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© Historic Charleston Foundation
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Historic Charleston Foundation is an advocacy organization advancing the mission of historic preservation. As historic preservation has evolved into more than a movement to simply save historic buildings, the Foundation has broadened its scope into balancing the needs of modern society with protecting the sensitive fabric of the historic district.
Communities must be vibrant to survive. With vibrancy comes inevitable growth and development. Our mission is to address modern society’s needs – mobility and transportation, tourism, livability and growth – while protecting and preserving the architecture and material culture of Charleston and its Lowcountry environs. Historic Charleston Foundation champions the historic authenticity, cultural character and livability of the Charleston region through advocacy, stewardship and community engagement. The Foundation envisions a livable Charleston that honors its historic places, its people and its culture.
Pictured Above: Deborah Edwards on the porch of her newly renovated Freedmans Cottage in the North Central Neighborhood. Through its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, HCF and the City of Charleston preserved this historically significant structure.
We advocate for all neighborhoods, parks, gardens, historic buildings and the memories they’re made of – and help make the vital decisions that move us all forward.
Why We PreservePreservation in Action
Easements are a successful tool that help protect a historic property by safeguarding its historic character, materials and significance.
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We were the first organization in the country to develop a revolving fund as a preservation strategy.
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The goal of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative is to stabilize neighborhoods by securing the future of their historic structures and community.
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Archaeological digs help answer questions about Charleston’s history that documentary records alone cannot provide.
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We’ve been at the forefront of efforts to protect the nationally significant historic Ashley River Corridor and lead the expansion of the National Register-designated Ashley River Historic District from approximately 7,000 to 24,000 acres.
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To protect the cultural character of our neighborhoods, we’ve embarked upon a housing affordability initiative.
Read MoreAiken-Rhett House & Nathaniel Russell House
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This September, join us at the Aiken-Rhett House Museum for a fun Family Day event benefitting Historic Charleston Foundation! This community-focused event will have something for every member of the...
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Dark History: Tragic Love and Tragic Loss Candlelight Tours of the Aiken-Rhett House Museum Guests are invited to deviate from the normal offerings at the Aiken-Rhett House, and step into some...
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The most anticipated event of the year is right around the corner! On Friday, October 27th, join PreserVISIONist members at the annual Soirée at the historic Nathaniel Russell House Museum! The...
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On the corner of Ashley Avenue and Wentworth Street, a small, brick structure with nearly a century of history has been vacant for nearly 35 years. Abandoned since 1988, Historic…
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As we head into the autumn season, our calendars fill up with social, civic, family, work and other obligations that keep us extremely busy. It is easy to be consumed…
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As the new school year starts, we highlight a few of our most impactful student visits from the past year to showcase the range of custom-designed tours that can be…
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