Historic Charleston Foundation | Events
Aiken-Rhett House Museum Historic Charleston foundation
The Aiken-Rhett House Museum, 48 Elizabeth Street, c. 1820, is unique in many ways. For example, it remained in the hands of family descendents for 142 years until it was sold to The Charleston Museum and opened as a museum house in 1975. Historic Charleston Foundation purchased the house in 1995 and adopted a conservation approach to the interpretation of this important house and its outbuildings.
Located on the corner of Judith and Elizabeth streets, Charleston merchant John Robinson built the house in 1820 as a typical Charleston double house with a central hallway and two rooms on either side. The original front entrance was located on Judith Street, where the piazza, a Charleston term for a double side porch, is now located. When Robinson lost five ships at sea in 1825, he was forced to sell the house to meet his financial obligations. Subsequently, it became the property of William Aiken Sr. in 1827.
Aiken, an Irish immigrant who had accumulated a large fortune as one of the city’s leading merchants, used the house as a rental property. When he died suddenly in a carriage accident, his vast holdings were divided between his wife, Henrietta Wyatt Aiken, and his only son, William Aiken Jr.
In 1833, the young William Aiken and his new bride, Harriet Lowndes, decided to make the house their primary residence. They began an extensive renovation of the property. Three main changes took place: the front entrance was moved, the first floor was reconfigured, and a large addition was built onto the house. By all accounts, they created one of the most impressive residences in Charleston.
A successful businessman, rice planter, distinguished politician and governor of South Carolina, William Aiken Jr. was one of the state’s wealthiest citizens. Following a well-established tradition among Charleston’s elite, Governor Aiken and his wife traveled in Europe and returned with magnificent fine art and furnishings. In 1858, while abroad, Governor Aiken commissioned his cousin, Joseph Daniel Aiken, to design and oversee the construction of an art gallery, the only one of its kind in the city. Today, many of the objects acquired by the Aikens on their travels remain in the rooms for which they were purchased.
The Aiken family library, containing more than 2000 volumes mostly published in the 1800s, has recently been transferred to the Charleston Library Society archives and placed on long-term loan. Many of the books are signed by family members and were purchased on their travels through Europe.
Prior to the Civil War, the Aiken-Rhett House was maintained by a population of highly skilled enslaved African Americans who worked to sustain the Aikens’ high standards for elegant living and entertaining. Occupations within the household included carriage drivers, cooks, footmen, gardeners, laundresses, nursemaids, and seamstresses. A post Civil War document reveals the names of 14 slaves that lived at the Aiken-Rhett House and attended the family: Tom and Ann Greggs, and their son, Henry; Dorcas and Sambo Richardson and their children, Charles, Rachel, Victoria, Elizabeth, and Julia; Charles Jackson, Anthony Barnwell, and two carpenters, Will and Jacob. Many of these individuals remained in Charleston following Emancipation, and Jacob Gaillard and Henry Greggs lived and worked at the Aiken-Rhett House until their deaths in 1896 and 1908.
The back lot of the Aiken-Rhett House is where the slaves worked and lived, and they probably took their meals communally in the kitchen. A unique site, the Aiken-Rhett House retains both original outbuildings. One is the kitchen and laundry and the other a carriage and stable house, above which are found sleeping quarters. Many of the rooms had fireplaces, and paint evidence suggests these rooms were painted vibrant colors.
William Aiken, Jr. died at his summer home in Flat Rock, North Carolina, in 1887. He left his property to his wife and daughter. Harriet Aiken continued to live in the house until her death in 1892. Her daughter, Henrietta, and son-in-law, Major A.B. Rhett, raised their four sons and one daughter in the house. Upon Henrietta’s death, the house was divided between her children and their heirs. Two sons, I’On Rhett and Andrew Burnet Rhett, Jr. continued to live in the house until the mid twentieth century.
The Aiken-Rhett House is open, Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, 2-5 p.m. (last tour begins at 4:15 p.m.).
Tickets are $12 adults; $5 children 6-16; under six free.
Visitors who are interested in visiting the Aiken-Rhett and the Nathaniel Russell House Museums can save $6 on adult tickets by purchasing a combination ticket. Tickets are redeemable for six months from purchase date and do not need to be used on the same day. Consider visiting both museums to experience the unique and different preservation methods at work in each museum.
Discover Historic Charleston
Experience authentic Southern traditions in historic Charleston as you enjoy all of the beauty and unexpected discoveries of the Holy City.
