78th Charter Day Award Winners
Each spring, Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) commemorates its 1947 founding by honoring extraordinary contributions in preserving Charleston’s irreplaceable historic built environment and cultural character through its Charter Day Awards. On May 1st, HCF was honored to present the following awards at the annual awards ceremony at the historic First Baptist Church.
The Foundation’s annual Charter Day awards are divided into categories to recognize all facets of historic preservation, from stewardship to the hands and skills behind each project. In 2024, HCF added a third award category to amplify stories of threatened communities and the dedicated residents working behind-the-scenes to preserve Charleston’s culture character by advocating for its future.
The Stoney Craftsmanship Award recognizes craftspeople who have kept alive Charleston’s tradition of excellence in the building trades.
Historic Charleston Foundation is honored to present the 2025 award to Meadors, Inc. Meadors is a multi-faceted company that specializes in preservation, conservation, and craftsmanship with a portfolio including 60 Meeting Street, Taveau Church, Blake Tenements, St. Luke and St. Paul, Abbeville Church, among many others. In addition, the team at Meadors has worked on many delicate preservation projects across the state, including the Aiken-Rhett House, that require a sensitive but collaborative approach to preservation planning. Meadors is a comprehensive company with expertise in architectural conservation, preservation, architectural design, and construction. Through their comprehensive approach to projects, they have become an indispensable force for best preservation practices in Charleston.
The Whitelaw Founders Award recognizes individuals, groups, or government entities that actively engage in the long-term preservation of important buildings and places.
Historic Charleston Foundation is honored to present the 2025 award to 6 Montagu Street. The John Rudolph Switzer House, was built c. 1803 and later converted into several apartments, falling into disrepair and culminating in a fire in 2016. Mr. Rob Robertson purchased the property and began extensive rehabilitation in 2022. Work included returning the property to a single-family home and adding a contemporary rear addition. Young + Wales Architects provided architectural services, and an expert team of preservation and design professionals carried out the project with high attention to detail. This rehabilitation project has been a passion project for Mr. Robertson, and HCF’s Whitelaw Founders Award recognizes Mr. Robertson’s rehabilitation and excellent stewardship of 6 Montagu Street.
Historic Charleston Foundation is honored to present the 2025 award to 109 Rutledge Street. The McMakin-Bicaise House, was built c. 1852. Until recently, the house was subdivided into three college apartments and had deferred maintenance. In 2019, the property was sold to the Malpass family, who had a vision for its rehabilitation. Harrison Malpass, owner of HHM Builders, completed the rehabilitation with his team and with architectural services from Ashley Jennings of AJ Architecture. As a result of this work, the residence was converted from a triplex back into a single family home. The scope of work included removing a non-historic porch enclosure, reworking the interior circulation, removing the non-historic exterior staircase, repairing all deferred maintenance, and upgrading mechanical systems. The Foundation could not hope for a better steward for this important historic property.
Historic Charleston Foundation is honored to present the 2025 award to Catfiddle Street and Urban Ergonomics. Catfiddle Street is a unique residential, new urbanist in-fill development intended to encourage the sense of community at a human scale and reflects the historic character of Charleston. With 24 lots, the development has embraced sustainable design principles, quality materials, and traditional building practices. The resulting density, 90 people per acre, is similar to Manhattan but accomplished with a design of two to four-story buildings. Catfiddle Street serves as an excellent example of a how a new development can achieve density compatible with the scale and fabric of the historic district.
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Historic Charleston Foundation is honored to present the 2025 award to The Low Battery Seawall. The Low Battery Seawall has served as Charleston’s frontline of defense against weather events for more than a century. Recognizing its important role, the City of Charleston undertook rebuilding 850 ft (259.08 m) and raising it more than three feet to mitigate the effects of sea level rise and storm surge, as well as provide a scenic public walkway. Funded through accommodation and hospitality tax dollars from tourism dollars, this infrastructure investment showcases how resiliency projects can help mitigate flood risk while enhancing the public realm for residents and tourists.
The Joseph H. (Peter) McGee Advocacy Award recognizes excellence in advocacy, community preservation and planning.
Historic Charleston Foundation is honored to present the 2025 award to the Ten Mile Community Association. Ten Mile is an historic African American Settlement Community that lies between Mount Pleasant and Awendaw along Copahee Sound. Established by formerly enslaved African Americans at the end of the Civil War, Ten Mile became the third designated Charleston County Historic District thanks to a community-led advocacy campaign. The efforts of this community, along with other settlement communities in the county, led Charleston County Council to pass a two-year moratorium for major development subdivisions in county historic districts.
This year, the Foundation is also honored to recognize two organizations that have gone above-and-beyond to further preservation efforts across the Lowcountry through two Special Recognition Awards:
Artis Construction has volunteered both time and resources for New Tabernacle Fourth Baptist Church as part of HCF’s Saving Grace Initiative, a new initiative geared toward the preservation of historic Black churches. Their involvement has been instrumental. Artis has provided the lift, building permits, and expertise to complete an initial assessment of the slate roof and framing of the church. A 3D laser scanner was used to capture the precise measurements of the complex timber frame roof structure for a highly detailed digital model to support the preservation plan and pinpoint structural deficiencies. In addition, Artis’ team has consistently provided their valuable time to assist with grant research and preparation and has been the leading force in securing the temporary roof covering for the historic church and providing budgeting information for awarded grants. Artis Construction exemplifies preservation and ethic and dedication.
Welch Community Hope, founded in 2024 by Joe and Amy Welch, is a faith-based charity that provides urgent home repairs throughout the Lowcountry directed at safety, livability, survivability, and accessibility for those in need. Welch partners with subcontractors that donate services and reduce costs where possible, and all donations directly funds specialized equipment, labor, and materials. Recently, Welch Community Hope partnered with HCF to complete a Common Cause Loan Fund project on Rose Lane. This historic cottage has been in the same family for almost a century and required structural reinforcement, exterior repairs, and refinishing the house interior. Welch Community Hope exemplifies generosity and care for our historic community.
Reserved as our highest honor, the Frances R. Edmunds Award, named for our founder, recognizes exceptional personal achievement in the field of historic preservation and service to our Mission Statement.
HCF is honored to present the 2025 Edmunds Award to Russell Rosen, one of the most highly regarded structural engineers in Charleston for more than 45 years. Russell Rosen has worked on many historic properties over his long career as a fierce advocate for preservation and finding a balance between preservation and building safety. He is known in the community for being an expert on the structural needs of historic buildings and for creating practical solutions to address structural problems. We are immeasurably honored to award Russell Rosen the Frances R. Edmunds Award for his many years of dedicated work to support the preservation of Charleston.