Charleston County Courthouse, Charleston

The design of this Neoclassical building in Charleston was inspired by Leinster House in Dublin, the current seat of the Irish Parliament, architected by James Hoban. The Courthouse itself later served as a model for Hoban's other, most famous creation – the U.S. White House.

George Washington was so impressed with Hoban's previous work that he summoned the architect to Philadelphia in June 1792. The following month, Hoban was declared the winner of the design competition for the presidential mansion in D.C.

An operational courthouse and a museum wrapped into one, this building makes for a nice, albeit short, historical experience. The free self-guided tour is made easy with tidbits of information given by the security guards.

Indeed, history echoes throughout this property hung with original life-size paintings portraying prominent figures like George Washington and Andrew Jackson. While the second-floor porch (from where the Declaration of Independence was read out to Charlestonians) has been unfortunately lost to time, the onsite law library remains intact complete with its wood panels, brass railings, and an impressive collection of leather-bound books in glass cases. An absolute must-see for history lovers!

Tip:
Take a moment to explore the impeccably maintained retro bathroom during your visit.