A Charleston Estate Preserved - Aiken-Rhett House

Built in 1820 for merchant John Robinson, the house is considered nationally significant as one of the best- preserved townhouse complexes in the nation. The original complex was extensively expanded by the powerful and wealthy Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830’s and again in the 1850’s. The property and their lifestyles were maintained by enslaved Africans. The house remained in the Aiken family’s hands for 140+ years before being sold to the Charleston Museum and opened as a house museum in 1975. The Aiken-Rhett house is in preserved condition, not restored like most house museums. The house and its surviving furnishings tell the story of urban life in antebellum Charleston.

Here is what caught my eye; I hope you enjoy!

The front facade of the house

Some images of the basement and outbuildings including slave quarters and kitchen building.

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Open doors to the carriage block of the outbuildings. This area was used to store carriages, livestock and feed. The upper level were more living quarters for the enslaved.

Looking out to the walled work yard and outbuildings from the house.

Looking at the back of the house with the kitchen building with slave quarters on the second floor on the left. On the right is the carriage block buildings with more slave quarters above.

The upper level slave quarters of the kitchen outbuilding.

The curved marble double staircase with decorative ironwork at the main entrance to the main house.

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The house and its surviving furnishings almost give the haunting appearance of an abandoned mansion.

Some of the plaster missing

Despite the obvious cosmetic issues, it is not hard to imagine the family living here in these rooms.

A look at the other side of the huge parlor

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Out on the first floor porch with huge window shutters and an alcove that probably displays a statue at one time.

The first floor gallery is the only room in the house that has been restored and temperature controlled system installed for the preservation of the art work contained in the room. This is a portrait of Harriet Lowndes Aiken in the gallery. She was said to be one of the most aristocratic women in the antebellum South.

Other artwork in the gallery

The large dining room with fireplace and built-ins.

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The ceiling medallion and chandelier in the dining room

Stairway details

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The second floor hall looking out to the porch

Second floor bathroom

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A second floor bed chamber with peeling wallpaper

The second floor withdrawing room / ballroom with touches of the past

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A first floor hallway

I have been to many house museums and all of them had some sort of restoration work involved. The preserved state of this home gives you a haunting feeling when you walk through what you could call preserved decay or a house frozen in time. It definitely gives a different perspective.

What you should know:

• Restrooms are available.

• On the street parking is available, some metered; check posted parking regulations signs. There are also paid parking garages nearby.

• The tours of the house and ground are self-guided.

• You could spend 1 - 1.5 hours here.

• Tickets can be purchased on-line or in-preson. You might want to purchase an Essential Charleston Passport which will get you into eight historical Charleston attractions. This can be purchased on-line, and will save you a couple of bucks.

• Check website for days and hours of operation.

Location: 48 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, SC 29403

For more information: Aiken-Rhett House