Historic Charleston Foundation welcomes you to the 75th Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens. Enjoy new Sip and Stroll Tours, which will provide guests with exclusive entry into some of Charleston's loveliest private gardens, perfectly paired with wine tastings. The popular Glorious Garden Tours on Fridays feature private gardens in the Historic District; and Garden Splendor Tours, which feature some of Charleston's most exclusive private gardens.
In a true celebration of Charleston’s culture, Gullah Spirituals; Food for Thought Luncheon Lectures with topics ranging from Charleston myths to the Gullah influence on Southern cuisine; Floral Demonstrations; Morning History Walks; themed walking tours that take a deeper look at areas of Charleston's history, and wine tastings will allow you to Live Like a Local and immerse yourself in the Lowcountry experience.
Since 1947, the Festival of Houses and Gardens has been Historic Charleston Foundation’s largest fundraiser and educational tool, and has provided intimate glimpses into some of the most beautiful homes and gardens in Charleston, SC. Come along with us for educational tours and events that explore the area’s significant cultural and architectural landscapes and historic events in the Charleston region, from 350 years ago to present day.
Vital support from Festival patrons, donors, and partners enables HCF to fulfill its mission through education, advocacy, and preservation initiatives.
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Charleston Festival of Houses and Gardens
Historic Charleston Foundation
108 Meeting St
Charleston SC 29401
(843) 722-3405
Festival of Houses and Gardens Website
Date: March 15 - April 16, 2023
Time: Tours and events vary daily
Admission: Tickets: $55 - $150
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Morning History Walks 3.15.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – Charleston’s Lost Burials and Forgotten Cemeteries 3.15.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
New construction nearly always unearths long-lost remnants. Occasionally, however, several of these same projects uncover those citizens themselves. Join Grahame Long, HCF’s Director of Museums, for this fascinating lecture on Charleston’s past.
King Street Tour 3.15.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the King Street House and Garden Tour! Browse from one location to another on the self-guided tour and enjoy the walk along the way. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Morning History Walks 3.16.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – Mavericks, Mothers, and Mavens 3.16.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Throughout its 350-year history, courageous and innovative women have helped shape the history of Charleston. Hear their stories as told by Valerie Perry, Historic Charleston Foundation’s Manager of the Aiken-Rhett House Museum.
East Bay Street Tour 3.16.23
2 pm - 5 pm
Join us for the East Bay Street House and Garden Tour, one of the most photographed and historic streets in Charleston. Browse from one location to another at your leisure and enjoy the walk along the way. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each ticket.
Festival Music Series: Plantation Singers 3.16.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The Plantation Singers, one of the Southeast’s most acclaimed a cappella groups are back by popular demand. Clap your hands and feel the spirit during their energetic performances of Gullah spirituals. In addition, learn more about the rich Gullah culture throughout segments of their performance.
Morning History Walks 3.17.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Garden Splendor: Tour of Showcase Gardens 3.17.23
10 am - 12 pm
Passionate gardeners will savor four spectacular gardens in Charleston’s famed historic district. Enthusiasts will gather in small, intimate groups to learn the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of designing and maintaining a select group of Charleston’s most celebrated gardens with expert guides.
Luncheon Lecture – Charleston Gardens: Past and Present 3.17.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Louisa Pringle Cameron, a native Charlestonian and author of three books on Charleston gardens, presents a brief history of gardening in Charleston. A book signing will follow.
Glorious Gardens 3.17.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Do you love a blooming garden and the unique style of Charleston’s landscapes and gardens? Take a specially curated tour focusing on the gorgeous (and blooming) gardens in Charleston’s most historic and charming neighborhoods.
Morning Photography Walkabout 3.18.23
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Discover Charleston through your camera (or phone) lens! Historic Charleston Foundation’s staff photographer will share tips, tricks and techniques valuable to anyone wishing to capture Charleston’s charm from beginner to expert, as she escorts the group through Charleston’s most “insta-worthy” scenes.
Morning History Walks 3.18.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
King Street Tour 3.18.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the King Street House and Garden Tour! Browse from one location to another on this self-guided tour, and enjoy the walk along the way. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Rosé and Roses in the Garden 3.18.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Wine your way through the stunning garden of Nathaniel Russell House Museum, ca.1808, located in the heart of historic Charleston. Enjoy light bites, wine (white and rosé), and the sweet sounds of live strings as you sip and stroll the glorious garden, and explore this restored Historic House Museum.
East Bay Street Tour 3.19.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the East Bay Street House and Garden Tour, one of the most photographed and historic streets in Charleston. Browse from one location to another at your leisure and enjoy the walk along the way. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each ticket.
