House Hunters Charleston: Historic Homes
While Charleston is best known for food, forts and fun, another large aspect of the city’s appeal is the abundance of historic homes. Take a couple of days to tour around Charleston’s Museum Mile, which boasts a number of old homes, museums and historic sites. After touring the homes on this list, the term, “colonial-style” will take on a whole new meaning.
The Aiken-Rhett House
Built in 1820 as a home for South Carolina governor William Aiken Jr., the Aiken-Rhett House is one of the only houses in Charleston that allows you to still access the slave quarters and carriage house, due to the emphasis on preservation (not restoration). Any bibliophile out there will find the library interesting: at one time, it contained over 2,000 books, most of which were signed by the family, and collected from all over the world. Check out this annual event, “Beyond the Big House”, for more information about what life was like for enslaved groups living at this house and in the Charleston area at the time.
→ Address: 48 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29403
→ Hours Daily- 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Heyward-Washington House
If you want to continue the tour of homes that George Washington visited, follow up with the Heyward-Washington House. A signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyward Jr. built the home in 1772. With loads of Revolutionary War history surrounding the house, you won’t know where to look next. If historic bookshelves are your thing, don’t miss the Homes-Edwards Bookcase: an important piece of American-colonial furniture. Another historic feature to check out while touring the house is the kitchen, which is the only 1740s kitchen open to the public in Charleston.
→ Address: 87 Church St., Charleston, South Carolina 29403
→ Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (last tour at 4:30 p.m.)
Sunday: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (last tour at 4:30 p.m.)
Nathaniel Russell House
Two centuries can really take a toll on appearances, but luckily, time and careful stewardship have treated the Nathaniel Russell House just fine. Built in 1808, the home is now registered as a National Historic Landmark and is restored to replicate what the house would have been like in the 1800s. Although it may be tempting to slide down the bannister a la “Mary Poppins,” you might have a harder time sticking a Julie Andrews-worthy landing on the home’s three-story staircase. After a tour of the house, sneak a peek of the private gardens which feature plants commonly grown during the 19th century.
→ Address: 51 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina 29401
→ Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
John Rutledge House
If you’re looking for enough history to make even an AP US History teacher green with envy, then the John Rutledge House Inn is the spot for you. The house was built, as the name suggests, by John Rutledge, who was not only a signer of the United States Constitution, but also a governor of South Carolina, AND a chief justice of the Supreme Court. George Washington has been a guest at this house, as well as several other Founding Fathers. The house also received an unwelcome guest in the form of a cannon ball fired by Union forces during the Siege of Charleston. The house currently operates as a highly-acclaimed inn, but even if you can’t stay for long, the Rutledge House is worth the visit.
→ Address: 116 Broad Street | Charleston, SC 29401
→ Hours: Check inn website
Calhoun Mansion
At a modest 24,000-square-foot area, 35 rooms and 23 fireplaces, the Calhoun Mansion exists as a historic building-turned-modern marvel. After falling into disrepair for several years, the house was purchased and renovated for 25 years at a cost of $5 million. The mansion is the largest single-family home in Charleston, and although it is now a private residence, it is open daily for public viewing. If the mansion looks familiar, that’s because it’s appeared in a few television shows and movies, including ABC’s North and South.
→ Address: 16 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
→ Seasonal Schedule: Dec-Feb 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily; Mar–Nov 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily