Robert William Roper House facts for kids
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Robert William Roper House
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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Robert William Roper House
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 9 E. Battery St., Charleston, South Carolina |
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| Built | 1838 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Charleston Historic District (ID66000964) |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001692 |
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 |
The Robert William Roper House is a famous old house at 9 East Battery in Charleston, South Carolina. It was built in 1838 for Robert W. Roper. He was a state legislator, which means he helped make laws for South Carolina. He was also a leader in the South Carolina Agricultural Society.
This house is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. This style was popular in the early 1800s. The house was built to be very grand and impressive. When it was first built, there was nothing between the house and the harbor. People say Mr. Roper wanted his house to be the first and most important building visitors saw when they arrived in Charleston by sea.
The Roper House was named a National Historic Landmark in 1973. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States. Experts said the house was "exceptional" and should be protected.
The History of Roper House
Building the House (1838–1851)
In 1836, the city of Charleston finished building a new sea wall. They wanted to make a park along the waterfront. But they didn't have enough money. So, the city decided to sell parts of the land instead.
In May 1838, Robert W. Roper bought two pieces of land. The rule was that any house built there had to be at least three stories tall. Roper built his house close to the northern edge of his land. Later, he bought more land from his neighbor. This extra land allowed him to build a driveway. The driveway went around the north side of his house to a carriage house.
Robert Roper passed away in 1845. He left the house to his wife, Martha Rutledge Roper. In 1851, Mrs. Roper sold the house to Mary Coachman Allston.
Changes and Challenges (1851–1874)
After Robert Roper bought more land in 1839, the rest of that land was sold. William Ravenel, a shipping merchant, bought it in 1842. Ravenel built his own house next door in 1845. His house also had grand columns, like Roper's.
Mary Allston, who owned the Roper House, passed away in 1859. Her house was then sold to William Ravenel. This meant Ravenel owned both the Roper House and his own house next door. They stayed together through the American Civil War.
In 1874, Ravenel sold the Roper House to Rudolph Septimus Siegling. Ravenel changed the property lines again. This made the Roper House tight against its northern neighbor once more. A new driveway had to be made on the south side.
During the Civil War, Charleston was attacked. In 1864, a shell hit the Roper House. It damaged the front porch. After two years of attacks, many houses along East Battery were empty. In February 1865, near the end of the war, Confederate troops left the city. They destroyed heavy artillery they couldn't move. A large cannon exploded near the house. A big piece of the cannon flew into the attic of the Roper House. It is said to still be there today!
Siegling Family Era (1874–1929)
Rudolph Septimus Siegling bought the Roper House in 1874. He was a successful lawyer and publisher. The house needed repairs after the war. Siegling had the money to fix it up.
Before Siegling bought the house, a stone wall separated the garden from the street. Siegling replaced this wall with an iron fence. He also replaced the damaged porch with a new Italian-style doorway. He changed some windows too. He blocked off side windows and updated the central ones.
On August 31, 1886, a powerful earthquake hit Charleston. Sixty people died, and many buildings were damaged. The house next door lost its porch. But the Roper House only had minor cracks. The big front porch was fine. Siegling also tore down the old carriage house. He added a new wing to the main house. This new part included a kitchen and a large ballroom. The house today looks very much like it did after Siegling's changes.
Later Owners (1929–Present)
Solomon Guggenheim's Time (1929–1952)
Solomon R. Guggenheim bought the Roper House around 1929 or 1930. He was famous for starting the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Guggenheim used the house as a winter getaway. He kept the house in good condition for twenty years. He also changed the ballroom into extra bedrooms. Guggenheim passed away in 1949. His family sold the house three years later.
The Hastie Family (1952–1968)
In 1952, Mr. and Mrs. J. Drayton Hastie bought the house. They owned Magnolia Gardens. They made an apartment for themselves upstairs. They also made an apartment for Mrs. Hastie's mother on the main floor. Mrs. Hastie's apartment was often shown on house tours. It was even photographed for a book. In 1968, Drayton Hastie sold the house. But his mother continued to live there until she passed away in 1981.
Richard Jenrette's Care (1968–2018)
Richard Jenrette bought the Roper House in 1968. He was a financier from New York. He was also known for saving and collecting important historic houses. He took full ownership in 1981. Over the next two years, he worked to restore the house. He had the walls painted to look like marble. He added beautiful curtains and carpets. He furnished the rooms with special antique furniture. He even hung portraits of George Washington and Andrew Jackson. Experts called his work an "exemplary restoration." Jenrette wrote two books about his time at the Roper House. He passed away at the house in 2018.
Current Ownership (2018–Present)
Today, the Roper House is owned by the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. This is a foundation that Richard Jenrette created. It helps protect historic homes.
Images for kids
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Sketch of Lots 5 and 6, purchased by Robert Roper in 1838, and part of Lot 7 purchased in 1839.
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Sketch of lot lines of Roper House in 1874, as reconfigured by William Ravenel in 1874.
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1929 survey showing Roper House property extended to Church Street.
