456 King Street William Aiken House

Table Of Content

• Step Inside Our History The William Aiken House
• The house and its surviving furnishings offer a compelling portrait of urban life in antebellum Charleston
• Custom Day Sail
• Other vendors in Charleston for your wedding
• A Canadian's Guide to Embracing Southern Culture after Moving to Charleston
• The venue has marked this date as
• Resources for National History Day

The Historic Charleston Foundation purchased the house from The Charleston Museum in 1995, and took over the reins, working to preserve the home and its treasures, while still keeping it wide open to the public. Aiken was an Irish immigrant who had become a very successful local merchant, but he would also prove to be another unlucky homeowner, and after dying in a carriage accident, the house would be passed on to his wife, Henrietta Wyatt Aiken and his son, William Aiken Jr. For groups of 12 or more, please contact the house manager to reserve a tour.

Step Inside Our History The William Aiken House

The property was restored in the late 20th century and is now an event venue; in fact, 456 King Street is considered one of the premier and most popular wedding venues in South Carolina. Many times I have walked down King Street and been amazed and enthralled with the view of the grounds transformed for a wedding or other event. With its two ballrooms, private gardens and formal dining rooms, 456 King is a perfect example of recycling an historic site to meet the needs of the 21st century.

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

The Best Friend’s inaugural run was December 25, 1830, pulling several railroad cars with over 100 passengers behind it. For its first six months, the Best Friend made history, then the boiler on the steam locomotive blew. We now have a reproduction of the Best Friend at its museum located at 23 Ann Street.

Custom Day Sail

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The museum owns a caliber collection of artwork and antiques throughout the house. Unfortunately, William Aiken died in 1831 after being thrown from a carriage. His home at 456 King went on to house various nonprofit organizations.

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Curious about what makes the William Aiken House one of Downtown Charleston’s most exquisite historical gems? Step through the peaceful gardens into our private estate as we fill you in on some of the most interesting facets you never knew. Patrick Properties is equally proud to showcase its lovingly preserved National Historic Landmarks, so in today’s post, we are taking a cue from this annual event to offer a behind-the-scenes tour of our own. Charleston is renowned for warm hospitality as much as for its uniquely rich history. Every October, Charleston residents literally open their doors to some of the Holy City’s most grand historical estates during the Fall Tour of Homes. Today, the home is open daily for tours, and visitors are always wowed by the impressive grandeur both inside and out.

Search Historical Highlights of the House

The massive porches lined with slim white columns stand out against the mustard yellow exterior, while a brick and iron border is lined with seasonal blooms and flowering climbing vines. In 1833, William Jr. decided to make the home his primary residence, and along with his wife Harriet, began planning an extensive renovation which involved moving the front entrance, reconfiguring the first floor altogether, and adding a large addition to the house. By the end, locals and visitors agreed that the "new" William Aiken House was one of the most impressive structures in Charleston.

Sweeping ballrooms, lush private grounds, and open-air piazzas make this historic 1807 mansion one of Charleston’s most sought-after venues for weddings and once-in-a-lifetime occasions. Lowndes Grove stands proudly along the oak-lined banks of the Ashley River. Distinguished on the National Register for Historic Places, this beautifully restored estate offers an unparalleled backdrop for one-of-a-kind meetings, weddings, corporate receptions and private celebrations. The Main House showcases 1786-era architecture with period furnishings, an expansive piazza, grand lawn and sunlit terraces made of bluestone, brick and oyster tabby. Within this relaxed and refined setting, the scenic beauty of the Lowcountry unfolds with panoramic sunset views along the waterfront. Featuring stately ballrooms, covered piazzas, a gorgeous pergola + reflection pool, the William Aiken House is the quintessential downtown Charleston wedding venue.

This National Historic Landmark is radiant in sophisticated grandeur following a meticulous two-year restoration by Patrick Properties Hospitality Group. While its furnishings are not Aiken family heirlooms, careful research has allowed us to create a historically accurate reflection of the Aikens’ personal tastes. Ballrooms and formal dining & drawing rooms showcase museum-caliber artwork and antiques similar to those the family would have collected during their travels.

Resources for National History Day

"I think (it's) really cool that every owner since has just kind of preserved her memory for the space," Putman said. The home at 2538 Sundown Drive is for sale at $2.3 million, listed by Compass agents Carl Gambino and Ariel Putman, and was recently shared on real estate fan account Zillow Gone Wild. The rich history of the property spans a Revolutionary War invasion, the arrival of Charleston World’s Fair and a visit from President Theodore Roosevelt. The William Aiken House has wireless internet throughout the property, is handicap accessible, and has accommodations such as the Carriage House with 2 suites. Our free Destination Planning Guide has the resources you need to get started planning your next event in Charleston. Get a Coco Link to share not-available-to-the-public rates with your guests at hotels near your event.

William Aiken, Sr. and his family moved into the brick single house in 1807 and purchased the house in 1811. The house was used to hold meetings for the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company where Aiken was elected president in 1827. Directly after his death in 1831 his widow, Henrietta Watt, constructed the octagonal wing of the house with a ballroom on the second floor. Most scholars of southern history and culture define antebellum plantation mansions being surrounded by agricultural developments, such as other Charleston area plantations, Drayton Hall, McLeod Plantation, and Magnolia Plantation. By the time that the American Civil War broke out, at least 13 enslaved people were at the Aiken property, including 6 children. The William Aiken House is highly praised by multiple reviewers for its beauty, exceptional service, and delicious food.

It is located close in proximity to Oyster Tabby Terrace for your reception. The last ceremony location is the Carriage House Lot which seats 140 guests. Sweeping ballrooms, lush private grounds and open-air piazzas make this historic 1810 mansion one of Charleston’s most sought-after venues for weddings and once-in-a-lifetime occasions. The William Aiken House is nestled in the heart of Downtown's flourishing Upper King Street Design District within walking distance to renowned hotels, fine dining, shopping, historic sites and cultural experiences. Built in 1820 by merchant John Robinson, the Aiken-Rhett House is nationally significant as one of the best-preserved townhouse complexes in the nation.

This stunning 1807 mansion is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is the perfect setting for a colorful wedding experience. The Governor William Aiken House, or Aiken-Rhett house, stands tall as one of the most massively impressive residences in Charleston - a difficult feat considering the blocks upon blocks of outstanding ancient homes. And while the inside may not be as perfectly grand as the outside, the authentic airy rooms that have been carefully preserved, just not restored, are easily some of the most spellbinding for history buffs. A true look into everyday life of Charleston's wealthiest elite, the Governor William Aiken House is a must for anyone who loves history, architecture, and genuine but untouched antebellum beauty. Black and white photograph of the west (front) elevation of the carriage house at the William Aiken House located at 456 King Street. The William Aiken House was constructed in 1807 by James Mackie in the Adam tradition.