Historic Charleston Foundation

Filing Period

Jan 1, 2012 to Dec 31, 2012

Signed

Aug 7, 2013

Return Version

2012v2.1

Gross Receipts

$5,853,270

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

Public programs - as part of hcf's mission to educate the public about the benefits of historic preservation, the foundation provides two spring events which allow visitors to learn about and visit the city's finest historic private houses and gardens, as well as study and/or purchase some of the nation's most impressive antiques. The charleston international antiques show takes place during the first weekend of the foundation's long renowned annual spring festival of houses and gardens, which runs mid-march to mid-april. The spring festival is an award-winning series of heritage tours and educational sessions which in 2012 provided a rare opportunity for 17,178 visitors to enjoy behind-the-scenes peeks at some of the most magnificent private interiors and gardens in order to learn more about charleston's old and historic district, an area celebrated for its history and architecture dating from the 18th century. The festival coordinates the efforts of nearly 150 homeowners who have granted hcf the privilege of sharing their properties, and more than 650 community volunteers who make these tours possible. Proceeds from the festival support preservation programs throughout charleston and its historic environs.established in 2004, the charleston antiques show has quickly established itself as a premier destination for seasoned collectors as well as those who enjoy seeing and learning about the decorative arts. More than 30 nationally renowned dealers feature a diverse range of antiques from the 17th to early 20th century, including american, asian and european furniture, silver and porcelain, textiles, ceramics, vintage jewelry and clothing, and garden furniture. More than 1,970 visitors in 2012 enjoyed learning about antiques and collecting through educational programs and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours with experts.

Activity 3

Museums - hcf fulfills its educational mission through the interpretation of its collections and two outstanding museum houses: the nathaniel russell house, c. 1808, at 51 meeting street, one of america's most significant neoclassical federal townhouses; and the aiken-rhett house, c. 1820, at 48 elizabeth street, where visitors can step back in time to experience life in antebellum charleston. More than 85,900 visitors toured the museum properties in 2012.historic charleston foundation purchased the nathaniel russell house, c. 1808, a national historic landmark, in 1955. Visitors continue to admire the grand federal-style townhouse of prominent merchant nathaniel russell. Completed in 1808 when russell was 70 years old, the lavishly ornamented house serves as a testament to the great wealth he accumulated over his distinguished lifetime. Then as now the russell house is considered to be among the finest dwellings in charleston. The house also stands in contrast to other contemporary charleston residences with a unique geometric floor plan and fine architectural detailing. The interior boasts a spacious reception room with intricate glazed doors, an elegant free-flying staircase, and elaborate trompe-l'oeil decoration from the first to the third floors. Painstakingly restored to its 1808 appearance, the russell house also serves as the ideal exhibition space for hcf's outstanding collection of fine and decorative arts. Also operated as a museum house is the aiken-rhett house, c. 1820, built by john robinson and greatly expanded by governor and mrs. William aiken jr. In the 1830's. The property, which remained in the family until 1975, has survived as a unique time capsule, virtually unaltered since 1858. Original dependencies include the kitchen, slaves' quarters, stable, coach house and privies. Together with the main house these structures combine to form a rare and unique 19th century urban complex. The buildings and the artifacts within them poignantly illustrate the connections among all members of the household, those who lived in the main house as well as those who lived and worked as enslaved african-americans on the property. Historic charleston foundation has adopted a unique approach to its stewardship of the house. Thanks in great part to a prestigious save america's treasures grant, hcf has restored and thus protected the building's exterior to its 1858-1860 appearance. The preservation plan for the original historic interior is stabilization and conservation. This rare approach enables the interpretation of the house's continued habitation and its changes over time as new technologies, such as gas lighting and electricity were adopted. The period finishes, such as original 19th century wallpapers, alone make the aiken-rhett site one of the nation's most important house museums, and the intact decorative layers help us better understand nineteenth-century conceptions of refinement, patterns of consumption and decorative preferences in the carolina lowcountry.unlike the nathaniel russell house museum, the majority of objects exhibited within the house are original to the site. Much of the collection currently on display in the aiken-rhett house was purchased by gov. Aiken and his wife, harriet lowndes aiken. During their residency, the house went through several decorative periods as the couple kept current with the latest fashions. While the majority of the furnishings in the house were in the plain grecian style, gothic-inspired and rococo revival objects were acquired and added to their collection over time.

Filer

EIN

57-6000599