The Heyward-Washington House at 87 Church Street in Charleston, South Carolina, is a three-story Georgian brick double tenement built around 1772 by rice planter Daniel Heyward as a rental investment property. His son, Thomas Heyward Jr., who signed the Declaration of Independence and served in the Continental Army, occupied the house during his Charleston residence. The house takes its dual name from the Heyward family and from President George Washington, who lodged here for one week in May 1791 during his Southern Tour of the new republic — one of only four historic houses still standing where Washington slept during this journey. Operated by the Charleston Museum, the house is one of the finest preserved 18th-century urban dwellings in the American South. The furnished interior presents an exceptionally high-quality collection of period pieces, most notably a significant group of Charleston-made furniture attributed to cabinetmaker Thomas Elfe — considered the finest maker working in 18th-century South Carolina. The collection includes Elfe's distinctive fretwork pieces in mahogany alongside Charleston-produced silver, Delftware, and textiles. Interpretation covers both the planter-class family's domestic life and the lives of the enslaved people who cooked, cleaned, and maintained the household. The detached kitchen building at the rear of the lot, accessible on the tour, is one of the rarest surviving examples of a colonial-era detached kitchen in Charleston. The house sits in the Church Street historic streetscape, steps from St. Michael's Episcopal Church (1761) and within a five-minute walk of Rainbow Row. Guided tours depart regularly throughout the day; the tour lasts approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
Good to know
- Hours
- Mon-Sat 10 AM - 5 PM
- Best time
- Morning before afternoon guided tours fill up
Location
87 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401
32.7738, -79.9330 View on map
Highlights
- One of four surviving houses where President George Washington slept during his 1791 Southern Tour
- Outstanding collection of Charleston-made Thomas Elfe furniture — the finest 18th-century cabinetmaker in South Carolina
- Detached colonial kitchen at the rear, one of Charleston's rarest surviving examples of this building type
- Interpretation covering both the Heyward family's life and the enslaved household workers who maintained the property
- Located on the historic Church Street streetscape, steps from St. Michael's Church and Rainbow Row
Tips for visiting
- The first morning tour (around 10 AM) is the least crowded; afternoon tours in spring and summer often fill to capacity
- Tickets can be purchased at the door or through the Charleston Museum on Meeting Street nearby — the museum offers combo admission covering both sites
- The Thomas Elfe furniture deserves close attention; ask the guide to point out the distinctive fretwork detailing that distinguishes his pieces
- The rear kitchen building is accessible only on the guided tour, not independently
- Combine with Nathaniel Russell House (Charleston Preservation Society, 5 minutes walk) for a comparative 18th-century interior experience
When to visit
Morning tours starting at 10 AM offer the smallest groups and the coolest indoor temperatures. Spring and fall are the most comfortable visiting seasons; summer heat in the upper floors can be significant in a historic building without modern air conditioning.
Accessibility
The Heyward-Washington House is a historic 18th-century structure with multiple floors connected by original steep staircases. It is not wheelchair-accessible above the ground floor. The ground-floor entrance area and a portion of the exterior can be seen without climbing stairs. Contact the Charleston Museum in advance for accessibility arrangements.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the Heyward-Washington House tour take?
Guided tours run approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Tours depart at regular intervals throughout the day Monday through Saturday. Self-guided exploration is not available; all access is through the guided tour.
Is the Heyward-Washington House accessible for visitors with mobility limitations?
The historic building has multiple floors connected by original 18th-century staircases that are not accessible for wheelchair users. The ground floor can be partially viewed; contact the Charleston Museum in advance to discuss what is accessible.
What makes the Heyward-Washington House significant beyond the Washington connection?
The Thomas Elfe furniture collection is considered nationally significant — among the finest surviving examples of colonial American craftwork. The detached kitchen building is also among the best-preserved of its type in the Southeast, adding architectural importance beyond the presidential connection.