Morning History Walks 3.20.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Who was Denmark Vesey? Lecture with Dr. Bernard Powers 3.20.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Dr. Bernard Powers explores the life of Denmark Vesey and his efforts to organize a slave insurrection in Charleston, including connections to events in the larger Atlantic World, the causes of the Civil War, and America’s contemporary racial issues.
Macrame Plant Hanger Workshop 3.20.23
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Join Aliza from Rosie the Wanderer to learn how to tie basic macrame knots to make your own macrame plant hanger. In this 2 hour class you will learn many fun knot patterns and designs. By the end of the class, you will know the basics so that you can take the skills home and make some fun handmade.
Morning History Walks 3.21.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Calligraphy Workshop 3.21.23
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Learn the basics of the beautiful and romantic art of calligraphy with Cacky Bastian of Love Letter Gray, Charleston’s favorite wedding calligrapher. This lost art will take you back in time exploring the principles of pen and ink.
Container Gardening Demonstration 3.21.23
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
The garden experts at Meeting Green Gardens share insider tips and local tricks while demonstrating how to create stunning seasonal garden masterpieces for your own home. Demonstrations will be held in the gardens of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum.
Cocktail Bandits Workshop 3.21.23
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Join Taneka and Johnny, Charleston’s beloved Cocktail Bandits, for a very special tequila and rum based cocktail workshop. Learn about the origins of rum in Charleston’s oldest ports.
Morning History Walks 3.22.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – Hooligans and Rice Kings 3.22.23
11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Join Lindy Keane Carter, author of The Rice Birds, for the true stories of Charleston’s struggling Irish immigrants, abolition-defiant rice planters, scheming sea captains, and the workings of the vast hydraulic systems known as rice fields.
South Battery Tour 3.22.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the South Battery Street House and Garden Tour, one of the most photographed and historic streets in Charleston, within walking distance of White Point Gardens. Construction of the postbellum era includes early 20th-century waterfront mansions, some of which overlook White Point Garden and Charleston Harbor, along South Battery and Murray Blvd. Browse from one location to another on your self-guided tour. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Sunset Harbor History Boat Tour 3.22.23
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Y’all aboard” the Carolina Queen for a panoramic perspective of the South’s most storied seaport. Published historian and the Foundation’s Manager of Education and Programming, Carin Bloom will provide colorful commentary of the area’s rich maritime history pre-dating the Revolutionary War while you enjoy stunning sunset views of Charleston’s architecture. This exclusive, premiere Festival Harbor Tour includes light bites, soft drinks, one drink ticket and cash bar.
Morning History Walks 3.23.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Architectural Splendor Tour 3.23.23
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Magnificent architectural treasures and their incredible decorative arts and furnishings collections will be interpreted by leading local experts during this once-in-a-lifetime tour. Guests will gather in small intimate groups to visit four select properties south of Broad Street in the Old and Historic Districts.
Montagu Street Tour 3.23.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Some of the city’s finest examples of Federal, Regency, Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian architecture are found in this neighborhood adjacent to Montagu Street, now known as Harleston Village.
Festival Music Series: JonathanKammer Jazz Project 3.23.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Join the Jonathan Kammer Jazz Project for an uplifting jazz session. With multi-instrumentalist Jonathan at the helm, this quartet will lead you through an uplifting repertoire and touch on the history of jazz in Charleston, often argued as the real birthplace of jazz.
Morning History Walks 3.24.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – The Allure of Charleston by Susan Sully 3.24.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Susan Sully has authored and professionally photographed many books on architecture and design. She will share her discoveries about Charleston’s particular design language, its history, and how it perpetuates today as shown in her gorgeous book, The Allure of Charleston. This book illustrates some of our favorite, grand, and lavish interiors in the Holy City.
Glorious Gardens 3.24.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Do you love a blooming garden and the unique style of Charleston’s landscapes and gardens? Take a specially curated tour focusing on the gorgeous (and blooming) gardens in Charleston’s most historic and charming neighborhoods.
Morning Photography Walkabout 3.25.23
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Discover Charleston through your camera (or phone) lens! Historic Charleston Foundation’s staff photographer will share tips, tricks and techniques valuable to anyone wishing to capture Charleston’s charm from beginner to expert, as she escorts the group through Charleston’s most “insta-worthy” scenes.
