Table Of Content
- Photos: The Charleston Festival features designer vignettes at the Aiken-Rhett House
- A Glimpse into Antebellum Life
- responses to “Insight into Lives of the Enslaved at ARH”
- We Are No Longer Offering the Ft. Sumter Tour Combo
- responses to “Aiken-Rhett House: A Family Legacy”
- Aiken-Rhett House, 1820: A Timeless Chronicle of Charleston’s History
This untouched and unfiltered piece of living history is what makes this museum a popular tourist attraction in Charleston. One vignette was designed by the Historic Charleston Foundation, in the slave quarters behind the home. Staff provided photos, artifacts and information on the enslaved Africans who maintained the house and property while the Aiken family lived there. Nestled in the historic heart of Charleston, the Aiken-Rhett House stands as a beacon of antebellum elegance and architectural grandeur. This historic mansion, with its preserved structures and intricate detailing, offers visitors a rare glimpse into the opulence and intricacies of the pre-Civil War era. The house, with its authentic furnishings and well-preserved interiors, paints a vivid picture of life in the 19th century, making it a treasure trove for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.
Photos: The Charleston Festival features designer vignettes at the Aiken-Rhett House
In order to raise the capital he was forced to sell the home to William Aiken in 1827. That same year the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company was incorporated and Aiken – for whom the city of Aiken was named – was designated its first president. At the back of the house, a laundry business was believed to have been operated by freed slaves after the Emancipation Act, and that room is now on display. The Historic Charleston Foundation manages the property 'preserved as found,' conserving but not restoring it.
A Glimpse into Antebellum Life
The mansion’s walls, echoing with stories of its former inhabitants, provide a profound and immersive journey into a pivotal chapter of Southern history. Amidst the timeless charm of Charleston, South Carolina, where every corner narrates tales of bygone eras and the shadows of the past dance on the historic streets, the Aiken-Rhett House majestically claims its place. This grand residence, untouched by modern alterations, stands as a testament to the city’s rich heritage. Since the entrance was lower than the rest of the house, a new staircase was constructed inside. Upon entering the home, a curved double staircase, made of marble with decorative ironwork and mahogany railings, rises to the main level of the home. The Aiken-Rhett House is a perfect compliment to the Historic Charleston Foundation's other property, the Nathaniel Russell House.
responses to “Insight into Lives of the Enslaved at ARH”
One is the kitchen and laundry and the other a carriage and stable house with sleeping quarters above. Built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson, the Aiken-Rhett House is a testament to the architectural and cultural evolution of Charleston. In 1833, the property was acquired by William Aiken Jr., a governor of South Carolina and one of the state’s wealthiest inhabitants.
Accompanying them were as many as eighteen enslaved people who toiled in the work yard, gardens, stable and kitchen. Russell spared little expense in the construction of his home, regarded as one of Charleston’s finest in its era with geometrically shaped rooms, elaborate plasterwork ornamentation and formal gardens. In 1833, William Aiken Jr. married Harriet Lowndes, and they moved into the house as their primary residence. They made many renovations, earning their property a lofty reputation as one of the most impressive houses of the 19th century. As a wealthy businessman, politician, and governor, William Aiken Jr. went on multiple European tours and purchased many pieces of art that still hang in the Aiken Rhett House today.
International African American Museum April 2024 Events & Hours
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 only restored room in the house, the art gallery, showcases paintings and sculpture the Aiken family acquired on their European Grand Tour. They’d tell you a compelling tale of urban life in antebellum Charleston through the eyes of the powerful and wealthy Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. and the enslaved Africans who maintained their house, property, and way of life. 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.
responses to “Aiken-Rhett House: A Family Legacy”
Historic Charleston Foundation won't sell Russell House Commentary - The Post and Courier
Historic Charleston Foundation won't sell Russell House Commentary.
