Hibernian Hall (Charleston, South Carolina) facts for kids
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Hibernian Hall
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 00+ Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1840 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Charleston Historic District (ID66000964) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001686 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | November 7, 1973 |
| Designated NHLDCP | October 9, 1960 |
Hibernian Hall is an old and important building located at 105 Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. It was built in 1840 and is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. This style looks like ancient Greek temples. The beautiful iron gates were made by a skilled craftsman named Christopher Werner.
This hall is famous because of a very important meeting that happened there in 1860. It was the Democratic Party's big meeting to choose their candidate for president. However, the party was deeply divided over the issue of slavery. They couldn't agree on a candidate. This disagreement helped the Republican Party, which was against slavery, win the 1860 presidential election. The building was recognized as a special National Historic Landmark in 1973. Today, Hibernian Hall is still used for events and meetings.
About Hibernian Hall
Hibernian Hall stands at 105 Meeting Street in the center of Charleston. It's near a famous intersection called the "Four Corners of Law". The building was finished in 1840. It was designed by Thomas Ustick Walter from Philadelphia.
The hall was built for the Hibernian Society of Charleston. This group started in 1801 and was mostly made up of Irish immigrants. They were a friendly society that helped each other. Hibernian Hall is the only building Walter designed in Charleston.
Building Design and Features
The hall is a two-story building made of brick. It's covered in white stucco, which makes it look like stone. Its main feature is a front that looks like a Greek temple. It has six tall Ionic columns that hold up a flat top section and a triangular roof part. The architect based these parts on an ancient Greek temple called the Temple of Illisius.
The beautiful iron gates at the entrance were made by a master artist named Christopher Werner. Later, after the building was damaged in the 1886 Charleston earthquake, some changes were made. Small block-like decorations were added, and an arched window was put into the triangular roof section. These changes gave it a slightly different, more Italian-style look.
Important Events at the Hall
Hibernian Hall is the only building left that was part of the 1860 Democratic National Convention. This meeting was one of the most important political gatherings in American history. The building served as the main place for one group of the Democratic Party. This group supported Stephen A. Douglas for president.
The first floor of the hall was used for meetings. The second floor was where the delegates, or representatives, stayed. Hundreds of beds were set up for them. Because the Democratic Party couldn't agree on one candidate, it helped Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, win the election.
