,

SC – 29401

843-722-7171

‘The Edmondston-Alston House is one of the few historic homes open to the public.

The house has a beautiful view of the harbor and of Fort Sumter.

Built in 1825 the house was commandeered by the Union Army during the Civil War.

After the war, the family appealed to President Andrew to get theri home back and he granted them a pardon for their role in the war.

The document is displayed in the front room.’

Adapted from article about Charleston by Judith Evans.

‘Of Charlestons many fine house museums, only the Edmondston-Alston House (constructed in 1825 and enhanced in 1838) commands a magnificent view of Charleston Harbor. From its piazza, General P. T. Beauregard watched the fierce bombardment of Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861, signaling the start of the Civil War. And on December 11 of the same year, the house gave refuge to General Robert E. Lee the night a wide-spreading fire threatened his safety in a Charleston hotel.’

Learn about the Tours and Collections –http://www.edmondstonalston.com/