Heyward-Washington House facts for kids
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Heyward-Washington House
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Heyward-Washington House
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 87 Church St., Charleston, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1772 |
| Part of | Charleston Historic District (ID66000964) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000576 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | April 15, 1970 |
| Designated NHLDCP | October 9, 1960 |
The Heyward-Washington House is a special old house that is now a historic house museum in Charleston, South Carolina. It was built in 1772. This house was once the home of Thomas Heyward, Jr., who was one of the people who signed the United States Declaration of Independence.
Later, in 1791, George Washington himself stayed here during his visit to Charleston. Today, the Charleston Museum owns and takes care of the house. Inside, you can see furniture from the late 1700s, including pieces made right there in Charleston. There's also an old carriage shed and a kitchen building from the 1740s. This house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970 because of its important history.
Contents
History of the Heyward-Washington House
Early Days and Famous Residents
The Heyward-Washington House was built in 1772. It is a Georgian-style house, which means it has a balanced and grand design. This house was the city home of Thomas Heyward, Jr.. He was one of the important leaders, called a "Founding Father," who helped create the United States.
Thomas Heyward, Jr. was one of four people from South Carolina who signed the Declaration of Independence. This document declared America's freedom from Great Britain. During the American Revolutionary War, Heyward was a leader and an officer in the army. He fought for American independence.
In 1780, the British army surrounded and took over Charleston. Heyward was captured during this time. He was sent away from his home to St. Augustine, Florida. However, he was later set free in 1781.
In May 1791, George Washington visited Charleston for a week. The city rented this house for him to stay in. Because of this special visit, the house has always been known as the "Heyward-Washington House."
A Home Through the Years
Thomas Heyward, Jr. sold the house in 1794. It was bought by John F. Grimké, who was also an officer in the Revolutionary War. John F. Grimké was the father of Sarah and Angelina Grimké. These sisters became very famous later on. They fought to end slavery and for women's right to vote.
In 1824, Mrs. Margaret Munro bought the house. She ran a boarding house there, which was like a hotel. Margaret Munro left the house to her granddaughter, Elizabeth Jane Hervey. Elizabeth married Tobias Cambridge Trott in 1857. They lived at 87 Church Street after they got married.
Tobias Trott died in 1863. Around that time, the Union army attacked Charleston with cannons during the Civil War. Elizabeth left the city with her three young children to be safe. After the city was taken, Union soldiers stayed at the house.
On May 23, 1901, a special bronze marker was put up. It tells the story of George Washington's stay at the house in May 1791.
Becoming a Museum
The Charleston Museum bought the Heyward-Washington House in 1929. The very next year, in 1930, it opened to the public. It was the first historic house museum in Charleston. In 1978, the house was officially recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Today, the museum shows off many old pieces of furniture made in Charleston. This includes a very valuable bookcase called the Holmes Bookcase. It is considered one of the best examples of American colonial furniture. The property also has the only kitchen building from the 1740s that you can visit in Charleston. There are also beautiful gardens with plants that were common in the coastal area of South Carolina in the late 1700s.
See also
