Opulent Southern Living - Nathaniel Russell House

This house was built on Meeting Street in 1808 for wealthy merchant and slave trader Nathaniel Russell. While most of his profits came from the exportation of Carolina Gold rice, indigo, tobacco and cotton, he did participate in the African slave trade both before and after the American Revolution. The house remained in the Russell family until 1857, when it was purchased by Governor R.F.W. Allston. The house was converted into a school for a period and then converted back to a private residence again. The house is a National Historic Landmark and was purchased by the Historic Charleston Foundation in 1955.

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

Looking at the front facade

First floor sitting room

The graceful free-flying, three-story staircase

The grand staircase is believed to be the work of African-American craftsmen.

The kitchen building excavation with findings discovered exhibited. There are also findings from a historic rat’s nest which was interesting.

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One of two wide, decorative doors that separate the front public vestibule from the private family space.

The staircase with a painting of Mary Rutledge Smith and son Edward by George Romney

Another view of the spiral staircase

The oval dining room

Notice the glass wine rinsing bowl on the table. I had never seen this used before.

Although the art and furniture are not original to the house, they are of the period and mainly Charleston origin

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Highly decorative moldings and trim and a portrait of Nathaniel Russell.

The second-floor oval drawing room

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The primary bedroom

The ‘necessary’ in the primary bedroom

This was called a ‘rice bed’ because of the carved rice stalks on their posts.

Some furniture and art exhibit at the end of the tour

The entrance to the kitchen building

The front upper facade

Looking from the traditional Charleston side yard at the house’s four-sided bay.

What you should know:

• Restrooms are available.

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

• House tours are 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: 51 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401

For more information: Nathaniel Russell House