Posted: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
A National Historic Landmark, the house has been restored as nearly as possible to its 1808 appearance through the application of forensic analysis and cutting-edge conservation technology. Because restoration is an ongoing process, visitors have the opportunity to see and learn about the meticulous care, craft, and consideration that informs every detail. Historic Charleston Foundation’s most recent preservation initiative involves the kitchen house, an ancillary structure that included a kitchen, laundry, and living quarters for the enslaved. By uncovering the material history contained in that structure, the Foundation hopes to further illuminate the lives of the men, women, and children who lived and worked there.
In 1833, the young William Aiken and his new bride, Harriet Lowndes, decided to make the house their primary residence and began an extensive renovation of the property. By all accounts, they created one of the most impressive residences in early 19th-century Charleston. The Frances R. Edmunds Award for Historic Preservation is the Foundation’s highest honor and only presented on special occasions to recognize exceptional personal achievement in the field of historic preservation and service to our Mission Statement. Lori DiNicola, the owner and lead designer of Petaloso, was responsible for many of the floral arrangements throughout the home. Dr. Shannon Noble is reflected among the portraits created by artist Jill Hooper. Designer vignettes decorated the spaces at the Aiken-Rhett House as the Historic Charleston Foundation hosts its 77th annual houses and gardens tour, now named The Charleston Festival, on March 15, 2024.
Aiken-Rhett House, 1820: A Timeless Chronicle of Charleston’s History
It was constructed around 1820 and stands as the most well-preserved early nineteenth century townhouse in the city. The house was originally built for John Robinson, a wealthy merchant from Charleston. Although not legally liable for the cargo on board the ships, he felt obligated to repay the planters for the loss of their crops. Each April, Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) commemorates its 1947 founding by honoring extraordinary contributions in preserving Charleston’s irreplaceable historic built environment and cultural character.
For those seeking to understand the soul of Charleston, a visit to the Aiken-Rhett House is not just recommended; it’s essential. Through its rooms, hallways, and courtyards, visitors can traverse time, gaining a deeper appreciation for the city’s past and its enduring spirit. Beyond the stately walls of the Aiken-Rhett House, guests find themselves in the midst of Charleston’s rich cultural tapestry. The city’s historic district, a short stroll away, is replete with cobblestone streets, grand mansions, and iconic landmarks that echo tales of colonial days, revolutionary fervor, and Southern charm. Notable sites such as the Charleston Museum, the Nathaniel Russell House, and the Battery offer insights into the city’s storied past and architectural evolution. From the rustic allure of traditional Lowcountry cuisine to the innovative flavors of modern eateries, the city offers a gastronomic journey that pays homage to its rich cultural heritage.
The Dock Street Theatre, a short walk from the Aiken-Rhett House, is America’s first theater and still hosts performances today. Additionally, the Old Slave Mart Museum on Chalmers Street provides a sobering look into the city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. 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 enjoyed an extensive European Grand Tour and returned with magnificent fine art and furnishings for their renovated house.
We wanted our design to certainly be inspired by the room," Gardner said. "This room is based in fantasy in that the preservation is as-is, with peeling paint and plaster but certainly no less grand." Monogrammed linens were part of the designer vignettes in the bedroom, decorated by Stephanie Molster of Stephanie Molster Interiors as the Historic Charleston Foundation hosts its 77th annual houses and gardens tour, now named The Charleston Festival. The Aiken Rhett House, sometimes referred to as the William Aiken House, was built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson and sold shortly after in 1825 because of his dire financial situation from a poor business venture. Robinson sold the house to William Aiken, an Irish immigrant who earned wealth as a successful merchant. At this point, his fortune was divided between his wife, Henrietta, and his only son, William Aiken Jr. The Aiken-Rhett House stands as a testament to Charleston’s multifaceted history.
Similarly, once Henrietta and her husband passed, ownership of the Aiken Rhett House was split between their children and their heirs. I’On Rhett and Andrew Burnet Rhett, Jr. lived in the house until the mid-twentieth century. Historic interiors, surviving virtually unaltered since 1858, have been conserved & stabilized. King Street is a shopper’s paradise, divided into districts that cater to different interests. The Design District between Broad and Market streets boasts an array of antique shops and interior design stores. The Fashion District, from Market to Calhoun streets, features both high-end brands and local boutiques.
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