HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUMS IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Aiken-Rhett House Museum
48
Elizabeth St., (843) 733-1159.
M-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun 2-5pm (last tour at 4:15pm). $12, 6-16 $5.
Dating back to 1820, this colorful neoclassical house was owned by William Aiken Jr. and stayed in his family for 142 years. One of the state’s wealthiest citizens, Aiken was a businessman, rice planter, and governor of South Carolina. It opened as the Aiken-Rhett House Museum in 1975. Painted a colorful yellow mustard on the outside, this house features big rooms with high ceilings and original wood floors. Architectural details include a free-flying staircase, wide doors, Victorian window doors that let in natural breezes, and plenty of shutters. I particularly enjoyed seeing the herringbone brick pathways that are just like the one I have at my own home. Both of the original outbuildings remain--the kitchen-laundry and the carriage-stable house; the latter also held the slave sleeping quarters. The house is conserved, rather than restored, and so the interior finishes remain much as they were in the 19th century, including peeling paint. Currently, excavation is going on in the back yard.
Dating back to 1820, this colorful neoclassical house was owned by William Aiken Jr. and stayed in his family for 142 years. One of the state’s wealthiest citizens, Aiken was a businessman, rice planter, and governor of South Carolina. It opened as the Aiken-Rhett House Museum in 1975. Painted a colorful yellow mustard on the outside, this house features big rooms with high ceilings and original wood floors. Architectural details include a free-flying staircase, wide doors, Victorian window doors that let in natural breezes, and plenty of shutters. I particularly enjoyed seeing the herringbone brick pathways that are just like the one I have at my own home. Both of the original outbuildings remain--the kitchen-laundry and the carriage-stable house; the latter also held the slave sleeping quarters. The house is conserved, rather than restored, and so the interior finishes remain much as they were in the 19th century, including peeling paint. Currently, excavation is going on in the back yard.
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| exterior of Aiken-Rhett House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| interior of Aiken-Rhett House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| interior of Aiken-Rhett House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| Victorian window-door at Aiken-Rhett House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| excavation at Aiken-Rhett House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
Nathaniel Russell House Museum
51
Meeting St., (843) 724-8481.
This neoclassical Grand Federal townhouse was built in 1808 and restored in the 1990s. In dramatic opposition to the Aiken-Rhett House, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum is constructed with local bricks as well as beautiful original white ironwork and furnished with items appropriate to the house. The interiors are restored to their original 1808 grandeur, and viewing the inside of this impressive home and seeing how people lived when Charleston was at its apex of influence and wealth is enlightening. Acclaimed features include 14-foot ceilings (which helped keep things cool), gilded cornices, and a free-flying cantilevered staircase. The property operated as an “urban plantation,” with 18 enslaved people tending gardens and orchards. Unfortunately, the carriage and stable house was destroyed in an earthquake. Allow time to stroll in the lovely formal gardens and inspect the unusual blooms.
This neoclassical Grand Federal townhouse was built in 1808 and restored in the 1990s. In dramatic opposition to the Aiken-Rhett House, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum is constructed with local bricks as well as beautiful original white ironwork and furnished with items appropriate to the house. The interiors are restored to their original 1808 grandeur, and viewing the inside of this impressive home and seeing how people lived when Charleston was at its apex of influence and wealth is enlightening. Acclaimed features include 14-foot ceilings (which helped keep things cool), gilded cornices, and a free-flying cantilevered staircase. The property operated as an “urban plantation,” with 18 enslaved people tending gardens and orchards. Unfortunately, the carriage and stable house was destroyed in an earthquake. Allow time to stroll in the lovely formal gardens and inspect the unusual blooms.
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| exterior of Nathaniel Russell House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| gilded cornices at Nathaniel Russell House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| gilded cornices at Nathaniel Russell House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| free-flying cantilevered staircase at Nathaniel Russell House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| tea set at Nathaniel Russell House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| garden at Nathaniel Russell House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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| garden bloom at Nathaniel Russell House Museum in Charleston, South Carolina |
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images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
These are two great examples of Charleston's stunning architecture!
ReplyDeleteWe love to visit historic house museums, as they give us a view of yesteryear. It's good to see them restoring them, so future generations can also see these wonders.
ReplyDeleteHouse museums are always a draw for me, and these look like marvelous ways to add to an exploration of Charleston's historical sites!
ReplyDeleteWonderful houses! Hopefully I'll get to Charleston one day and explore its architecture...
ReplyDeleteBeen to Charleston twice and I regret not visiting these House Museums. Great architectural details!
ReplyDeleteI love house museums. In the case of these Charleston houses, they're a reminder of how an institution as ugly as slavery could provide a backbone for great beauty....
ReplyDeleteI love that staircase and tea set in the second house. I haven't been to Charleston, but I've always wanted to go.
ReplyDeleteThere's so much to do in Charleston! I live in South Carolina and have been quite a few times, but I've never been to these houses. I love being able to add new thing to do for my next trip!
ReplyDeleteI love house museums. I'd love to visit Charleston and these museums.
ReplyDeleteI found Charleston fascinating, so much history. Although I missed these house museums,always good to have interesting spots to add to the next visit.
ReplyDelete