Charleston’s grand mansions stand as living museums of American history, offering
visitors intimate glimpses into the lives of the city’s most prominent families. These
architectural treasures showcase design evolution from the Colonial era through the
Antebellum period, each telling unique stories through their preserved rooms and
carefully maintained gardens.
The city’s preservation efforts have ensured these magnificent structures continue to
educate and inspire future generations.
Aiken-Rhett House
The Aiken-Rhett House remains one of the nation’s most intact urban antebellum
complexes, preserving both the main house and its original outbuildings. This
mansion showcases the grandeur of Charleston’s antebellum period through its
preserved-as-found condition, allowing visitors to witness layers of history from 1820
to the present day.
The property’s slave quarters, which still contain original paint and furnishings, provide a sobering glimpse into the lives of enslaved workers who maintained the household.
Nathaniel Russell House
The Nathaniel Russell House exemplifies Federal-style architecture with its iconic
three-story spiral staircase floating within an elliptical hall. The mansion’s elaborate
plasterwork and detailed carved woodwork demonstrate the wealth of Charleston’s
merchant elite, while its recently restored historic paint colors and furnishings
transport visitors to the early 1800s.
The property’s formal gardens have been meticulously reconstructed using archaeological evidence and period documentation to reflect their original 19th-century appearance accurately.
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Edmondston-Alston House
This harborfront mansion combines Greek Revival and Federal architectural styles
while offering unparalleled views of Charleston Harbor. The house remained in the
Alston family for over 150 years, preserving original family furnishings and a rich
collection of documents that detail life in antebellum Charleston.
Visitors can still see the spot where General Beauregard watched the bombardment of Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the Civil War.
Calhoun Mansion
The Calhoun Mansion is Charleston’s largest private residence, boasting 35 rooms
within 24,000 square feet. The house showcases Victorian-era extravagance through
ornate architectural details and houses an extensive collection of decorative arts
from the 1870s.
Its 75-foot domed staircase and elaborate crystal chandeliers exemplify the excesses of America’s Gilded Age.
Joseph Manigault House
The Joseph Manigault House represents the finest example of Adam-style
architecture in Charleston. Gabriel Manigault designed it in 1803. This elegant
townhouse features a magnificent spiral staircase, exceptional architectural details,
and period furnishings that reflect the lifestyle of a wealthy rice-planting family.
The mansion’s unique architectural elements include a gate temple, an architectural folly, and a functional space for catching cool breezes.
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Miles Brewton House
This double house is America’s finest example of a Georgian-Palladian townhouse,
maintaining its original dependencies and garden. The mansion features elaborate
Chinese Chippendale balconies and exquisite interior woodwork, serving as a family
residence and a witness to significant historical events.
During the Revolutionary War, British commanders made the house their headquarters, leaving behind evidence of their occupation that can still be seen today.
William Blacklock House
The William Blacklock House demonstrates the refined elegance of the Federal style
through its symmetrical design and classical proportions. This mansion’s
architectural details and restored interiors provide insights into early 19th-century
craftsmanship and Charleston’s mercantile prosperity.
The property’s original marble fireplaces and intricate crown moldings showcase the work of some of Charleston’s finest artisans.
Sword Gate House
The Sword Gate House derives its name from the distinctive iron gates featuring
crossed swords created for Charleston’s city arsenal. This mansion exemplifies
Charleston’s grand residential architecture, featuring one of the city’s largest private
gardens and exceptional ironwork.
The property’s secret garden contains rare specimens of Charleston’s historic plantings, including centuries-old camellias and azaleas.
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Branford-Horry House
The Branford-Horry House showcases Georgian architecture with its imposing
facade and elaborate interior woodwork. This three-story mansion features a rare
surviving example of a Charleston ‘single house’ plan with full-length piazzas on
each floor.
The house largely survived the Revolutionary War and Civil War, preserving its original 18th-century architectural elements.
