Aiken-Rhett House: A Family Legacy

Table Of Content

• Photos: The Charleston Festival features designer vignettes at the Aiken-Rhett House
• Plan a visit to the Aiken Rhett House Museum
• A perennial spring visitor draw goes beyond Charleston home and garden tours
• Arts and Entertainment
• A Glimpse into Antebellum Life
• responses to “Aiken-Rhett House: A Family Legacy”

The interior pictured below is the upper level of the outbuilding to the right of the main house. The first level served as a kitchen and laundry, with the upstairs serving as sleeping quarters for the enslaved. The windows of the upstairs hall overlook the courtyard onto the carriage house. Aiken, Jr. lived in the house until his death in 1887, at which time he left the property to his family. The house remained in the family until 1975, when it was donated to the Charleston Museum.

Photos: The Charleston Festival features designer vignettes at the Aiken-Rhett House

In order to raise the capital he was forced to sell the home to William Aiken in 1827. That same year the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company was incorporated and Aiken – for whom the city of Aiken was named – was designated its first president. At the back of the house, a laundry business was believed to have been operated by freed slaves after the Emancipation Act, and that room is now on display. The Historic Charleston Foundation manages the property 'preserved as found,' conserving but not restoring it.

Plan a visit to the Aiken Rhett House Museum

We wanted our design to certainly be inspired by the room," Gardner said. "This room is based in fantasy in that the preservation is as-is, with peeling paint and plaster but certainly no less grand." Monogrammed linens were part of the designer vignettes in the bedroom, decorated by Stephanie Molster of Stephanie Molster Interiors as the Historic Charleston Foundation hosts its 77th annual houses and gardens tour, now named The Charleston Festival. The Aiken Rhett House, sometimes referred to as the William Aiken House, was built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson and sold shortly after in 1825 because of his dire financial situation from a poor business venture. Robinson sold the house to William Aiken, an Irish immigrant who earned wealth as a successful merchant. At this point, his fortune was divided between his wife, Henrietta, and his only son, William Aiken Jr. The Aiken-Rhett House stands as a testament to Charleston’s multifaceted history.

A perennial spring visitor draw goes beyond Charleston home and garden tours

In 1858, while abroad, Governor Aiken commissioned his cousin, Joseph Daniel Aiken, to design and oversee the construction of an art gallery, the only one of its kind in the city. Today, many of the objects acquired by the Aikens on their travels remain in the rooms for which they were purchased. The only restored room in the house, the art gallery, showcases paintings and sculpture the Aiken family acquired on their European Grand Tour. They’d tell you a compelling tale of urban life in antebellum Charleston through the eyes of the powerful and wealthy Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. and the enslaved Africans who maintained their house, property, and way of life. The back lot of the Aiken-Rhett House is where the slaves worked and lived, and they probably took their meals communally in the kitchen.

Arts and Entertainment

Accompanying them were as many as eighteen enslaved people who toiled in the work yard, gardens, stable and kitchen. Russell spared little expense in the construction of his home, regarded as one of Charleston’s finest in its era with geometrically shaped rooms, elaborate plasterwork ornamentation and formal gardens. In 1833, William Aiken Jr. married Harriet Lowndes, and they moved into the house as their primary residence. They made many renovations, earning their property a lofty reputation as one of the most impressive houses of the 19th century. As a wealthy businessman, politician, and governor, William Aiken Jr. went on multiple European tours and purchased many pieces of art that still hang in the Aiken Rhett House today.

A Glimpse into Antebellum Life

This year, we are honored to celebrate the following individuals and organizations who are instrumental to the past, present and future authenticity of Charleston and the Lowcountry. Awards include the Stoney Craftsmanship Award, the Whitelaw Founders Award, and the Joseph H. In addition, HCF will recognize two incredible members of our community with a special recognition award to honor their years of dedication to Charleston’s historic gardens. Reserved for only the most special occasions, this year the Foundation will also present Charter Day’s highest honor, the Frances R. Edmunds Award, to an integral Foundation staff member for the past 45 years.

Fletcher Williams's World – Garden & Gun - Garden & Gun

Fletcher Williams's World – Garden & Gun.

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Visit the Aiken-Rhett House

In 1833, the young William Aiken and his new bride, Harriet Lowndes, decided to make the house their primary residence and began an extensive renovation of the property. By all accounts, they created one of the most impressive residences in early 19th-century Charleston. The Frances R. Edmunds Award for Historic Preservation is the Foundation’s highest honor and only presented on special occasions to recognize exceptional personal achievement in the field of historic preservation and service to our Mission Statement. Lori DiNicola, the owner and lead designer of Petaloso, was responsible for many of the floral arrangements throughout the home. Dr. Shannon Noble is reflected among the portraits created by artist Jill Hooper. Designer vignettes decorated the spaces at the Aiken-Rhett House as the Historic Charleston Foundation hosts its 77th annual houses and gardens tour, now named The Charleston Festival, on March 15, 2024.

responses to “Aiken-Rhett House: A Family Legacy”

A National Historic Landmark, the house has been restored as nearly as possible to its 1808 appearance through the application of forensic analysis and cutting-edge conservation technology. Because restoration is an ongoing process, visitors have the opportunity to see and learn about the meticulous care, craft, and consideration that informs every detail. Historic Charleston Foundation’s most recent preservation initiative involves the kitchen house, an ancillary structure that included a kitchen, laundry, and living quarters for the enslaved. By uncovering the material history contained in that structure, the Foundation hopes to further illuminate the lives of the men, women, and children who lived and worked there.

