Historic Charleston Foundation
Encyclopedia
Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) was founded in 1947 to preserve and protect the integrity of architectural, historical and cultural heritage of Charleston, South Carolina
, USA. The Foundation undertakes advocacy, participation in community planning, educational and volunteer programs, the preservation of properties, research, and technical and financial assistance programs.
Preservation coupled with education and outreach is at the heart of the HCF mission. This mission is supported through the generosity of preservation-minded donors, the Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens, the Charleston International Antiques Show, a licensed products program, and retail shops. In addition, HCF fulfills its educational mission through the interpretation of its collections and two museum sites: the Nathaniel Russell House, c. 1808, and the Aiken-Rhett House, c. 1818.
In 2007, Historic Charleston Foundation urged the city to undertake the development of a new Preservation Plan to update its 1975 plan and donated $75,000 to begin the process as a part of the its 60th anniversary celebration. Adopted in 2008, the plan’s recommendations address myriad 21st century issues, including land use and zoning, public education of preservation issues, a detailed analysis of historic neighborhoods, affordable housing, transportation, and the design review process.
In 2008, HCF was recognized by the state of South Carolina with an “Angel Award,” recognizing only 10 nonprofit organizations statewide as models of charitable organizations, ensuring that its philanthropic funding effectively and efficiently support its mission. In 2009, HCF and the city’s new Preservation Plan were recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with one of its coveted national awards.
A Request for Alteration Form must be submtted to the easement manager for any alterations or repairs to easement or covenant properties. The request must be approved prior to any changes or construction. Questions about repairs or alterations should be addressed to the easement manager.
Owners of an easement property are legally obligated to honor the terms of the easement, while retaining ownership of the property. Easement donors make a gift to current and future generations when they voluntarily place perpetual restrictions on their historic property. When an easement donor makes a "qualified contribution" of an easement, the donor is entitled to an income tax deduction.
HCF is also known for its historic easement and covenant programs, holding more than 380 easements and covenants that protect historic buildings in the city and outlying areas. Properties protected by these programs by HCF are as diverse as the William Gibbes House
in Charleston to Auldbrass, the only plantation designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
, in Yemassee
.
Today, more than ever, effective tools such as conservation easements are an essential force in securing our architectural and historic heritage.
Through the Revolving Fund, Historic Charleston Foundation sought to purchase, stabilize and resell historic properties with protective covenants in Ansonborough where, over a 12-year period, more than 60 structures were rehabilitated. The accomplishment was hailed nationwide, and other preservation programs across the United States modeled local initiatives on the Charleston program.
HCF's Ansonborough project is considered one of the first successful attempts in the country to preserve an entire neighborhood.
The Revolving Fund was revitalized in 2004 with a $300,000 gift from the estate of Mrs. Charles Henry (Elizabeth) Woodward. With this seed money, HCF purchased 79 Anson Street and 9 George Street, both of which were sold with protective covenants to preservation-minded buyers. In 2005, HCF purchased 13 Pitt Street, one of the largest properties in Harleston Village, and one that retains much of its original historic fabric. It, too, was sold to a responsible buyer who placed protective covenants on the property and will soon undertake a sensitive renovation.
Historic Charleston Foundation partnered with Charleston's Habitat for Humanity and the City of Charleston in 2010 on the rehabilitation of a small, single-style house on Lee Street (the house was completed in Feb. 2011).
This was the first joint project between the three entities. The City of Charleston's Department of Housing and Urban Development identified the property and family in need. Charleston Habitat for Humanity (HFH) confirmed that the family met requirements for assistance and is supervising subcontractors and volunteers. HCF has been involved in the preservation of the historic elements of the building and is contributing funds for the joint project through its Neighborhood Impact Initiative program. Restrictive covenants were placed on the house on Lee Street by HCF at the completion of the project to protect the property's historic integrity.
The Aiken-Rhett House
stands alone as the most intact townhouse complex showcasing urban life in antebellum Charleston. Built in 1818 and greatly expanded by Gov. and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and 1850s, the house has survived virtually unaltered since 1858.
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, Harriet Lowndes Aiken, traveled in Europe and returned with magnificent fine art and furnishings. Today, visitors will find many of these objects in the same rooms for which they were purchased.
The Aiken-Rhett House remained in the family until 1975 and has been owned by Historic Charleston Foundation since 1995. The foundation has adopted a conservation approach to the interpretation of this important house and its outbuildings.
