City: Charleston, SC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (843) 724-8481

Address: 51 Meeting St.

Insider Pick:

Description: Prominent shipping merchant Nathaniel Russell decided to build his great “mansionhouse” on Meeting Street, practically within sight of the busy wharves that produced his wealth. When his house was completed in 1808, Russell was 71, and he had reportedly spent $80,000 on the project—an enormous sum at that time. Like the Manigault house, Russell’s new home was inspired by the work of English architect Robert Adam, whose delicate style was influenced by the airy classical designs only recently uncovered (literally) in the Italian excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Today’s visitor is immediately dazzled by the dramatic, free-flying, elliptical stairway floating up through 3 floors without any visible means of support. Finely proportioned, geometric rooms are furnished with another outstanding collection of Charleston, English, and French pieces, including rare china, silver, and paintings. Unlike most other Charleston house museums, the Russell House has never been through a sad period of decline and disrepair. First as a fine town house, then as the home of a South Carolina governor, and later as a school for girls and even a convent, 51 Meeting St. has always been a respected and cared-for landmark. Today it is owned and operated by Historic Charleston Foundation, an organization that has done much to preserve and illuminate the city’s architectural heritage. The house is open for tours Mon through Sat from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun from 2 to 5 p.m. The last tour begins at 4:30 p.m. The house is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. A combination ticket for this and the Aiken-Rhett house at 48 Elizabeth St. is available. Call (843) 724-8481 for tickets and group tour information.