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As DiNicola mentioned, the preservation of the home was both an inspiration and a challenge to designers, who were tasked with reimagining the halls without interfering with its fragile contents. The stable and rooms are part of the outbuildings at the Aiken-Rhett House, pictured March 15, 2024. For a third year, the Historic Charleston Foundation collaborated with a variety of designers to reimagine the historic halls of the Aiken-Rhett House. We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting.
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Aiken used the home as a rental property until his death in 1831, when his assets were divided between his wife and his only son, William Aiken, Jr., was a successful rice planter who would later become a prominent statesman and governor of South Carolina. He and his wife, Harriet, moved into the house in 1833 and began an extensive renovation of the property. One of the reasons that there are so many magnificent homes in Charleston is that in the 1800s, wealthy Charleston families saw their houses not only as the center of their family life but as the hub of their social life as well. The homes were show pieces meant to display the family's status to their guests. The Aiken house was no exception, and Aiken Jr. made major renovations to the home, including moving the front entrance and building a large addition, calculated to make the home more impressive.
The History of Aiken-Rhett House
While the Nathaniel Russell House has been restored to the way it would have looked in the 19th century, using reproductions and modern craftsmen to replicate damaged décor, the Aiken-Rhett House takes a preservation-based approach to protecting the property. The visual effect might not be as striking as the brightly colored walls and faux marble of the Nathaniel Russell House, but seeing the original, untouched detailing in the Aiken-Rhett House is absolutely fascinating. The Aiken-Rhett House is one of the best places in Charleston to get a feel for what life was like in the Holy City in the 19th century. Unlike many of the historic homes in Charleston that have been through numerous renovations and alterations over the years, the Aiken-Rhett house has not been significantly changed since 1857, making it a virtual time capsule of 1800s architecture.
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The interior pictured below is the upper level of the outbuilding to the right of the main house. The first level served as a kitchen and laundry, with the upstairs serving as sleeping quarters for the enslaved. The windows of the upstairs hall overlook the courtyard onto the carriage house. Aiken, Jr. lived in the house until his death in 1887, at which time he left the property to his family. The house remained in the family until 1975, when it was donated to the Charleston Museum.
This year, we are honored to celebrate the following individuals and organizations who are instrumental to the past, present and future authenticity of Charleston and the Lowcountry. Awards include the Stoney Craftsmanship Award, the Whitelaw Founders Award, and the Joseph H. In addition, HCF will recognize two incredible members of our community with a special recognition award to honor their years of dedication to Charleston’s historic gardens. Reserved for only the most special occasions, this year the Foundation will also present Charter Day’s highest honor, the Frances R. Edmunds Award, to an integral Foundation staff member for the past 45 years.
Greatly expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken Jr. in the 1830s and 1850s, the house and its outbuildings, including quarters for enslaved African Americans, survive in a condition that depicts the ways they have changed and evolved over time. The house spent 142 years in the family's hands before it was sold to the Charleston Museum, and it opened as a house museum in 1975. Built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson, the Aiken-Rhett House is nationally significant as one of the best-preserved townhouse complexes in the nation. Vastly expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and again in the 1850s, the house and its outbuildings include a kitchen, the original slave quarters, carriage block and back lot.
Charleston's 19th Century Gem: The Aiken Rhett House
Art and poetry exhibition at Aiken-Rhett House tells story of enslaved people's escape - The Post and Courier
Art and poetry exhibition at Aiken-Rhett House tells story of enslaved people's escape.
Posted: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The original staircase which was smaller and less ornate, though still detailed, became the back stairwell. The passageway is an ornate Gibbs surround made out of marble with a mahogany door outfitted with a semicircular fanlight and sidelights with decorative grillwork. William Aiken, Jr. died in 1887 at his summer home in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Her daughter, Henrietta, and son-in-law, Major A.B. Rhett, raised their four sons and one daughter in the house.
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Most scholars of southern history and culture define antebellum plantation mansions being surrounded by agricultural developments, such as other Charleston area plantations, Drayton Hall, McLeod Plantation, and Magnolia Plantation. By the time that the American Civil War broke out, at least 13 enslaved people were at the Aiken property, including 6 children. The only surviving urban town-house complex, this 1820 abode gives a fascinating glimpse into antebellum life on a 45-minute self-guided audio tour. The role of slaves is emphasized, and visitors wander into their dorm-style quarters behind the house before moving on to the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Photos: The Charleston Festival features designer vignettes at the Aiken-Rhett House
The Aiken-Rhett House, with its preserved architecture and storied corridors, stands as a testament to Charleston’s rich tapestry of history. Each room and hallway resonates with tales from a bygone era, offering visitors a tangible connection to the past. As one explores this historic mansion, it becomes evident that it’s not just a monument, but a living narrative of the city’s heritage. Departing guests leave with a deeper appreciation for Charleston’s legacy, carrying memories that linger long after their visit. The Aiken-Rhett House’s location on Elizabeth Street places it at the heart of Charleston’s historic district. Just a few blocks away, visitors can explore the Nathaniel Russell House, another historic mansion that offers insights into the city’s antebellum period.
The house and its surviving furnishings offer a compelling portrait of urban life in antebellum Charleston, as well as a Southern politician, slaveholder and industrialist. The house spent 142 years in the Aiken family's hands before being sold to the Charleston Museum and opened as a museum house in 1975. While touring the house, you will discover the illustrious family history and gain an authentic 19th-century experience. As you stroll through the house and adjacent grounds with the original stables, kitchens, and slave quarters, you'll see the original paints and floors, bringing to life the conditions of those who lived there.
Key piece of Revolutionary War history possibly discovered behind Charleston's Aiken-Rhett House - The Post and Courier
Key piece of Revolutionary War history possibly discovered behind Charleston's Aiken-Rhett House.
Posted: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The house and its outbuildings are one of the most complete and best preserved urban domestic complexes of the antebellum era. Charleston merchant John Robinson built the house in 1820 as a typical Charleston double house. When he lost five ships at sea in 1825, he was forced to sell the house to meet his financial obligations. Pieces of furniture, paint and other architectural elements have been untouched since the 19th century. As visitors step through its doors, they are transported to the antebellum South, an era marked by its lavish grandeur, intricate societal norms, and pivotal moments that would shape the nation’s future.
Welcoming visitors to the whimsical space were larger-than-life frog statues stationed in corners of the dining room, shrouded by live oak branches, marsh grasses and ferns. The preserved elements served as an inspiration to interior designers, like Rebecca Gardner of Houses and Parties, whose team transformed the dining room into a party fit for a king, or rather, a Frog Prince. Constructed in 1820 by John Robinson, a wealthy merchant, the home on Elizabeth Street later housed South Carolina Gov. William Aiken and his family.
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