Nathaniel Russell House
51 Meeting Street
Since 1808, visitors have admired the grand Federal townhouse of Charleston merchant Nathaniel Russell. Set amid spacious formal gardens, the Nathaniel Russell House is a National Historic Landmark and is widely recognized as one of America’s most important neoclassical dwellings. The graceful interior with elaborate plasterwork ornamentation, geometrically shaped rooms and a magnificent free-flying staircase are among the most exuberant ever created in early America.
Located in Downtown Charleston near High Battery, the house is furnished with period antiques and works of art that evoke the gracious lifestyle of the city's merchant elite.
Today the Nathaniel Russell House interprets the lives of the Russell family, as well as the African American slaves and artisans who were responsible for maintaining one of the South's grandest antebellum townhouses.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, USA. The Foundation undertakes advocacy, participation in community planning, educational and volunteer programs, the preservation of properties, research, and technical and financial assistance programs.
History
Established in 1947, Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve and protect the historical, architectural and material culture that make up Charleston's rich and irreplaceable heritage. The Foundation is known for its education and outreach, preservation and advocacy programs including protective covenants and easements, and it is the first organization in the country to establish a revolving fund to acquire and preserve important buildings, a model now replicated in historic communities across the nation. Preservation coupled with education and outreach is at the heart of the HCF mission. This mission is supported through the generosity of preservation-minded donors, the Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens, the Charleston International Antiques Show, a licensed products program, and retail shops. In addition, HCF fulfills its educational mission through the interpretation of its collections and two museum sites: the Nathaniel Russell House, c. 1808, and the Aiken-Rhett House, c. 1818.Preservation
Since 1940, Charleston has lost several hundred historic structures and nearly one-third of the antebellum plantation buildings in the surrounding countryside. Countless battlefields and archaeological sites have been destroyed by development. Construction since 1970 has caused significant encroachment on the quantity and quality of our precious heritage sites, sometimes through demolition, but more often through neglect, improper maintenance, insensitive alteration, or large scale sprawl development.Preservation coupled with education and outreach is at the heart of the HCF mission. This mission is supported through the generosity of preservation-minded donors, the Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens, the Charleston International Antiques Show, a licensed products program, and retail shops. In addition, HCF fulfills its educational mission through the interpretation of its collections and two museum sites: the Nathaniel Russell House, c. 1808, and the Aiken-Rhett House, c. 1818.
In 2007, Historic Charleston Foundation urged the city to undertake the development of a new Preservation Plan to update its 1975 plan and donated $75,000 to begin the process as a part of the its 60th anniversary celebration. Adopted in 2008, the plan’s recommendations address myriad 21st century issues, including land use and zoning, public education of preservation issues, a detailed analysis of historic neighborhoods, affordable housing, transportation, and the design review process.
In 2008, HCF was recognized by the state of South Carolina with an “Angel Award,” recognizing only 10 nonprofit organizations statewide as models of charitable organizations, ensuring that its philanthropic funding effectively and efficiently support its mission. In 2009, HCF and the city’s new Preservation Plan were recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with one of its coveted national awards.
Easements and covenants
A preservation easement is a legal agreement between the owner of a historic property and Historic Charleston Foundation that establishes perpetual protection for the property. An easement allows homeowners to prevent inappropriate changes from being made to their historic property by giving Historic Charleston Foundation the ability to work with current and future owners to safeguard its historic character, materials and significance.A Request for Alteration Form must be submtted to the easement manager for any alterations or repairs to easement or covenant properties. The request must be approved prior to any changes or construction. Questions about repairs or alterations should be addressed to the easement manager.
Owners of an easement property are legally obligated to honor the terms of the easement, while retaining ownership of the property. Easement donors make a gift to current and future generations when they voluntarily place perpetual restrictions on their historic property. When an easement donor makes a "qualified contribution" of an easement, the donor is entitled to an income tax deduction.
