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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
To protect the cultural character of our neighborhoods, we’ve embarked upon a housing affordability initiative.
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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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Easements are a successful tool that help protect a historic property by safeguarding its historic character, materials and significance.
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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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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.
Read MoreAiken-Rhett House & Nathaniel Russell House
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Clap your hands and stomp your feet during an exhilarating performance of Gullah spirituals and the music of the Sea Islands. The ancestors of the Gullah people brought a rich...
Buy TicketsLed by Charleston's most experienced guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for your stay in Charleston, detailing its notable history and...
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We’re toasting your time in the Lowcountry! Join us by the beautiful Charleston Harbor for a wine tasting featuring four varietals, curated and presented by the expert sommeliers from Savi...
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Isle of Palms Bath House and Pavilion: Prior to the summer of 1898, the landscape of the Isle of Palms consisted of sand, palmetto thickets, wild dunes, “a semitropical jungle…
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Please view the specs for advertising in the 2022 Festival of Houses and Gardens brochure (fall publication) and program (spring publication) by clicking this link to a 3 page pdf…
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This building was located at 52-54 Beaufain Street on the site where Memminger Auditorium is today. There’s no history of this house in HCF’s Archives. What is known is that…
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