 he origins of the organized preservation movement in Charleston can be traced to concerns raised in the
1920s as purchases by collectors and museums resulted in rooms and, in some cases, entire interiors of
historic houses being dismantled and shipped out of the city. Unfortunately, the destruction of historic
interiors in Charleston remains a serious threat.
 |
The Charleston family who owns the George Eveleigh House, c.1743, at 39 Church Street has continued a long
tradition of family stewardship, including the donation of an interior easement to protect the building fabric and unique
features of this important early residence. |
Unprecedented economic prosperity, the demands of 21st century lifestyles and the desire for enlarged
kitchens, bathrooms and state-of-the-art infrastructure can result in unacceptable loss of original
materials, architectural features and historic floor plans. Owners who are sensitive to this problem
| Kincaid's Western Tenement, c.1777, at 4 Legare Street is another early
dwelling now protected by an interior easement donated to the Foundation. |
 |
can protect the interiors of their houses from inappropriate future changes by conveying easements over
all or a portion of the interior to the Foundation. This allows HCF to provide the same degree of protection
to interiors that it has so successfully applied to building exteriors throughout Charleston.
Protecting historic interiors will continue to be one of the most pressing preservation challenges of the next several decades.
|
|
