Joseph Manigault House, Charleston (must see)

The Manigault House, designed and constructed in 1803 by Charleston architect Gabriel Manigault for his brother Joseph, is a striking example of the elegant Adam style that dominated Charleston's architecture during the early 19th century. Both Manigault brothers, wealthy rice planters, had refined tastes influenced by their travels and education. Gabriel, who had studied in Geneva and London, maintained an extensive architectural library, and the house reflects his sophisticated architectural sensibilities.

This remarkable edifice features one of the most graceful staircases in Charleston and showcases an exceptional collection of period furniture from Charleston, America, England, and France. Additionally, the gatehouse near the entrance serves as a fascinating conversation piece, exemplifying the trend of wealthy homeowners striving to outdo their neighbors.

As a whole, the structure and its gatehouse have been initially considered an architectural folly. A bigger folly, however, almost occurred in 1920 when it was threatened with demolition to make way for a gas station. Fortunately, a preservation group, which later became the Preservation Society of Charleston, successfully prevented its destruction.

The 45-minute tour of the interior is enlightening as it explains why the house was built the way it was; as a plus, you'll get to see the delicately refined woodwork in the fireplace mantels, door and window moldings, and cornices, reflective of the style promoted by Robert Adam, which differentiated the scale of these elements in domestic and civic architecture.

Why You Should Visit:
This is where you go if you are an architecture fan, not an artifact lover. The fine detail in this house will delight and amaze!