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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
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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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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Archaeological digs help answer questions about Charleston’s history that documentary records alone cannot provide.
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To protect the cultural character of our neighborhoods, we’ve embarked upon a housing affordability initiative.
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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.
Read MoreAiken-Rhett House & Nathaniel Russell House
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Opening September 29 at the preserved-as-found Aiken-Rhett House Museum, master dyer and environmental artist, Mary Edna Fraser, will present a visual arts exhibit, FLIGHT. The exhibit, on display September 29...
Buy TicketsJoin us for a night of colonial mixology! Carin Bloom, Historic Charleston Foundation's Manager of Education, will teach guests about unusual cocktails from Charleston's past. The class will offer light...
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Historic Charleston Foundation is excited to announce Community Day at The Aiken-Rhett House Museum. This family-friendly day features free admission to the Aiken-Rhett House Museum, including the Flight textile installation...
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Historic Charleston Foundation invests 100% of every donation received at the Nathaniel Russell House in the continued preservation and restoration of this historic site. With your help, we tackle projects…
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American merchant ships began a direct line of trade to China shortly after the Revolutionary War and, by the end of the eighteenth century, had made the United States second…
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The State Ports Authority (SPA) is poised to redevelop the 70-acre Union Pier site in the historic district along the Cooper River. Redevelopment of Union Pier is a critically important…
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