Morning History Walks 3.25.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
South Battery Street Tour 3.25.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the South Battery Street House and Garden Tour, one of the most photographed and historic streets in Charleston, within walking distance of White Point Gardens. Construction of the postbellum era includes early 20th-century waterfront mansions, some of which overlook White Point Garden and Charleston Harbor, along South Battery and Murray Blvd. Browse from one location to another on your self-guided walking tour. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Rosé and Roses in the Garden 3.25.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Wine your way through the stunning garden of Nathaniel Russell House Museum, ca.1808, located in the heart of historic Charleston. Enjoy light bites, wine (white and rosé), and the sweet sounds of live strings as you sip and stroll the glorious garden, and explore this restored Historic House Museum.
Montagu Street Tour 3.26.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Some of the city’s finest examples of Federal, Regency, Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian architecture are found in this neighborhood adjacent to Montagu Street, now known as Harleston Village.
Morning History Walks 3.27.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – Resisting Jim Crow: An Uncovered Perspective 3.27.23
10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Pharmacist Dr. John A. McFall was among the first generation born in freedom and witnessed the crippling of economic strides made by citizens of African descent in Charleston. Lahnice Hollister, his grandniece, will discuss his life as Dr. McFall wrote it in his memoir.
Macrame Plant Hanger Workshop 3.27.23
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Join Aliza from Rosie the Wanderer to learn how to tie basic macrame knots to make your own macrame plant hanger. In this 2 hour class you will learn many fun knot patterns and designs. By the end of the class, you will know the basics so that you can take the skills home and make some fun handmade.
Morning History Walks 3.28.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Calligraphy Workshop 3.28.23
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Learn the basics of the beautiful and romantic art of calligraphy with Cacky Bastian of Love Letter Gray, Charleston’s favorite wedding calligrapher. This lost art will take you back in time exploring the principles of pen and ink.
Container Gardening Demonstration 3.28.23
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
The garden experts at Meeting Green Gardens share insider tips and local tricks while demonstrating how to create stunning seasonal garden masterpieces for your own home. Demonstrations will be held in the gardens of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum.
Wine Tasting: Sips & Sommeliers 3.28.23
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Explore a curated wine tasting prepared by expert sommeliers from one of Charleston’s favorite wine shops, Wine & Co., while overlooking the Charleston Harbor. Light bites will be available for pairing.
Morning History Walks 3.29.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – The Art of Sweetgrass Baskets 3.29.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Sarah Hammond will be presenting on the art and culture of sweetgrass basket making. She will explain the process, materials and engage the audience with personal stories and a basket making demonstration.
Church Street Tour 3.29.23
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Often called “the most romantic street in America,” Church Street is a visible record of Charleston’s history. Colonial and Georgian period dwellings stand beside charming gardens and historic churches. Browse from one location to another on your self-guided tour and enjoy the walk along the way on the Church Street House and Garden Tour. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Morning History Walks 3.30.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Architectural Splendor Tour 3.30.23
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Magnificent architectural treasures and their incredible decorative arts and furnishings collections will be interpreted by leading local experts during this once-in-a-lifetime tour. Guests will gather in small intimate groups to visit four select properties south of Broad Street in the Old and Historic Districts.
Legare Street Tour 3.30.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the Legare (luh-gree) Street House and Garden Tour. Browse from one location to another on your self-guided tour. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Festival Music Series: Southern Flavor Bluegrass Band 3.30.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Southern Flavor has been pickin’ their way across Charleston’s music scene for over 20 years. Their style combines rock with modern and traditional bluegrass music. Join as we learn more about the roots of bluegrass with these special local musicians while enjoying a lively show by these bluegrass favorites!
Morning History Walks 3.31.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – Natural Disasters in the Lowcountry 3.31.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Charleston is a buoyant city that has weathered hurricanes, flooding, fires, war, earthquakes, and even tornadoes. “Charleston Disasters” is an illustrated lecture that will dive into some of the most memorable events in the city’s history, offering lessons from the past for architectural resiliency in the future.
Glorious Gardens 3.31.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Do you love a blooming garden and the unique style of Charleston’s landscapes and gardens? Take a specially curated tour focusing on the gorgeous (and blooming) gardens in Charleston’s most historic and charming neighborhoods.
Morning Photography Walkabout 4.1.23
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Discover Charleston through your camera (or phone) lens! Historic Charleston Foundation’s staff photographer will share tips, tricks and techniques valuable to anyone wishing to capture Charleston’s charm from beginner to expert, as she escorts the group through Charleston’s most “insta-worthy” scenes.
