Historic Charleston Foundation
Professional services
UnclaimedA South Carolina nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Charleston's historic buildings, neighborhoods, cultural character, and livability.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) is a nonprofit historic-preservation organization established in 1947 to protect the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of Charleston, South Carolina. Its work combines advocacy, property stewardship, research, education, community planning, volunteer engagement, and technical and financial assistance for owners of historic properties. Rather than operating as a conventional commercial brand, HCF functions as a civic and cultural institution whose programs influence the way Charleston's historic places are conserved, interpreted, developed, and integrated into contemporary community life. A central element of HCF's preservation model is its revolving fund. Created in 1957 with $100,000 raised by the foundation, the fund was designed to acquire endangered historic properties, stabilize and rehabilitate them, and resell them to preservation-minded owners subject to protective easements or restrictive covenants. Sale proceeds replenish the fund, allowing it to be used repeatedly. This approach helped HCF move beyond advocacy alone and directly intervene in the real-estate market when significant buildings were threatened. Its first major application was the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project, begun in 1958. Over approximately twelve years, more than sixty structures in the six-block neighborhood were rehabilitated, including the Benjamin Simons Neufville House. The revolving fund was renewed in the 2000s with a $300,000 estate gift from Elizabeth Woodward. HCF subsequently acquired properties including 79 Anson Street, 9 George Street, and 13 Pitt Street, arranging their sale with preservation protections. The organization has also used partnership-based preservation to address neighborhood needs. In 2010, it worked with Charleston Habitat for Humanity and the City of Charleston on the rehabilitation of a small historic house on Lee Street. Completed in February 2011, the project combined housing assistance with protection of the building's historic features and placed restrictive covenants on the property after completion. HCF also operates and interprets historic house museums. It has managed the Aiken-Rhett House since 1995. The property, built in 1818 and substantially expanded by William Aiken Jr. and Harriet Lowndes Aiken during the nineteenth century, retains much of its historic character and presents period furnishings and objects associated with the household. HCF also operates the Nathaniel Russell House, a National Historic Landmark whose interpretation addresses both the Russell family and the African-American enslaved people who lived and worked on the property. These museums connect architectural preservation with public history and education. The foundation participates in broader policy debates concerning land use, zoning, transportation, affordable housing, design review, and the future of historic neighborhoods. In 2007, it encouraged the City of Charleston to prepare a new preservation plan and contributed $75,000 toward the process. The resulting plan, adopted in 2008, updated the city's 1975 framework and addressed twenty-first-century preservation and planning challenges. HCF and the city received national recognition for that work in 2009, while HCF was also honored by South Carolina in 2008 for its charitable and philanthropic contribution. In 2023, HCF's decision to pursue the sale of the Nathaniel Russell House generated public concern in Charleston. The foundation reversed that decision in 2024 following community reaction and strategic reconsideration. Winslow Hastie has served as HCF's president and chief executive officer since 2018. The foundation remains an active regional preservation organization, combining property conservation, museum operations, advocacy, education, and community partnerships.
History
Historic Charleston Foundation was established in 1947 to preserve the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of Charleston, South Carolina. Its mission developed in response to the pressures affecting historic buildings and neighborhoods, and it became involved not only in preserving individual structures but also in advocating for the continued authenticity, cultural character, and livability of the wider Charleston region. In 1957, HCF introduced a revolving fund with $100,000 in initial capital. The mechanism became one of the foundation's defining preservation tools. HCF could acquire endangered properties, stabilize them, and sell them to owners willing to accept protective easements or restrictive covenants. The proceeds were returned to the fund, allowing later acquisitions and interventions. This model enabled the foundation to act directly when important properties were at risk and is identified as an early, nationally significant example of revolving-fund preservation practice. The fund supported the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project, launched in 1958. The project focused on a six-block section bounded by Market, Calhoun, East Bay, and Meeting streets. Over a twelve-year period, more than sixty buildings were rehabilitated, including the Benjamin Simons Neufville House. The work demonstrated HCF's neighborhood-scale approach: preservation was treated as a coordinated urban and community undertaking rather than a series of isolated building restorations. HCF expanded its public-facing role through historic house museums. The Aiken-Rhett House, originally built in 1818 and enlarged during the 1830s and 1850s, remained relatively unchanged after 1858. It passed to the Charleston Museum in 1975 and has been owned and managed as a museum by HCF since 1995. The Nathaniel Russell House, a National Historic Landmark, is another major HCF property. Its interpretation includes the architecture and furnishings associated with the Russell family as well as the experiences of the African-American enslaved people who lived on the property. The house was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The revolving fund was revitalized in 2004 through a $300,000 gift from the estate of Elizabeth Woodward. HCF used the renewed resources to acquire 79 Anson Street and 9 George Street, which were sold with protective covenants. In 2005, it acquired 13 Pitt Street, one of the larger properties in Harleston Village, and later transferred it to a buyer who accepted preservation protections. HCF has also used collaboration to connect preservation with housing and neighborhood needs. In 2010, it partnered with Charleston Habitat for Humanity and the City of Charleston on a small historic house on Lee Street. The project was completed in February 2011. The city identified the property and household requiring assistance, Habitat for Humanity coordinated eligibility and construction participation, and HCF contributed preservation expertise and funding through its Neighborhood Impact Initiative. Protective covenants were placed on the house after rehabilitation. Planning advocacy became particularly visible during the foundation's sixtieth-anniversary period. In 2007, HCF urged Charleston to replace its 1975 preservation plan and donated $75,000 to initiate the work. The new plan, adopted in 2008, addressed land use and zoning, public education, neighborhood analysis, affordable housing, transportation, and design review. HCF and the city received a National Trust for Historic Preservation award in 2009 for the plan and related preservation work. HCF had earlier received a 2008 South Carolina Angel Award recognizing nonprofit organizations whose philanthropic resources supported their missions effectively. In 2023, HCF voted to sell the Nathaniel Russell House as part of new strategic plans. The proposed sale prompted concern in Charleston. In 2024, the foundation reversed that decision. Winslow Hastie has served as president and chief executive officer since 2018. Today, HCF's activities encompass advocacy, stewardship, research, museum interpretation, education, volunteerism, technical assistance, financial assistance, and participation in community planning.
