Heyward-Washington House
Encyclopedia
Heyward-Washington House is a historic house museum in Charleston, South Carolina
that is owned and operated by the Charleston Museum
. Furnished for the late 18th century, the house includes a collection of Charleston-made furniture. Other structures include the carriage shed and 1740s kitchen building.
The house was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1970.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History summary is here.
.
In May 1791, the City of Charleston rented the house for use by George Washington
during his week-long stay, and thus the house became traditionally known as the “Heyward-Washington House.”
William Henry Fuseler, Born February 16, 1854, lived in The Heyward-Washington House and operated a bakery from around 1883 to 1925.
The Charleston Museum purchased the house in 1929 and opened it as a historic house museum in 1930.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
that is owned and operated by the Charleston Museum
Charleston Museum
The Charleston Museum was the first museum built in America and was founded in 1773. It is located in the Downtown Historic District of Charleston, South Carolina....
. Furnished for the late 18th century, the house includes a collection of Charleston-made furniture. Other structures include the carriage shed and 1740s kitchen building.
The house was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1970.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History summary is here.
History
The house is located in the downtown Historic District within the area of the original walled city. Rice planter Daniel Heyward built the house in 1772 for his son, Thomas Heyward, Jr., who became a patriot leader and was a signer of the Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
.
In May 1791, the City of Charleston rented the house for use by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
during his week-long stay, and thus the house became traditionally known as the “Heyward-Washington House.”
William Henry Fuseler, Born February 16, 1854, lived in The Heyward-Washington House and operated a bakery from around 1883 to 1925.
The Charleston Museum purchased the house in 1929 and opened it as a historic house museum in 1930.
External links
- Heyward-Washington House, Charleston County (87 Church St., Charleston), at South Carolina Department of Archives and History
- The Heyward-Washington House, at The Charleston Museum