About Us:
Kenneth Chorley, President of Colonial Williamsburg, delivers an address to the Carolina Art Association on "The Challenge to Charleston," calling for the creation of a foundation to "take the initiative in and to coordinate all the activities of your preservation and educational programs.
Historic Charleston Foundation is incorporated as an educational, not-for-profit preservation organization. Frances R. Edmunds becomes the Foundation's first employee in 1948 and later serves as its first executive director, shaping groundbreaking preservation initiatives and leading HCF for nearly 40 years until her retirement in 1985.
Historic Charleston Foundation initiated the Charleston International Antiques Show, a new earned-income and educational program that brought 33 world-class exhibitions, representing the most recognized names in American, Asian and European antiques. The three-day event showcased a full spectrum of period furnishings, decorative pieces and fine art, with diverse selections ranging from late 17th to the 20th century, including furniture, vintage jewelry, needlepoint samplers, oriental rugs, ceramics, architectural items, garden furniture, portrait miniatures, porcelains, quilts and silver.
The Foundation's nationally renowned Revolving Fund was revitalized, thanks in large part to a bequest by Mrs. Charles Woodward. HCF purchased and successfully sold with protective covenants 79 Anson Street, 9 George Street, and 13 Pitt Street.
Historic Charleston Foundation receives a prestigious Save America’s Treasures grant to begin restoring and protecting the exterior of the Aiken-Rhett House, the first step toward a multi-year restoration/conservation effort for this unique historic property. The Aiken-Rhett House was named one of America’s “Ten Grandest Mansions” in the July/August issue of Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine.
The Foundation pledges $75,000 to the city of Charleston to begin the process of developing an updated preservation plan for the city.
HCF staff takes a leadership position in the Mayor’s newly formed Walled City Mayor’s Task