- 2024
Sale decision reversed
[1]The foundation reversed its decision to sell the Nathaniel Russell House.
- 2023
Proposed sale of Nathaniel Russell House
[1]HCF voted to sell the Nathaniel Russell House under a new strategic plan, prompting public concern.
- 2018
Winslow Hastie becomes president and CEO
[1]Winslow Hastie began serving as the foundation's president and chief executive officer.
- 2010
Lee Street housing-preservation partnership begins
[1]HCF joined the City of Charleston and Charleston Habitat for Humanity in a combined housing rehabilitation and historic-preservation project.
- 2008
Charleston adopts updated preservation plan
[1]The city adopted a plan addressing zoning, land use, housing, transportation, education, neighborhoods, and design review.
- 2007
Support for a new Charleston preservation plan
[1]HCF donated $75,000 and advocated for an updated city preservation plan.
- 2004
Revolving fund revitalized
[1]A $300,000 estate gift provided new capital for the foundation's revolving-fund preservation work.
- 1995
HCF begins managing the Aiken-Rhett House
[1]The foundation assumed ownership and museum management of the Aiken-Rhett House.
- 1958
Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project begins
[1]HCF began a major neighborhood rehabilitation effort that ultimately restored more than sixty structures over twelve years.
- 1957
Revolving fund created
[1]The foundation established a $100,000 revolving fund to acquire, stabilize, and resell endangered historic properties with preservation restrictions.
Products and positioning
A civic preservation institution that combines direct stewardship of historic properties with advocacy, education, research, community planning, and practical assistance for Charleston-area preservation.
Historic house museum · 1995
Aiken-Rhett House
The Aiken-Rhett House is an early nineteenth-century Charleston townhouse complex at 48 Elizabeth Street. Built in 1818 and expanded by William Aiken Jr. and Harriet Lowndes Aiken in the 1830s and 1850s, it preserves much of its historic appearance after 1858. HCF has owned and managed the property as a museum since 1995, presenting period interiors, furnishings, art, and the history of the household.
Historic house museum
Nathaniel Russell House
The Nathaniel Russell House at 51 Meeting Street is a National Historic Landmark and a major HCF museum property. Its interpretation combines architectural and decorative-arts history with accounts of the Russell family and the African-American enslaved people who lived and worked there. The house was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Property preservation program · 1957
Preservation revolving fund
HCF's revolving fund acquires endangered historic properties, stabilizes or rehabilitates them, and transfers them to preservation-minded owners subject to easements or restrictive covenants. Proceeds from sales replenish the fund, enabling repeated interventions. The program supported the Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project and later acquisitions in Ansonborough and Harleston Village.
Professional preservation service · 1947
Preservation advocacy and technical assistance
HCF advocates for historic authenticity, cultural character, and regional livability while providing research, technical guidance, educational programming, and financial assistance related to historic properties. Its policy work includes participation in community planning and debate over zoning, land use, transportation, affordable housing, and design review.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Lee Street Neighborhood Impact Initiative project
Charleston, South Carolina
HCF partnered with Charleston Habitat for Humanity and the City of Charleston to rehabilitate a small historic house for a family identified as needing housing assistance. HCF contributed preservation expertise and funding while the partner organizations coordinated eligibility, volunteers, and construction.
Outcome. The work was completed in February 2011, and HCF placed restrictive covenants on the house to protect its historic character.
- 2007Charleston Preservation Plan advocacy
Charleston, South Carolina
As part of its anniversary activities, HCF pressed the City of Charleston to update its 1975 preservation plan and contributed $75,000 to begin the process.
Outcome. The updated plan was adopted in 2008 and addressed land use, zoning, education, neighborhood analysis, affordable housing, transportation, and design review. HCF and the city received national recognition in 2009.
- 1958Ansonborough Rehabilitation Project
Charleston, South Carolina
HCF used its revolving-fund model to support a coordinated rehabilitation effort in a six-block Ansonborough area bounded by Market, Calhoun, East Bay, and Meeting streets. More than sixty structures were rehabilitated over twelve years.
Outcome. The project preserved a substantial historic neighborhood, including the Benjamin Simons Neufville House, and demonstrated the foundation's neighborhood-scale preservation strategy.
Brand decisions
2024
Reversal of Nathaniel Russell House sale decisionStrategyBackground
The reversal followed public concern about the proposed sale and further consideration of the foundation's strategic direction.
Action taken
HCF reversed its 2023 decision to sell the Nathaniel Russell House.
Aftermath
The house remained associated with HCF's active museum and preservation mission.
2023
Vote to sell the Nathaniel Russell HouseStrategyBackground
HCF considered the disposition of the Nathaniel Russell House within a new strategic plan. The property is a National Historic Landmark and an important public museum.
Action taken
The foundation voted to sell the house.
Aftermath
The proposed sale caused concern among Charleston citizens and preservation stakeholders. HCF reversed the decision in 2024.
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