Historic Charleston Foundation House Museums: Aiken-Rhett House & Nathaniel Russell House
The Aiken-Rhett House (c.1820) is considered one of the most intact urban townhouse complexes in Charleston. Well-preserved Gothic Revival style outbuildings, paint a vivid picture of slave life in an urban antebellum household.
Set amid spacious formal gardens, the Nathaniel Russell House (c.1808) is widely recognized as one of America's most important neoclassical dwellings. It represents the grandeur and optimism of the new nation after the American Revolution.
Aiken-Rhett House - Charleston, Coastal South Carolina, South Carolina, United States
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Aiken-rhett House Charleston
A historic house museum that is highly recommended.
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Photos from:
- Charleston, Coastal South Carolina, South Carolina, United States
Photos in this video:
- Aiken-Rhett House, Charleston by Modernnomad67 from a blog titled Historic Homes of Charleston, April 25
- Aiken-Rhett House, Charleston by Tomodea from a blog titled Charleston
Nathaniel Russell House - Charleston, Coastal South Carolina, South Carolina, United States
- Created at TripWow by TravelPod Attractions (a TripAdvisor™ company)
Nathaniel Russell House Charleston
An historical mansion open to the public.
Read more at:
Travel blogs from Nathaniel Russell House:
- ... The first was Nathaniel Russell House which was most impressive and where we saw our first joggling board ...
- ... to purchase a Charleston Heritage Passport, which is a 2 day pass that got us in to the Gibbes Museum of Art, Nathaniel Russell House, Edmondston-Alston House, Drayton Hall, Middleton Place, Aiken-Rhett House, Joseph Manigault House, Heyward-Washington ...
Read these blogs and more at:
Photos from:
- Charleston, Coastal South Carolina, South Carolina, United States
Photos in this video:
- Joggling Board - Nathaniel Russell House by Tomodea from a blog titled Charleston
- Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston by Modernnomad67 from a blog titled Historic Homes of Charleston, April 25
- Nathaniel Russell House, Charleston by Tomodea from a blog titled Charleston
Charleston, Historic area - State of South Carolina
Amazing building, waterfront development and even a large cruiser
Road Scholar: New Year's in Charleston
Embark on a holiday adventure that celebrates the New Year in the heart of Charleston and the Lowcountry! Revel in the festivities of New Year's Eve as you dine in and enjoy the ambiance of the Historic District. Marvel in the architecture of Charleston's Historic District — and admire its holiday finery — during an expert-led walk. Experience the Lowcountry's plantation history during field trips to Middleton Place and Boone Hall Plantation, and delight in holiday traditions at the historic Calhoun Mansion and Edmondston-Alston House.
To learn more or to enroll in this program, click here:
House museums in Charleston
These are the two best in the Southeast
Charleston, South Carolina - Manigault House - May 2009
Troy ponders the virtues of rednecks and decides I am fat and a drunk. Heather is less than amused at having to wait for the tour. Great house though!! As you can probably guess, we are all nuts.
Best Restaurants you MUST TRY in Charleston, United States | 2019
Charleston most commonly refers to:
Discover what's best in your city.
The rating information was taken from Google Maps and the list was last updated on 13th July, 2019:
1: Page's Okra Grill
2: Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
3: California Dreaming Restaurant
4: Hyman's Seafood
5: Halls Chophouse
6: Early Bird Diner
7: Charleston Crab House
8: Poogan's Porch
9: Husk
10: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Click on a link below to see an up-to-date list and more:
Charleston's Historic Houses
In the heart of Charleston are two preserved homes that may a well be time machines!
Charleston, SC | Water History - Pirates & the Civil War
Visiting Charleston SC and its historical sites, a city that owes much of its history to water. From trading to slavery which ultimately led to the signing of the Articles of Confederation, Charleston owes its foundation to water.
I explore Rainbow Row, the Battery, point out Fort Sumter, and walk along the waterfront looking across at Patriots Point where the USS Yorktown is retired. I finish up back on Church Street showing you the inside of the French Huguenot Church, along with the Dock Street Theater as extras.
Music in this episode provided by Braden Deal:
Additional music in this episode provided by Kevin McLeod
under Creative Common Licensing
Fort Sumter Flyover courtesy of Matt Spangard under Creative Common Licensing:
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Haunted Charleston 60 second trailer
Haunted Charleston 60 second trailer.
