Historic Charleston Foundation’s Festival of Houses & Gardens 2022

The Historic Charleston Foundation is an advocacy organization focused on the historic preservation of Charleston and the Lowcountry’s landscape, while also promoting regional growth. The Historic Charleston Foundation restores the area’s fabric, specifically through its easement program.

Easements are partial interests in a property that takes the form of restrictive covenants attached to a deed and often run in perpetuity. To the Historic Charleston Foundation, it guarantees the highest level of preservation without the burden or expense of property ownership by the foundation.

Easements can be placed in the interior, exterior, or open space of a residential or commercial property, even on plantations. The property must be individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or be a contributing building within a historic district. The Festival of Houses & Gardens provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty and grandeur of some historic homes made possible by preservation easements.

“To champion the historic authenticity, cultural character, and livability of Charleston’s region through advocacy, stewardship, and community engagement”

Over the past 75 years, the Historic Charleston Foundation has fulfilled that mission and they do so with community events throughout the year, commemorating Charleston and its inhabitants. The timeline below shows the major milestones of HCF from 1947, when the organization was founded, to present day.

The Historic Charleston Foundation is celebrating 75 years of preserving the country with its largest fundraiser and educational event of the year, The Festival of Houses & Gardens. Tours, concerts, wine tastings, and lectures are all available activities to enjoy.

This event presents the chance to learn about the area’s significant cultural and architectural landscapes, as well as a rare opportunity to glimpse into some of Charleston’s most beautiful homes and gardens.

Tours by Street Name

The Gardens of 23 Meeting Street

Anson Street – Wednesday, March 23rd & Saturday, March 26th, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm – Anson Street boasts Greek Revival and Regency architectural styles and is home to many antebellum homes built in the years between the Great Fire of 1838 and the outbreak of the Civil War. 

Church Street – Wednesday, March 30th & Saturday, April 2nd, 5:00pm-8:00pm – This streets dwellings boast Colonial and Georgian period architecture and are home to many beautiful gardens & historic churches. 

East Battery – Thursday, March 31st & Sunday, April 3rd, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm – This street boasts colorful 18th-century dwellings as well as grand antebellum mansions. 

King Street – Wednesday, April 6th & Saturday, April 9th, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm – This neighborhood boasts early Georgian to late Victorian architecture and homes range from artisan houses to grand townhouses. 

Legare Street – Thursday, March 24th & Sunday, March 27th, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm – This street is home to some of the finest mansions & magnificent Charleston single houses.

South Battery – Wednesday, March 16th & Saturday, March 19th, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm – South Battery is home to many beautiful waterfront mansions, some overlooking White Point Garden & Charleston Harbor along South Battery and Murray Boulevard.

Tradd Street – Thursday, March 17th & Sunday, March 20th, 2:00pm-5:00pm – This street encompasses many 18th century houses.

“Live Like a Local” Events

Murray Boulevard along South Battery

Morning History Walk – Monday-Saturday, March 16th- April 9th, 9:30-11:30 am – Two-hour walking tour of the Old & Historic District.

Container Garden: Charleston’s Over-The-Top-Pots – Tuesdays; March 22nd, March 29th, & April 5th, 10:00am-11:00am – Learn how to create your own seasonal garden masterpieces by local experts.

Wine by the Water – Tuesdays; March 22nd, March 29th, April 5th, 5:30pm-7:00pm at the Captain James Missroon House- Enjoy the views from the third floor of the Captain Missroon House overlooking the Charleston Harbor while tasting wine prepared by expert sommeliers.

Gullah Spiritual Celebrations – Thursdays; March 17th, March 24th, March 31st, & April 7th 5:30pm-6:30pm at the Circular Congregational Church – The Plantation Singers perform Gullah Spirituals and sacred music of the Sea Islands.

Rose and Roses in the Garden – Saturdays; March 19th, March 26th, April 2nd, & April 9th, 5:30-6:30 pm at the Garden of the Nathaniel Russel House Museum – Enjoy small appetizers and wine in the beautiful garden of the Nathaniel Russel House, accompanied by a violin/viola duo from Palmetto Springs!

Morning Photography Walkabout – Saturdays; March 19th, March 26th, April 2nd, April 9th, 9:00am-12:00pm – Photographer Richard Spencer will share his tips and tricks to capture the abundant charm Charleston has to offer in the spring. 

Exclusive Special Events

Architectural Splendor: Tour of Showcase Houses – Thursday, March 24th, 10:00 am-12:00 pm & Tuesday, April 5th, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm – Once in a lifetime opportunity to tour four select properties south of Broad Street in the Old & Historic District, led by a local expert. 

Garden Splendor: Tour of Showcase Gardens – Thursday, March 31st, 10:00 am-12:00 pm & Thursday, April 7th, 2:00-4:00 pm – Learn the history and process of designing and maintaining four of Charleston’s spectacular gardens.

Virtual Lectures

Charleston’s Gardens Past and Present – Tuesday, March 22nd, 12:00-1:00 pm – Louisa Pringle Cameron, Charleston native and noted author, watercolorist, podcaster, and lecturer, shares the perspective and knowledge of today’s Lowcountry garden landscapes and dives into the history Charleston gardens as a whole. 