It was constructed around 1820 and stands as the most well-preserved early nineteenth century townhouse in the city. The house was originally built for John Robinson, a wealthy merchant from Charleston. Although not legally liable for the cargo on board the ships, he felt obligated to repay the planters for the loss of their crops. Each April, Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) commemorates its 1947 founding by honoring extraordinary contributions in preserving Charleston’s irreplaceable historic built environment and cultural character.

One is the kitchen and laundry and the other a carriage and stable house with sleeping quarters above. Built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson, the Aiken-Rhett House is a testament to the architectural and cultural evolution of Charleston. In 1833, the property was acquired by William Aiken Jr., a governor of South Carolina and one of the state’s wealthiest inhabitants.

The Aiken-Rhett House, with its preserved architecture and storied corridors, stands as a testament to Charleston’s rich tapestry of history. Each room and hallway resonates with tales from a bygone era, offering visitors a tangible connection to the past. As one explores this historic mansion, it becomes evident that it’s not just a monument, but a living narrative of the city’s heritage. Departing guests leave with a deeper appreciation for Charleston’s legacy, carrying memories that linger long after their visit. The Aiken-Rhett House’s location on Elizabeth Street places it at the heart of Charleston’s historic district. Just a few blocks away, visitors can explore the Nathaniel Russell House, another historic mansion that offers insights into the city’s antebellum period.

For those seeking to understand the soul of Charleston, a visit to the Aiken-Rhett House is not just recommended; it’s essential. Through its rooms, hallways, and courtyards, visitors can traverse time, gaining a deeper appreciation for the city’s past and its enduring spirit. Beyond the stately walls of the Aiken-Rhett House, guests find themselves in the midst of Charleston’s rich cultural tapestry. The city’s historic district, a short stroll away, is replete with cobblestone streets, grand mansions, and iconic landmarks that echo tales of colonial days, revolutionary fervor, and Southern charm. Notable sites such as the Charleston Museum, the Nathaniel Russell House, and the Battery offer insights into the city’s storied past and architectural evolution. From the rustic allure of traditional Lowcountry cuisine to the innovative flavors of modern eateries, the city offers a gastronomic journey that pays homage to its rich cultural heritage.

Greatly expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken Jr. in the 1830s and 1850s, the house and its outbuildings, including quarters for enslaved African Americans, survive in a condition that depicts the ways they have changed and evolved over time. The house spent 142 years in the family's hands before it was sold to the Charleston Museum, and it opened as a house museum in 1975. Built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson, the Aiken-Rhett House is nationally significant as one of the best-preserved townhouse complexes in the nation. Vastly expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and again in the 1850s, the house and its outbuildings include a kitchen, the original slave quarters, carriage block and back lot.

The mansion’s walls, echoing with stories of its former inhabitants, provide a profound and immersive journey into a pivotal chapter of Southern history. Amidst the timeless charm of Charleston, South Carolina, where every corner narrates tales of bygone eras and the shadows of the past dance on the historic streets, the Aiken-Rhett House majestically claims its place. This grand residence, untouched by modern alterations, stands as a testament to the city’s rich heritage. Since the entrance was lower than the rest of the house, a new staircase was constructed inside. Upon entering the home, a curved double staircase, made of marble with decorative ironwork and mahogany railings, rises to the main level of the home. The Aiken-Rhett House is a perfect compliment to the Historic Charleston Foundation's other property, the Nathaniel Russell House.

This untouched and unfiltered piece of living history is what makes this museum a popular tourist attraction in Charleston. One vignette was designed by the Historic Charleston Foundation, in the slave quarters behind the home. Staff provided photos, artifacts and information on the enslaved Africans who maintained the house and property while the Aiken family lived there. Nestled in the historic heart of Charleston, the Aiken-Rhett House stands as a beacon of antebellum elegance and architectural grandeur. This historic mansion, with its preserved structures and intricate detailing, offers visitors a rare glimpse into the opulence and intricacies of the pre-Civil War era. The house, with its authentic furnishings and well-preserved interiors, paints a vivid picture of life in the 19th century, making it a treasure trove for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts.

Similarly, once Henrietta and her husband passed, ownership of the Aiken Rhett House was split between their children and their heirs. I’On Rhett and Andrew Burnet Rhett, Jr. lived in the house until the mid-twentieth century. Historic interiors, surviving virtually unaltered since 1858, have been conserved & stabilized. King Street is a shopper’s paradise, divided into districts that cater to different interests. The Design District between Broad and Market streets boasts an array of antique shops and interior design stores. The Fashion District, from Market to Calhoun streets, features both high-end brands and local boutiques.