Charleston, SC | Tour Video Network | History of Charleston and Things to Do
36 Society Street - Tour the Most Modern Home in Historic Charleston, SC
In this video we check out one cool house here in Charleston, SC. Each year from March to April Interior Designers get creative with this classic historic house. Its located at 36 Society Street Charleston, SC. Stokes Mazda has a 2017 Mazda MX5 parked in the driveway so CharlestonCarVideos decided to film this epic home. Thanks to David for giving us this tour! The reason this home is transformed each year is to raise money for annual music scholarships for students and professional musicians in the Lowcountry. Its the 2017 Symphony Designer Showhouse event by: The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League Inc.
The 2017 Mazda MX5 in the video is also being raffled off on May 26th. You can purchase a raffle ticket for $100. Only 1000 tickets will be sold. To purchase a ticket visit
Video Production and Editing by: Chad Dolbier
Visit Stokes Mazda today online at
Historic Charleston
Charleston
Our day at the Charleston Museum !!! - RMM0090 -
Our day at the very interesting Charleston Museum in Charleston South Carolina SC. We hope you Enjoy it.
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Places to see in ( Charleston - USA )
Places to see in ( Charleston - USA )
Charleston, the South Carolina port city founded in 1670, is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbor, while Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War rang out, lies across the water.
The zenith of old-world charm, Charleston whisks you into the nation's tumultuous past and nourishes your mind, heart and stomach in roughly equal measure. This lovely city will embrace you with the warmth and hospitality of an old and dear friend – who lived in the 18th century. We jest, but the cannons, cemeteries and carriage rides absolutely conjure an earlier era. Here, signers of the Declaration of Independence puffed cigars and whispered of revolution in the withdrawing rooms of historic homes, and the first shots of the Civil War rang out over Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. The city itself was built on slave labor, and several related sights are among the nation's most important educators on the long-standing oppression of African Americans.
Charleston's most beloved 19th-century porch furnishing was the joggling board – a bouncy, wooden rocking bench that couples sat on back in the day as part of a courtship ritual. Not much has changed. Today lovers stroll cobblestone streets past historic buildings, stop to smell the blooming jasmine and enjoy long, candlelit dinners on verandas. Everywhere you turn another blushing bride is standing on the steps of yet another enchanting church. Above all, this is a place for seduction by Southern hospitality – Charleston will charm the sweat right off your brow.
Charleston was founded in 1670 as Charles Town, honoring King Charles II of England. Its initial location at Albemarle Point on the west bank of the Ashley River (now Charles Towne Landing) was abandoned in 1680 for its present site, which became the fifth-largest city in North America within ten years. Despite its size, it remained unincorporated throughout the colonial period; its government was handled directly by a colonial legislature and a governor sent by London. Election districts were organized according to Anglican parishes, and some social services were managed by Anglican wardens and vestries. Charleston adopted its present spelling with its incorporation as a city in 1783 at the close of the Revolutionary War. Population growth in the interior of South Carolina influenced the removal of the state government to Columbia in 1788.
A lot to see in Charleston such as :
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Fort Sumter
Patriots Point
Waterfront Park
Historic Charleston City Market
Rainbow Row
Johns Island
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens
Charleston Harbor
South Carolina Aquarium
Middleton Place
Drayton Hall
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Old Slave Mart Museum
The Charleston Museum
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
Nathaniel Russell House
King Street
The Battery
Wild Dunes
USS Yorktown
Morris Island
H.L. Hunley Submarine
Angel Oak Tree
Morris Island Lighthouse
Fort Moultrie
White Point Garden
Daniel Island
The Calhoun Mansion
Daniel Island
James Island County Park
Charleston's French Quarter District
Arthur Ravenel Junior Bridge
Folly Beach Pier
Wadmalaw Island
Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
Gibbes Museum of Art
Folly Beach County Park
Aiken-Rhett House
McLeod Plantation Historic Site
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Palmetto Islands County Park
Meeting Street
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park
Edmondston-Alston House
South of Broad
Charleston Historic District
Audubon Swamp Garden
Joseph Manigault House
Shem Creek Park
( Charleston - USA ) is well know as a tourist destination because of the variety of places you can enjoy while you are visiting Charleston . Through a series of videos we will try to show you recommended places to visit in Charleston - USA
Join us for more :
Archaeology and the Walled City of Charleston
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Charleston is the only walled city in British colonial North America. Yet this defensive feature, completed in 1706, is largely invisible, in both the landscape and the imagination. Excavations done in 2008 and 2009 of the redan, or salient angle, at Tradd Street provided the first opportunity in forty years to explore a section of the wall, and the first in nearly a century to expose the foundation. Join the Museum's Curator of Historical Archaeology, Martha Zierden, to hear new details on construction, maintenance, and eventual abandonment of the city's early colonial defenses and see several items that are on permanent exhibit in our Lowcountry History Hall.