Morning History Walks 4.1.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Church Street Tour 4.1.23
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Often called “the most romantic street in America,” Church Street is a visible record of Charleston’s history. Colonial and Georgian period dwellings stand beside charming gardens and historic churches. Browse from one location to another on your self-guided tour and enjoy the walk along the way on the Church Street House and Garden Tour. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Rosé and Roses in the Garden 4.1.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Wine your way through the stunning garden of Nathaniel Russell House Museum, ca.1808, located in the heart of historic Charleston. Enjoy light bites, wine (white and rosé), and the sweet sounds of live strings as you sip and stroll the glorious garden, and explore this restored Historic House Museum.
Legare Street Tour 4.2.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the Legare (luh-gree) Street House and Garden Tour. Browse from one location to another on your self-guided tour. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Morning History Walks 4.3.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – Behind the Gates: Beloved Gardens of Charleston 4.3.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Join acclaimed local landscape architect Glen Gardner for a look at some of his favorite Charleston gardens past and present. Find out the secrets to creating some of Charleston’s most enchanting garden-scapes. Glen Gardner is a native South Carolinian with deep family roots in gardening in the Lowcountry.
Macrame Plant Hanging Workshop 4.3.23
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Join Aliza from Rosie the Wanderer to learn how to tie basic macrame knots to make your own macrame plant hanger. In this 2 hour class you will learn many fun knot patterns and designs. By the end of the class, you will know the basics so that you can take the skills home and make some fun handmade.
Morning History Walks 4.4.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Calligraphy Workshop 4.4.23
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Learn the basics of the beautiful and romantic art of calligraphy with Cacky Bastian of Love Letter Gray, Charleston’s favorite wedding calligrapher. This lost art will take you back in time exploring the principles of pen and ink.
Container Gardening Demonstration 4.4.23
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
The garden experts at Meeting Green Gardens share insider tips and local tricks while demonstrating how to create stunning seasonal garden masterpieces for your own home. Demonstrations will be held in the gardens of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum.
Wine Tasting: Sips & Sommeliers 4.4.23
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Explore a curated wine tasting prepared by expert sommeliers from one of Charleston’s favorite wine shops, Wine & Co., while overlooking the Charleston Harbor. Light bites will be available for pairing.
Morning History Walks 4.5.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – Finding the Sweet Spot: Baseball in Charleston 4.5.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
People have been playing baseball in Charleston since the game migrated south during the Civil War. The sport is something many people feel tied to in a personal way, but it also often supports and reflects cultural and social aspects of our nation’s history. Heather Rivet, Nathaniel Russell House Manager, brings her experience from the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum and explores the legacy of the America’s Pastime in the Lowcountry.
Sunset Harbor History Boat Tour 4.5.23
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Y’all aboard” the Carolina Queen for a panoramic perspective of the South’s most storied seaport. Published historian and the Foundation’s Manager of Education and Programming, Carin Bloom will provide colorful commentary of the area’s rich maritime history pre-dating the Revolutionary War while you enjoy stunning sunset views of Charleston’s architecture. This exclusive, premiere Festival Harbor Tour includes light bites, soft drinks, one drink ticket and cash bar.
Morning History Walks 4.6.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Festival Music Series: Jonathan Kammer Jazz Project 4.6.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Join the Jonathan Kammer Jazz Project for an uplifting jazz session. With multi-instrumentalist Jonathan at the helm, this quartet will lead you through an uplifting repertoire and touch on the history of jazz in Charleston, often argued as the real birthplace of jazz.
Morning History Walks 4.7.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture - The Beauty of Traditional Wood Carving 4.7.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
European trained woodcarver, Mary May, will discuss the art of hand wood carving in a modern, machine-oriented world, her own wood carving journey, and the future of this unique art.
Morning Photography Walkabout 4.8.23
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Discover Charleston through your camera (or phone) lens! Historic Charleston Foundation’s staff photographer will share tips, tricks and techniques valuable to anyone wishing to capture Charleston’s charm from beginner to expert, as she escorts the group through Charleston’s most “insta-worthy” scenes.
Morning History Walks 4.8.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Morning History Walks 4.10.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture - Romancing the Researcher 4.10.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Charleston has long been a destination for lovers of dramatic scenery and moving romance. To draw in Lowcountry readers, authors must not only create engaging characters but also describe architectural and landscape settings in such a way that readers long to visit. Join Sarah Ferguson, Archivist and Librarian for Historic Charleston Foundation, for a talk about resources authors can access to create their literary Lowcountry.
Morning History Walks 4.11.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Calligraphy Workshop 4.11.23
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Learn the basics of the beautiful and romantic art of calligraphy with Cacky Bastian of Love Letter Gray, Charleston’s favorite wedding calligrapher. This lost art will take you back in time exploring the principles of pen and ink.