HCF is also known for its historic easement and covenant programs, holding more than 380 easements and covenants that protect historic buildings in the city and outlying areas. Properties protected by these programs by HCF are as diverse as the William Gibbes House
William Gibbes House
The William Gibbes House, located at 64 South Battery, Charleston, South Carolina, was built for Mr. Gibbes between 1772 and 1788. The Smith family remodeled portions of the house in about 1800 in the Adamesque style including the marble steps in front. The cove-ceilinged ballroom is considered one...
in Charleston to Auldbrass, the only plantation designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
, in Yemassee
Yemassee, South Carolina
Yemassee is a town in Beaufort and Hampton counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 1,027 at the 2010 census. Yemassee is also very near the borders of Colleton and Jasper counties and is often considered to be the geographical center or heart of the Lowcountry region...
.
Today, more than ever, effective tools such as conservation easements are an essential force in securing our architectural and historic heritage.
Revolving fund
Historic Charleston Foundation was the first organization in the country to develop the Revolving Fund as a preservation strategy. The initiation of this fund in 1958 enabled the Foundation to begin the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project, an extraordinary effort to save a six-block neighborhood bordered by Market, Calhoun, East Bay and Meeting streets.Through the Revolving Fund, Historic Charleston Foundation sought to purchase, stabilize and resell historic properties with protective covenants in Ansonborough where, over a 12-year period, more than 60 structures were rehabilitated. The accomplishment was hailed nationwide, and other preservation programs across the United States modeled local initiatives on the Charleston program.
HCF's Ansonborough project is considered one of the first successful attempts in the country to preserve an entire neighborhood.
The Revolving Fund was revitalized in 2004 with a $300,000 gift from the estate of Mrs. Charles Henry (Elizabeth) Woodward. With this seed money, HCF purchased 79 Anson Street and 9 George Street, both of which were sold with protective covenants to preservation-minded buyers. In 2005, HCF purchased 13 Pitt Street, one of the largest properties in Harleston Village, and one that retains much of its original historic fabric. It, too, was sold to a responsible buyer who placed protective covenants on the property and will soon undertake a sensitive renovation.
Historic Charleston Foundation partnered with Charleston's Habitat for Humanity and the City of Charleston in 2010 on the rehabilitation of a small, single-style house on Lee Street (the house was completed in Feb. 2011).
This was the first joint project between the three entities. The City of Charleston's Department of Housing and Urban Development identified the property and family in need. Charleston Habitat for Humanity (HFH) confirmed that the family met requirements for assistance and is supervising subcontractors and volunteers. HCF has been involved in the preservation of the historic elements of the building and is contributing funds for the joint project through its Neighborhood Impact Initiative program. Restrictive covenants were placed on the house on Lee Street by HCF at the completion of the project to protect the property's historic integrity.
Aiken-Rhett House
48 Elizabeth StreetThe Aiken-Rhett House
Gov. William Aiken House
The Gov. William Aiken House, also known as the Aiken-Rhett House, or the Robinson-Aiken House, is a home built in 1820 at 48 Elizabeth Street in Charleston, South Carolina....
stands alone as the most intact townhouse complex showcasing urban life in antebellum Charleston. Built in 1818 and greatly expanded by Gov. and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and 1850s, the house has survived virtually unaltered since 1858.
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, Harriet Lowndes Aiken, traveled in Europe and returned with magnificent fine art and furnishings. Today, visitors will find many of these objects in the same rooms for which they were purchased.
The Aiken-Rhett House remained in the family until 1975 and has been owned by Historic Charleston Foundation since 1995. The foundation has adopted a conservation approach to the interpretation of this important house and its outbuildings.
Nathaniel Russell HouseNathaniel Russell HouseThe Nathaniel Russell House is a historic house located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina near High Battery. It belonged to Nathaniel Russell, a Rhode Island merchant, who spent $80,000 on this Adamesque building before 1809. He and his wife, Sarah Russell, lived in the house during the early...
51 Meeting StreetSince 1808, visitors have admired the grand Federal townhouse of Charleston merchant Nathaniel Russell. Set amid spacious formal gardens, the Nathaniel Russell House is a National Historic Landmark and is widely recognized as one of America’s most important neoclassical dwellings. The graceful interior with elaborate plasterwork ornamentation, geometrically shaped rooms and a magnificent free-flying staircase are among the most exuberant ever created in early America.
Located in Downtown Charleston near High Battery, the house is furnished with period antiques and works of art that evoke the gracious lifestyle of the city's merchant elite.
Today the Nathaniel Russell House interprets the lives of the Russell family, as well as the African American slaves and artisans who were responsible for maintaining one of the South's grandest antebellum townhouses.