 hanks to an anonymous $165,000 grant and a generous financial
contribution from the Post and Courier Foundation, Historic Charleston Foundation's Neighborhood Impact Initiative was revitalized in
2001. Work was completed in the spring of 2003 at 236 St. Philip Street, the first of three properties donated to the Foundation by the Post
and Courier. The house, which was rehabilitated by Charter Restoration LLC, was restored and sold to a first-time homebuyer with protective
covenants. The house, which dates from the 1850s, had been badly modified over time and had been vacant for a number of years.
HCF has also undertaken the rehabilitation of 216 and 218 St. Philip Street, the other two properties donated by the Post and Courier
Foundation. 218 St. Philip Street is particularly significant as it is the site of the first African-American bank in Charleston. The
Peoples Federation Bank was founded in 1920 and served the community throughout the ensuing decade. The bank was established along with
several other commercial businesses in the house, which was built in 1849 by John Hartz, a local grocer who also built the house at 216 St. Philip Street.
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