Visit the Edmondston-Alston House, which was the center of several important Civil War events and remains one of Charleston’s most popular historic mansions open to the public. Those who appreciate history and architecture will especially notice the home’s Greek Revival style, showcased in its Corinthian columns and rooftop piazza. Inside, you will have the opportunity to explore several of the rooms, with interiors preserved to look as they did 150 years ago.
Learn the history of the home. The home was built in late Federal style by Charles Edmondston, a rice farmer. It was updated to Greek Revival style by its second owner, Charles Alston, who purchased the home a decade later. He added the third-story Corinthian columns, cast-iron balcony and rooftop railing with the Alston coat of arms.
In the ensuing years, the mansion served as a lookout point for Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard during the Battle of Fort Sumter. It was a hideaway for General Robert E. Lee during the Great Charleston Fire. Generations of Alstons have owned the home since 1838.
Admire the Alston family’s collection of 19th-century furnishings, books and family portraits and read the stories of the family and the slaves they owned over the generations. One of the most notable pieces is an original print of the Ordinance of Secession. The collection provides a glimpse into the Alston legacy, as well as overall American history.
Consider tying in a visit to Middleton Place, 14 miles (23 kilometers) northwest of downtown Charleston, which has familial ties to the Edmondston-Alston House. This rice plantation from the 1700s and 1800s features some of America’s oldest landscaped gardens and was home to a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Join a 30-minute guided tour showcasing the Edmondston-Alston House public rooms and piazza, with special attention to the Greek Revival design and collection of silver, decorative arts and furniture. Guided and self-guided tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday. Private and more in-depth tours are available by request. Purchase combination tour tickets for both the Edmondston-Alston House and nearby Middleton Place.
Edmondston-Alston House is open Tuesday to Saturday. Check the website for more details.