The Lost Texture of Time – Thursday, March 24th, 12:00-1:00 pm – Paintings Conservator Joanne Barry addresses the topic of “How Technology Shapes Perception”. The lectures involve uncovering historical art records and exploring how different cultures’ art has been shaped by technology, as well as discussing the process of restoration and the before and after photographs treatments. 

Sentimental Jewelry: Exploring the Art of Hairwork – Tuesday, March 29th, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm – Join modern hair worker, Gina Iacovelli, for a look into the historical techniques and evolution of hair artistry in Charleston. 

Lowcountry at High Tide: The Flooding, Drainage, and Reclamation in Charleston – Thursday, March 31st, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm – Join Christina Butler, Professor of Historic Preservation and Chair of General Education at the American College of the Building Arts, and owner of Butler Preservation LLC, for an overview of her recent book. Discuss trials and tribulations of historical flooding in the Lowcountry and how to deal with it presently. 

Fact or Fable: The Fascinating Secrets and Fabrications of Old Houses – Tuesday, April 5th, 12:00 pm-1:00 pm – Join Trish Smith, Drayton Hall’s Curator of Historic Architectural Resources, and dive into the fact versus fiction and historical mysteries of Charleston.

Luncheon Lectures

Stolen Charleston: The Spoils of War – March 16th, 2022 – Join Grahame Long, Historic Charleston Foundation’s Director of Museums, for a look through Charleston’s lost and found during this lecture luncheon. A book signing of Stolen Charleston: The Spoils of War will follow.

Mavericks, Mothers, and Mavens: The History-Making Women of Charleston – Thursday, March 17th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm – Join Valerie Perry, the Historic Charleston Foundation’s Manager of House Museums, and learn how a diverse group of women in Charleston has shaped its history. Hear the story of Affra Coming, who arrived in Charleston aboard the Carolina in 1669, and helped settle a new colony; the Grimke sisters, Charleston natives who became fierce abolitionists; female pirates; Bathesheba Catell, who was once enslaved then became a slave owner herself; preservationists; and ladies of the night. 

Gullah Memories – Friday, March 18th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm – Join Charleston-based writer, Herb Frazier, author of Behind God’s Back: Gullah Memories of Cainhoy, Wando, Huger, Daniel Island, St. Thomas Island, South Carolina, and learn about the Gullah people who struggled to maintain their African based lifestyles in rural communities near Charleston as well as influential cuisine, arts, and historic traditions from the Gullah people. 

How the Best Biscuits You Ever Had Came to Be – Monday, March 21st, 11:30 am-1:00 pm – Learn the story behind Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit and Callie’s Charleston Biscuit, a biscuit company that started as a small southern brand and has now gained national exposure!

Architectural Styles of Charleston – Wednesday, March 23rd, 11:30 am-1:00 pm – Charleston’s Historic District encompasses a variety of architectural styles, from the Charleston Single House to Georgian, Federal, Colonial, Regency, Adamesque, Classical Revival, Greek Revival, Italianate, Gothic Revival, and Queen Anne. Valerie Perry, the Historical Charleston Foundation’s Manager of Museums, discusses the history as portrayed by its architectural legacy. 

Just a Cup of Joe – Friday, March 25th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm – John Dr. Paul Roof, Assistant Professor & Sociology coordinator at South Carolina State University, discusses the local history of coffee and different debates surrounding caffeine addiction. 

Prehistoric Giants of the Lowcountry – Wednesday, March 30th, 11:30 am,-1:00pm – Join Mathew Gibson, Curator of Natural History for the Charleston Museum, as he discusses the various prehistoric giants that once called the Lowcountry home & learn about how Earth’s drastic shifts contributed to the evolution of the ecology and behavior of our sea and land creatures. 

No, Really! Charleston’s Myths, Legends, and Lore – Friday, April 1st, 11:30am-1:00pm – Join Grahame Long, Historic Charleston Foundation’s Director of Museums, and take a deep dive into Charleston’s oldest legends!

Favorite Gardens of Charleston – Monday, April 4th, 11:30am-1:00pm – Join local landscape architect Glen Gardner for a look at some of his favorite Charleston gardens past and present. 

History Meets Historical Fiction: The Grimke Sisters and The Invention of Wings – Wednesday, April 6th, 11:30am-1:00pm – Join Valerie Perry, Historical Charleston Foundation’s Manager of House Museums, for a description of her assistance to author Sue Monk Kid in their research to publish The Invention of Wings, a story of Sarah and Angelina Grimke. Followed by a book signing. 

The Archeology of Charleston and the Colonial Cattle Economy – Thursday, April 7th, 11:30am-1:00pm – Join Charleston Museum Curator of Historical Archaeology, Martha Zierden, for a look at the history of Charleston’s cattle industry and and the cutting edge technology used to trace the sources and impacts of it. 

The Charleston Tea Party – Friday, April 8th, 11:30am-1:00pm – Join author John R. Young for an examination of the taxation-without-representation enactment that led to the destruction of three shiploads of tea into the harbor!