Wealthy Urban Charleston Living - Joseph Manigault House

Gabriel Manigault designed this house for his brother, to reflect his wealthy lifestyle. The Manigault family owned several plantations, and hundreds of slaves. The house was sold in 1852 to George N. Reynolds, Jr., and then passing to John S. Riggs in 1864. Preservationists saved the house in 1920, when it was almost demolished to make way for a gas station.In 1933, the Charleston Museum purchased the 1803 house and has been preserving it and conducting tours ever since. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973.

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

Looking through the entrance gatehouse folly

The main facade of the house has a two-story porch across the front.

The grounds surrounding the house. In the background you can see the gatehouse entrance which is considered an architectural folly.

Inside the dining room

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The dining room

The striking spiral staircase in the center hall

The central hall fireplace with a portrait of Charlotte Drayton, Joseph Manigault’s second wife, whom he had eight children with.

A portrait of Joseph Manigault over the fireplace

The central hall chandelier and beautiful ceiling

A look down the ‘flying staircase’

The Music Room with a portrait of Elizabeth Wragg Manigault over the fireplace. Elizabeth was the daughter of Gabriel Manigault, the designer of the home.

Notice the tapestry straps on either side of the fireplace that are part of the house’s servant call bell system.

The Music Room

The Sitting Room

One of the family bedrooms with a ‘rice bed’. Wealthy rice planters had four-poster beds carved with the intricate sheaves of rice.

What you should know:

• Mansion tours are guided and the garden tour is 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.

• Restrooms are available.

• On the street parking is available nearby; check posted parking regulations signs.

• Check website for days and hours of operation.

Location: 350 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403

For more information: Joseph Manigault House