After the amazing meeting with Dot Scott, President of the Charleston Chapter of the NAACP, we headed to the Aiken Rhett House - one of the most well-preserved townhouse complex in Charleston.
The building was constructed in 1817 for a Charleston merchant, John Robinson. Then it was sold to an Irish immigrant William Aiken, Sr.in 1827. After his death, the house was inherited by his son - William Aiken, Jr., who renovated the property. When AIken passed away it became a real estate of his son-in-law - Major A.B. Rhett. Aiken Rhett House was donated to the Charleston Museum in 1975 and then purchased by Historic Charleston Foundation in 1995.
Since our group is especially interested in African American heritage, we focused on the 2 attached buildings that were inhabited by slaves. We've seen the kitchen house, bedrooms, dining room and carriage house. According to the historic experts blacks who lived there were treated very well. Providing the paint analysis, we may assume that Aiken - one of the largest slaveholders, allowed his servants to decorate their headquarters. This was some kind of autonomy given to slaves.
After having seen this part of the complex, we walked inside the main house which included many large rooms. We had an opportunity to see and admire different kinds of architectural styles.
Gosia
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