Aiken-Rhett House

Preserved "as-found" and frozen in time.
Open daily from 10 am - 5 pm. Last tour at 4 pm.

The History of the Aiken-Rhett House

The house and its surviving furnishings offer a compelling portrait of urban life in antebellum Charleston.

Vastly expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and again in the 1850s, the house and its outbuildings include a kitchen, laundry, carriage block and the original quarters for the enslaved people. The house and its surviving furnishings offer a compelling portrait of urban life in antebellum Charleston, as well as a politician, industrialist, planter and enslaver. The house spent 142 years in the Aiken family's hands before being sold to The Charleston Museum and opened as a house museum in 1975.

In 1995, Historic Charleston Foundation assumed ownership of the property and adopted a preserved “as-found” preservation approach, meaning the structure and contents are left in an “as-found” state, including furniture, architecture and finishes that have not been altered since the mid 19th century. The only restored room in the house, the Art Gallery, showcases paintings and sculptures the Aiken family acquired on their European Grand Tour.

While many dependency buildings in Charleston have been demolished or adapted, the Aiken-Rhett House’s kitchen, laundry and quarters – with their original paint, floors and fixtures – survive virtually untouched since the 1850s, allowing visitors the unique chance to better comprehend the every-day realities of the enslaved Africans who lived on-site, maintained the household and catered to the needs of the Aiken family and their guests.

Aiken-Rhett House
Open daily from 10 am - 5 pm, last entry at 4:00 pm. Visit both museums and save $6 on adult tickets by purchasing a combo ticket. 

Plan Your Visit

Open 7 days a week, 10 am - 5 pm
Last entry at 4:00 pm

Guests are able to enjoy a self-guided audio tour using our free app which includes a walking guide to Charleston with over 300 points of interest.

Visit both museums and save $6 on adult tickets by purchasing a combo ticket. 
Aiken-Rhett House Tours
Tours
At the Aiken-Rhett House, guests are able to enjoy a self-guided audio tour using our free app.
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Aiken-Rhett Group Tours
Group Tours
For groups of 12 or more, please contact the house manager to reserve a tour. Discounts apply.
Contact House Manager
Getting Here
The Aiken-Rhett House is located at 48 Elizabeth St, Charleston, SC.
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FAQ

Do I need to purchase a ticket in advance to tour the Aiken-Rhett House?

Tickets to tour the historic house museum are available for purchase upon arrival. If you would like to purchase your ticket in advance, you may purchase single house museum or combo house museum tickets online. House museum tickets do not expire with receipt – present your receipt at the admission desk to use.

What kind of tour can I expect at the Aiken-Rhett House? How long does a typical tour take?

At the Aiken-Rhett House Museum, guests can enjoy a self-paced audio tour of that lasts approximately 45 minutes. As a self-paced tour, guests can spend as much time touring the property as needed, within museum operating hours.

Is parking available on site?

Street parking is only available around the Aiken-Rhett House Museum and public parking garages are available within walking distance of the house museum. The closest public parking garage is located at the Charleston Area Visitors Center, 63 Mary Street. For a full list of public parking information, please visit the city’s website.

When is the Aiken-Rhett House Museum open for tours?

The Aiken-Rhett House Museum is open daily for tours, Monday through Sunday, from 10 am through 5 pm, with the last entry at 4:00 pm to provide adequate time for a 45-minute tour. Open daily for tours, the house museum is closed on select major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Is the Aiken-Rhett House Museum accessible by wheelchair or scooters?

Due to the historic nature of the Aiken-Rhett House, touring requires walking over uneven flooring and the use of stairs. The house museum is not accessible for wheelchairs or scooters. House Musum staff are available meet accessibility needs to the best of their ability. For more informaton, please contact the Aiken-Rhett House Museum by email or by phone.

Is the Aiken-Rhett House Museum suitable for families?

The Aiken-Rhett House Museum’s audio tour is appropriate and available for the whole family to enjoy, but best enjoyed by guests ages 12 and older. Younger guests may request a Scavenger Hunt at the front desk to enhance their tour experience. Due to the historic nature of the historic house museum, strollers are not permitted on the tour and can be safely stored until the tour is complete. All children ages 12 and up must be accompanied by an adult.

May I bring food or beverages with me on my tour?

Due to the historic nature of the house museum, food and beverages are not permitted. A water bottle with a closed top is acceptable.

Can the Aiken-Rhett House Museum accommodate a group of 6 or more? Are private tours available? 

Yes. For groups of 6 or more, we recommend coordinating your tour with the House Museum Manager for tour options, group rates and more. Please call the Aiken-Rhett House Museum Manager at 843-723-1159.

Are bags allowed while touring the Aiken-Rhett House?

Due to the historic nature of the house, we do not allow large backpacks and bags to be carried during the tour as they can be accidently knocked into, or brushed against, the fragile walls and historic objects. Large bags may be safely stored at the front desk until the tour is complete.

Is photography allowed while touring the Aiken-Rhett House?

Yes, with limitations. Each historic house museum allows personal photography with no flash. We ask that when a personal photograph is taken that guests take into consideration the sensitivity and complicated history that the Aiken-Rhett House Museum embodies and to please be respectful of the place and lives that once lived and worked on the property. Professional photography, styled photoshoots, headshots, or any other paid photography experience is strictly prohibited without the expressed permission of Historic Charleston Foundation. This includes any DSLR photography and all videography. For more information and permissions, please email [email protected] with questions and requests.

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Aiken-Rhett House

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