 reedman's cottages are small, one-story dwellings with side piazzas, sometimes described by architectural historians as a subset of the Charleston single house. Indeed, they appear at first glance to be a one-story version of this well-studied architectural type.
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"Freedman's cottages" are commonly found in the neighborhoods north of Calhoun Street and are one
of the few architectural forms almost exclusively associated with African-Americans. |
Long associated with African-Americans, freedman's cottages have not been thoroughly studied for their architectural associations. Along with the shotgun house and praise house, the freedman's cottage may represent one of the only vernacular architectural types in America to be associated exclusively with African-American history.
The floor plan of many freedman's cottages feature one room to either side of a central fireplace and chimney. Oriented with the gable end to the street, the cottages were originally entered through a piazza screen. Located along the piazza were two entrance doors, one going into each of the two principal rooms. Because of their small size, many freedman's cottages have been enlarged. Additions were usually placed to the rear, but in some instances, the piazzas were also enclosed.
Freedman's cottages can be found throughout Charleston's historic district, but are concentrated in predominately African-American neighborhoods in the northern sections of Charleston's peninsula, including Elliottborough, Radcliffeborough and neighborhoods near and to the north of the Crosstown Expressway (Hwy. 17 South).
In the summer of 2005, HCF intern Paige Wagoner documented local freedman's cottages (abstract). A full copy of the report is available through the Margaretta Childs Archives.
| As property values soar all across Charleston's peninsula,
these small freedman's cottages are increasingly threatened by demolition to make
room for new, more upscale modern housing. |
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The cottages appear to often have been built in clusters by white developers for rental to newly freed slaves in the years following the Civil War. Obviously, this was a time during which many people needed affordable housing. Construction dates seem to be concentrated from the middle to the end of the 19th century, although this form was still being built in the early 20th century. Today, it is not unusual to find freedman's cottages remaining in the rows and concentrations of these developments.
Because of their small size, their locations in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and the ever-rising property values throughout the city of Charleston, freedman's cottages are increasingly under threat. The number of demolition requests for these small buildings has risen dramatically in the past several years. Much more study of this architectural type needs to be undertaken to understand their importance and to assess their feasibility as affordable housing for the 21st century.
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