Colonel John Ashe House
The Colonel John Ashe House represents one of Charleston’s earliest surviving
mansions, dating from the 1780s. This Georgian-style residence features original
woodwork, historic gardens, and architectural elements that reflect Charleston’s
post-Revolutionary War period.
The house’s early American furniture collection includes pieces belonging to prominent Charleston families.
Patrick O’Donnell House
The Patrick O’Donnell House exemplifies Charleston’s Victorian-era architecture
through its ornate details and imposing presence. This mansion combines Italianate
and Greek Revival elements while featuring exceptional craftsmanship in its
decorative plasterwork and woodcarving.
The house’s original gas light fixtures have been preserved and converted to electricity, offering a glimpse into 19th-century technological advances.
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Charles Graves House
The Charles Graves House represents the transition between Federal and Greek
Revival styles in Charleston architecture. This mansion features exceptional
architectural details, including elaborate door surrounds and a sophisticated curved
staircase.
The original kitchen house contains one of Charleston’s best-preserved historic cooking fireplaces, with period utensils and equipment.
William Gatewood House
The William Gatewood House is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture
with its prominent columned portico. This mansion features exceptional interior
finishes and maintains its original outbuildings, providing insight into antebellum
Charleston’s urban life.
The property’s restored carriage house offers visitors a rare glimpse into the transportation methods of Charleston’s elite.
Isaac Jenkins Mikell House
The Isaac Jenkins Mikell House combines Gothic Revival and Italianate styles in its
unique architectural design. This mansion features distinctive cast-iron work,
elaborate interior decoration, and extensive gardens that reflect mid-19th-century
tastes.
The property’s octagonal wing represents one of Charleston’s most unusual architectural features, designed to maximize natural light and ventilation.
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George Eveleigh House
The George Eveleigh House represents one of Charleston’s finest examples of
Colonial architecture dating from the 1740s. This mansion features exceptional
Georgian woodwork and maintains its original floor plan, providing insights into early
Charleston residential design.
Archaeological excavations in the garden have uncovered fascinating artifacts that document daily life in colonial Charleston.
Thomas Rose House
With its sophisticated architectural details, the Thomas Rose House is one of
Charleston’s finest Georgian townhouses. This mansion features exceptional interior
woodwork, original hardware, and a restored garden that reflects 18th-century
landscape design.
The brick kitchen contains rare examples of colonial-era cooking equipment and storage solutions.
James Simmons House
The James Simmons House exemplifies Charleston’s Federal period architecture
through its refined proportions and elegant details. This mansion features
exceptional plasterwork, original mahogany doors, and a sophisticated curved
staircase.
The house’s drawing room contains one of Charleston’s finest early 19th- century decorative arts collections.
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Edward Fenwick House
The Edward Fenwick House combines Federal and Greek Revival elements in its
sophisticated architectural design. This mansion features exceptional interior
finishes, including elaborate plasterwork and woodwork, while maintaining its original
outbuildings.
The property’s restored work yard provides insights into the daily operations of a wealthy Charleston household.
Christopher Gadsen House
The Christopher Gadsen House represents Georgian architecture at its finest with its
symmetrical design and classical proportions. This mansion features exceptional
architectural details, including elaborate door surrounds and sophisticated interior woodwork.
The house played a significant role in Revolutionary War history as a meeting place for colonial patriots.
Theodore Gaillard House
The Theodore Gaillard House is an excellent example of federal-style architecture
with refined proportions and elegant details. This mansion features exceptional
craftsmanship in its woodwork and maintains its original dependencies, offering
insights into early 19th-century Charleston life.
The property’s unique widow’s walk provides panoramic views of Charleston Harbor and the surrounding historic district.
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Living Legacy of Charleston’s Historic Homes
Charleston’s historic mansions offer more than architectural beauty—they provide
windows into America’s complex past and the lives of those who shaped our nation.
These carefully preserved homes continue to educate and inspire visitors while
maintaining their status as irreplaceable treasures of American heritage.
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