Images of William Aiken House
William Aiken House and its collection
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The Gov. William Aiken House, also known as the Aiken-Rhett House, is a historic building located at 48 Elizabeth Street, in the Wraggborough neighborhood of Charleston, South Carolina. Built in 1820, the house is known for its association with Gov. William Aiken and is considered to be the best preserved complex of antebellum domestic structures in Charleston. The house was originally configured as a Charleston single house with entrance from the south side along Judith Street.
Aiken-Rhett House as a Museum
Since 1995, the Historic Charleston Foundation has owned and operated the Aiken-Rhett House as a historic house museum. The Aiken family owned the house for over 142 years until, in 1975, it was donated to the Charleston Museum. Twenty years later, the Historic Charleston Foundation bought it. The Foundation was attracted to the property due to its unique opportunity to understand and present antebellum urban life and the African American heritage of Charleston to the public.
Archaeological Discoveries at the Aiken-Rhett House
In recent years, a team of archaeologists began to research and survey the slave dwellings on the Aiken-Rhett property. By 2018, the team was able to uncover over 10,000 artifacts. A large majority of these pieces are currently still on display within an exhibit interpreting their cultural significance. The artifacts span from coins and tools, to pieces of bottles and pottery.
ESCasa del gobernador William Aiken
ENAiken-Rhett House
History & Anthropology Archaeology Ethnology Historic house
#14 History & Anthropology in Charleston #3 Archaeology museums in Charleston #2 Ethnology museums in Charleston #12 Historic houses in Charleston #62 History & Anthropology in South Carolina #4 Archaeology museums in South Carolina #6 Ethnology museums in South Carolina #50 Historic houses in South Carolina
#14 History & Anthropology in Charleston
#3 Archaeology museums in Charleston
#2 Ethnology museums in Charleston
#12 Historic houses in Charleston
#62 History & Anthropology in South Carolina
#4 Archaeology museums in South Carolina
#6 Ethnology museums in South Carolina
#50 Historic houses in South Carolina