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Aiken-Rhett House


Tour the Aiken-Rhett House African Americana at the Aiken-Rhett House
History of the Aiken-Rhett House Slavery in Charleston

The Dining Room

The Aikens added the dining room during their 1830s renovations. Grand dinner parties were one of the most popular entertainments of the day for the upper classes. Deming and Bulkley, a New York cabinet-making firm that specialized in producing furniture for the elite Charleston market, made the furnishings in the room. The table can be extended to comfortably seat 22 people. One of the two original sideboards remains. Ceramics and silver would have been displayed on them.

An enslaved African American butler would have supervised the dinner service and was responsible for selecting and serving wine and liquor. The butler was assisted by liveried footmen. They would place linens on the table and set for the first course before guests arrived.

A portrait of Governor Aiken hangs above the remaining sideboard. Although many of the rooms were closed off in the twentieth century, the Aiken family continued to use the Dining Room. Heating panels were added in the 1950s.

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PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets are $10. Visit both the Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House for $16. Children ages 6-16 are $5 and can visit both for $10. Children ages 5 and younger are free.

Tickets may be purchased at either site.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

LOCATION
48 Elizabeth Street, two blocks from the Charleston Visitor Center.

Click the map above for Driving Directions.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday - Saturday : 10 a.m. - 5 p.m
Sunday : 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Last tour begins at 4:15 p.m.

Features the only "audio tour" in Charleston

INFORMATION
Phone: (843) 723-1159
Email: vperry@historiccharleston.org

GIRL SCOUT OPPORTUNITIES
Learn more about earning credits toward your Local Lore Patch.