Institution: Historic Charleston Foundation

Historic Charleston Foundation’s Map Collection

This small map collection features original and facsimiles of historic maps of Charleston. Additional maps may be added in the future.


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The Zacharias Collection

Still images found among the belongings of Henry T. Zacharias, a Charleston builder and contractor in the late 19th- and early-20th century. Zacharias built and/or repaired many notable buildings in Charleston. Includes photographs and one engraving of buildings on which he worked (or likely worked); photographs of battleships in dry dock at the Charleston Navy …


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Tourism Publications

This collection includes pamphlets, brochures, and souvenir booklets that feature historic buildings, landmarks, historic sites, and other points of interest. Many include Charleston history, narrative descriptions properties, photographs, and other illustrations. The collection spans 1890-1940.


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The Charleston Earthquake, 1886

Photographs of the damage caused by the Charleston Earthquake of 1886. Photos are captioned with details, including the dollar amount of the damage. Introductory text by Alex. M. Cochran. Also includes advertisements for a variety of Charleston businesses, trades, merchants, and professionals. Publisher unknown. 70 p.; 24 cm.


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Scenes in Charleston, ca. 1940s

Nineteen ca. 1940s photographs of scenes in Charleston, South Carolina. Sixteen are of various buildings and streets and three feature wooden structures in an unidentified rural setting.


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Sabina E. Wells Photographs

Photographs taken by Sabina Elliott Wells in 1898-1899. Wells was a Charleston artist and designer; she was also a Newcomb potter. Photographs include scenes in Charleston and the Lowcountry, in northwest South Carolina (Table Rock and vicinity), and in western North Carolina (Flat Rock and vicinity). Scans were derived from negatives donated to Historic Charleston …


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Rice Harvest at Mulberry Plantation (Berkeley County, SC)

Mulberry Plantation is believed to have received its name because of an early interest in raising silk, as worms that spin silk generally feed on Mulberry leaves. However, the plantation was more successful as a rice plantation. Rice was cultivated at Mulberry Plantation from colonial days until 1918. Rice cultivation was difficult and dangerous work …


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Nathaniel Russel House Museum

A National Historic Landmark, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum was built and completed in 1808 for Charleston slave merchant Nathaniel Russell, becoming an exemplar of neoclassical architecture in the United States. Historic Charleston Foundation acquired the house in 1955 and has restored the site to its original 1808 appearance using forensic analysis and cutting-edge conservation …


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Historic Charleston Foundation Oral History Project

Historic Charleston Foundation’s Oral History Project began in 2003 as a staff initiative which grew from the realization that Charleston was rapidly losing members of the generation involved with the founding of Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF).  At that time, the decision was made to videotape hour-long interviews with former trustees and other pioneers in the …


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Glimpses of the South Carolina, Interstate and West Indian Exposition

Souvenir booklet entitled Glimpses of the South Carolina, Interstate and West Indian Exposition Including Some Characteristic Views of the City of Charleston and Scenes at the Pan-American Exposition Recently Held at Buffalo: 126 Half-tone Pictures and a Map of the Grounds. Booklet contains captioned photographs, including some with descriptive text. Measures 13 x 18 cm.


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