© Historic Charleston Foundation
For 75 years, Historic Charleston Foundation has established a legacy of preserving the historic landscape of Charleston and the Lowcountry and contributed significantly to the management of our region’s growth. Embracing the unique fabric and culture of Charleston—through our easement program to advocacy supporting African American settlement communities, and beyond–the Foundation remains a significant voice and authority in the broader Charleston community. Join us as we celebrate and reflect on the significant impacts of the organization since 1947.
As we look forward to the next 75 years, Historic Charleston Foundation will strengthen its focus on resilience, sustainability, and affordability, while advocating for common-sense development that reflects our community’s values. With a series of events throughout the year, we hope you will join us in our mission-driven work with a renewed commitment to honor Charleston and its people.
The nation’s first Revolving Fund for Preservation, this fund was first created to protect the historically and architecturally significant Ansonborough neighborhood. It has saved 67 properties and has been emulated across the nation.
Close to 400 protective easements and covenants have been put into place around Charleston and the Lowcountry to safeguard the historic integrity of local structures.
HCF purchased and saved these historically and significant treasures, creating opportunities for the public to experience and appreciate Charleston’s history, identity, and the important role preservation plays.
Actively raising the educational level and appreciation for thousands of residents and visitors each year, HCF has made this program the most successful house and garden tour in the country.
HCF acquired McLeod in 1993 and sold it to the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission in 2011. After a lengthy and careful restoration, McLeod opened to the public in 2015. HCF maintains interior and exterior easements on the property, ensuring its pristine historic condition in perpetuity.
HCF was instrumental in shaping this massive building project that launched the rejuvenation of the commercial district downtown.
HCF led the effort to restore the historic Charleston County Courthouse, one of only six surviving colonial statehouses, to its 1792 grandeur, keeping Charleston’s legal community centered at the traditional Four Corners of Law.
This achievement involved primary research, surveys, and extensive work spanning 10 years.
Returned stewardship of the Old Powder Magazine, c. 1712, on Cumberland Street to the Colonial Dames, after completing a major restoration of the building and operating it as a free educational museum.
HCF staff attends regulatory meetings such as the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) and Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), and sponsors or co-sponsors community programs including the Peninsula Advisory Commission, Mobility and Tourism Management forums, and the Preservation Plan.
