Preservation Society of Charleston
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1920, the Preservation Society of Charleston is the oldest community-based historic preservation organization in the United States. Miss Susan Pringle Frost founded the organization, known at first as the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings, in 1920 along with a small group of Charleston's elite.
The group met on April 21, 1920, at 20 South Battery (the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pringle) and voted to try to save the circa 1803 Joseph Manigault House
which was slated for demolition to make way for a gas station.
In 1931 the Society was instrumental in persuading Charleston City Council to pass the first zoning ordinance enacted to protect historic resources. The ordinance established the first Board of Architectural Review and designated a 138 acre (0.55846668 km²) “Old and Historic District”. The ordinance limited alterations to the exteriors of historic buildings and made provision for prosecuting violations.
In 1957 the Society took on its current name to reflect an expanded mission to protect not only dwellings but all sites and structures of historic significance or aesthetic value. The Society has sought to fulfill its mission through programs that focus on preservation education, advocacy, and planning.
One of the best-known programs of the Society is its Carolopolis Award. Carolopolis Awards recognize excellent examples of preservation, renovation, restoration, and even new construction in Charleston. The awards are given each year in January at the Society's annual meeting. The Society has also published a quarterly newsletter, Preservation Progress, since 1956. The Society was one of the first organizations in South Carolina to accept exterior and interior preservation easements.
Today the Society has over 2,000 members from South Carolina and 35 other states who are concerned about the future of Charleston's historic districts. The Society is a volunteer organization administered by a volunteer board and six paid staff members. Board members chair committees made up of volunteers who work with the staff to advocate for the preservation of Charleston’s architectural heritage.
In recognition of its efforts, the American Institute of Architects presented the Preservation Society of Charleston with its 1996 Institute Honor Award. The award recognized the Society for “being as much a part of Charleston, South Carolina history as protector of it, this Society has wrought a standard of commitment to community befitting the beauty and rich legacy of the city it has served for over 75 years.”
The Society has been headquartered at 147 King St., Charleston, South Carolina
(at the corner of King St. and Queen St.) since 1978 in the circa 1878–1880 Ernest Hesse grocery.
Walter J. Fraser, Jr., Charleston! Charleston! 366, 377 (1989) (ISBN 1-57003-598-9).
The group met on April 21, 1920, at 20 South Battery (the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pringle) and voted to try to save the circa 1803 Joseph Manigault House
Joseph Manigault House
Joseph Manigault House is a historic house museum in Charleston, South Carolina that is owned and operated by the Charleston Museum. The house is significant for its Adam style architecture, and was designed by Gabriel Manigault to be the home of his brother, and was completed in 1803.It was...
which was slated for demolition to make way for a gas station.
In 1931 the Society was instrumental in persuading Charleston City Council to pass the first zoning ordinance enacted to protect historic resources. The ordinance established the first Board of Architectural Review and designated a 138 acre (0.55846668 km²) “Old and Historic District”. The ordinance limited alterations to the exteriors of historic buildings and made provision for prosecuting violations.
In 1957 the Society took on its current name to reflect an expanded mission to protect not only dwellings but all sites and structures of historic significance or aesthetic value. The Society has sought to fulfill its mission through programs that focus on preservation education, advocacy, and planning.
One of the best-known programs of the Society is its Carolopolis Award. Carolopolis Awards recognize excellent examples of preservation, renovation, restoration, and even new construction in Charleston. The awards are given each year in January at the Society's annual meeting. The Society has also published a quarterly newsletter, Preservation Progress, since 1956. The Society was one of the first organizations in South Carolina to accept exterior and interior preservation easements.
Today the Society has over 2,000 members from South Carolina and 35 other states who are concerned about the future of Charleston's historic districts. The Society is a volunteer organization administered by a volunteer board and six paid staff members. Board members chair committees made up of volunteers who work with the staff to advocate for the preservation of Charleston’s architectural heritage.
In recognition of its efforts, the American Institute of Architects presented the Preservation Society of Charleston with its 1996 Institute Honor Award. The award recognized the Society for “being as much a part of Charleston, South Carolina history as protector of it, this Society has wrought a standard of commitment to community befitting the beauty and rich legacy of the city it has served for over 75 years.”
The Society has been headquartered at 147 King St., Charleston, South Carolina
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...
(at the corner of King St. and Queen St.) since 1978 in the circa 1878–1880 Ernest Hesse grocery.
Sources
Walter Edgar, Jr., ed. "The South Carolina Encyclopedia." 753-754. (2006) (ISBN 0-87249-643-0).Walter J. Fraser, Jr., Charleston! Charleston! 366, 377 (1989) (ISBN 1-57003-598-9).