2. Gov. William Aiken House
Robinson-Aiken House
Governors mansion
The Aiken-Rhett
House
48 Elizabeth Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Wraggborough

3. • Mazyck-Wraggborough was founded in
the 18th century, after John Wragg
inherited the land, 79 acres, from his
father Joseph Wragg
• John named the area “Wraggborough”
• He died before developing the land, but
planned it out in detail, plans that were
carried out by his siblings
• Hence, many of the streets in Mazyck-
Wraggborough have Anglo names, such
as
oAlexander Street
oAnn Street
oChapel Street
oCharlotte Street
oElizabeth Street
oJohn Street
oJudith Street
oMeeting Street (338-665)
oWragg Square
• The family lived within the borough for
a time, and later donated tree-lined
green spaces for public use, i.e.:
o Wragg Square
o Wragg Mall
• areas still present in modern day time.

4. Location
• Located above Calhoun Street on the
Cooper River side of the Charleston
peninsula
• Mayzck-Wraggborough is near to the
Upper King Street district
• Historically rich, the borough is
home to the Charleston Museum,
also known as “America’s First
Museum” founded in 1773
• Famed for its size and fine interior
furnishings, it is the most intact
townhouse complex in downtown
Charleston illustrating what
antebellum life was like on the
peninsula

5. • The Aiken-Rhett
House was built for
Charleston merchant
John Robinson in 1820
• A typical Charleston
double house, the
building consisted of a
central hallway with
two rooms on either
side.
• The front door was
located on the Judith
Street side of the
house, where the
piazza (a Charleston
term for a double
porch) is now located
The main floor ‘piazza’ of the Aiken-
Rhett House overlooking the garden,
with special triple-hung windows
providing access to the outside from the
Drawing Room.

6. •In 1833, the young
William Aiken and
his new bride,
Harriet Lowndes,
decided to make the
house their primary
residence
began an extensive
renovation of the
property.
•Three main
changes took place:
o the front
entrance was
moved
o the first floor
was
reconfigured
o a large
addition was
added to the
house

7. • A tour of this historic
property includes access to
the outbuilding inhabited by
Aiken slaves and their
descendants
• Inside the once lavish Greek
revival mansion, you will see
original 19th century interior
finishes
• Period finishing's and
paintings & sculptures
connected by and belonging
to the Aiken Rhett family
• The Aiken’s high standards
for elegant living and
entertainment can be
envisioned in each and every
artifact preserved throughout
the house
• Visitors and residents alike
can experience history
Carriages on display at the Aiken-Rhett
house in Charleston – preserved, not
restored.

9. Aiken Rhett House
Art gallery in Aiken-Rhett House in
Charleston
Aiken Rhett House
Drawing Room in Aiken-Rhett House in
Charleston

11. • The house exemplifies the changes
which occurred in architectural
design during the first half of the
nineteenth century, reflecting late
Federal period, Greek Revival, and
Victorian period influences.
• It is three stories high and is
constructed of stucco over brick.
• Quoins decorate the corners, while
the basement level has been
scored to resemble stone.
• The entrance façade was originally
designated on that which is now
the south (right side) façade.
• It features a Doric double piazza
of two-stories with a pediment at
attic level.
Right Oblique
Left Elevation
Left Rear Oblique
Outbuilding

12. • A semicircular fanlight graces the pediment
while elaborate consoles with acanthus
leaves accentuate either end.
• The tin roof is hipped and the restrained
cornice features modillions.
• The structure was extensively altered ca.
1833 and a one-story wing designed as an
art gallery was added in 1857-58.
• Included within the nominated acreage are
several outbuildings:
- a large kitchen building containing
three kitchens
- workrooms
- servant quarters on the second story
• In addition to a stable
- 2 Gothic style brick privies
- 2 shed structures

13. Listed in the National Register November 21, 1977
• William Aiken Jr. died at his summer home in Flat Rock, NC. on 1887.
• He left his property to his wife and daughter. Harriet Aiken continued
to live in the house until her death in 1892.
• Her daughter Henrietta, and son-in-law, Major A.B. Rhett, raised their
four daughters and one son in the house.
• Upon Henrietta’s death, the house was divided among her children.
Two sons, I’On Rhett and Andrew Burnett Rhett Jr. continued to live in
the house, though they made minimal alterations to the property in the
20th century.
• In 1949, I’On Rhett and his wife, Frances Hinson Dill, purchased the
interests of the other heirs.
• Mrs. Rhett donated the property to The Charleston Museum in 1975.
• The Charleston Museum owned the house until 1995, when Historic
Charleston Foundation purchased it.
• An extensive restoration of the hose’s exterior envelope was completed
in 2009, when it was line washed to its original bright color.