Historic Charleston Foundation - Archives and Resources

DIG INTO THE RESEARCH

One of the many ways Historic Charleston Foundation seeks to protect Charleston's architectural, historical and cultural integrity is through scholarly research and documentation.

The Margaretta Childs Archives consists primarily of property records for hundreds of historic buildings, homes and plantations in Charleston and the Lowcountry, including historical and architectural information, deed/title research, news clippings, archaeological reports, photographs, architectural drawings, plats and maps.

The Research Library contains books, pamphlets, technical reports and videos pertaining to architecture, historic preservation, Charleston and South Carolina history, archaeology, building arts, decorative arts and gardens.

Access to the materials in Historic Charleston Foundation Archives and Library is provided under conditions that ensure their preservation, maintain their physical integrity, prevent their loss, and comply with requirements that respect confidentiality, privacy, copyright, and any other specific legal conditions.

Every Building Tells a Story

Archives

One of the many ways Historic Charleston Foundation seeks to protect Charleston's architectural, historical and cultural integrity is through scholarly research and documentation.

Margaretta Childs Archives

Historical and architectural information, deed/title research, news clippings, archaeological reports, photographs, architectural drawings, plats and maps for historic buildings in Charleston and the Lowcountry.

Visit the Archives

Lowcountry Digital Library

Books, pamphlets, technical reports and videos pertaining to architecture, historic preservation, Charleston and South Carolina history, archaeology, building arts, decorative arts and gardens.

Visit the Archives

Interactive Maps

Using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technology, these maps provide a good indication of the broad development of the city.

View Maps

Resources

Would you like to know more about the history of a historic property in Charleston? Before you embark on a primary research project, check to see if historical research already exists for your property. Historic Charleston Foundation’s Archives, the South Carolina Historical Society and the South Carolina Room at the Charleston County Library are all good places to begin your research. If the information you are able to find at these institutions is insufficient, then you will wish to conduct your primary research at the office of the Charleston County Register of Mesne Conveyance, located on the 2nd floor of the O.T. Wallace Building at 101 Meeting Street.

Once you have finished researching a property’s deeds, ward books and plats, revisit local libraries and archives to look for historic photographs and blueprints. You may also find great information from city directories, census information, newspapers and Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.

Forms & Resources

These forms and resources are provided to assist researchers in their quest for information about historic properties in and around Charleston.

Chain-of-Title Worksheet

List of Resources

Charleston Archives, Libraries, and Museums (CALM) Directory

How to Research

Bibliography