The Aiken-Rhett house is one of the most interesting houses open to the public in Charleston. Built in 1820, it remained in the hands of just one family for 142 years before it was sold to the Charleston Museum (America’s first museum!) in 1975. Now owned and operated as a museum house by the Historic Charleston Foundation, it’s a fantastic snapshot of how a wealthy Charleston family would have lived, including the working and living quarters of the slaves that were part of its history.
Located at the corner of Judith and Elizabeth Streets, it is open, Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun, 2-5 p.m. (last tour begins at 4:15 p.m.). Fascinating!