Container Gardening Demonstration 4.11.23
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
The garden experts at Meeting Green Gardens share insider tips and local tricks while demonstrating how to create stunning seasonal garden masterpieces for your own home. Demonstrations will be held in the gardens of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum.
Tradd Street Tour 4.11.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the Tradd Street House and Garden Tour – one of the most photographed and beautiful streets in Charleston, this street and neighborhood is home to a fascinating collection of early 18th-century houses. Browse from one location to another on your self-guided tour. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket. Tickets on sale November 1.
Wine Tasting: Sips & Sommeliers 4.11.23
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Explore a curated wine tasting prepared by expert sommeliers from one of Charleston’s favorite wine shops, Wine & Co., while overlooking the Charleston Harbor. Light bites will be available for pairing.
Morning History Walks 4.12.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – In Her Own Hands: Lucy Banbury’s Revolutionary Escape from Slavery to Freedom Lecture 4.12.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Freedom seeker Lucy Banbury had a trying and eventful life that took her on a journey of thousands of miles. Carin Bloom, Historic Charleston Foundation Education and Program Manager, will recount the few known details of her harrowing escape from enslavement in South Carolina, her allegiance to the British Army as a Black Loyalist during the American Revolution, and her eventual freedom in Nova Scotia, Canada and beyond.
Anson Street Tour 4.12.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the Anson Street House and Garden Tour – a street and neighborhood close to Historic Charleston Foundation’s mission and a big part of the Foundation’s history. Browse from one location to another at your leisure and enjoy the walk along the way. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Morning History Walks 4.13.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Garden Splendor: Tour of Showcase Gardens 4.13.23
10 am - 12 pm
Passionate gardeners will savor four spectacular gardens in Charleston’s famed historic district. Enthusiasts will gather in small, intimate groups to learn the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of designing and maintaining a select group of Charleston’s most celebrated gardens with expert guides.
Tradd Street Tour 4.13.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the Tradd Street House and Garden Tour – one of the most photographed and beautiful streets in Charleston, this street and neighborhood is home to a fascinating collection of early 18th-century houses. Browse from one location to another on your self-guided tour. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket. Tickets on sale November 1.
Festival Music Series: Plantation Singers 4.13.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The Plantation Singers, one of the Southeast’s most acclaimed a cappella groups are back by popular demand. Clap your hands and feel the spirit during their energetic performances of Gullah spirituals. In addition, learn more about the rich Gullah culture throughout segments of their performance.
Morning History Walks 4.14.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Luncheon Lecture – The Archaeology of Charleston Gunsmithing 4.14.23
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Sarah Platt Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology, will be discussing the archaeology of gunsmithing at what is now the Heyward-Washington House. Prior to the construction of the standing house in 1771, the townlot was home to two generations of a white gunsmithing family called the Milners and their enslaved. John Milner Sr. and Jr. served as public armorers to the colonial government in Charleston, and three skilled enslaved artisans- a gunsmith, blacksmith, and carpenter formed the backbone of labor for the operation.
Glorious Gardens 4.14.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Do you love a blooming garden and the unique style of Charleston’s landscapes and gardens? Take a specially curated tour focusing on the gorgeous (and blooming) gardens in Charleston’s most historic and charming neighborhoods.
Cocktail Bandits Workshop 4.14.23
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Join Taneka and Johnny, Charleston’s beloved Cocktail Bandits, for a very special tequila and rum based cocktail workshop. Learn about the origins of rum in Charleston’s oldest ports.
Morning History Walks 4.15.23
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Led by Charleston’s most experienced certified guides, these two-hour walking tours of the Old & Historic District provide the perfect background for the afternoon or evening house and garden tours. Private sites and interiors are not included on these tours.
Anson Street Tour 4.15.23
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us for the Anson Street House and Garden Tour – a street and neighborhood close to Historic Charleston Foundation’s mission and a big part of the Foundation’s history. Browse from one location to another at your leisure and enjoy the walk along the way. House and Garden locations will be listed in the Festival Program, available with each purchased ticket.
Rosé and Roses in the Garden 4.15.23
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Wine your way through the stunning garden of Nathaniel Russell House Museum, ca.1808, located in the heart of historic Charleston. Enjoy light bites, wine (white and rosé), and the sweet sounds of live strings as you sip and stroll the glorious garden, and explore this restored Historic House Museum.
Festival Finale: Mimosas at the Museum 4.16.23
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Let’s brunch, y’all. Keep those weekend vibes flowing with a show stopping assortment of Southern specialty food stations to make all of your brunch dreams come true. In addition, guests will enjoy bottomless mimosas, a coffee bar, and live music.
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