Architecture, History & Gardens Tours Oct 8 – Nov 7

The historic beauty and charm of Charleston come alive as friends of the Preservation Society of Charleston welcome you to this year’s tour of Architecture, History & Gardens. Experience firsthand the rich history of Charleston’s culture and architecture on The Fall Tours.

Please note that extensive measures are being implemented to help ensure the safety of our homeowners, volunteers and guests.

• No interiors included
• Masks required
• Sanitation stations at each property
• Social distancing observed
• Daily capacity limited
• Only clear bags allowed

Piazzas, Porches, and Gardens Tours
These tours take you on informative and entertaining walks along private house piazzas and porches where docents delight and amuse you with tidbits of history and lore. Leaving the piazza, you are invited to pass through the garden gate and enjoy some of the finest enchanting private gardens in the historic district. No interiors are included.

Morning History Walks and Talks
Local City of Charleston licensed certified guides will lead these tours. Each tour will last approximately 2 to 2 ½ hours and require walking several blocks, often over uneven streets; flat shoes are recommended. Meet promptly at 10 AM in Washington Park at 80 Broad Street, at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets. No interiors are included.

Curated Garden Tours
These tours are for the garden enthusiast and will be led by professionals in the field of horticulture. Guests will visit several private gardens while hearing about subjects ranging from Charleston’s rich horticultural heritage to the latest gardening trends. Topics will include hardscape, plant selection, and ornamental accessories. These tours will positively delight your senses. No interiors are included.

Curated Hard Hat Tour
Join us for the rare opportunity to see first-hand a Charleston single house in the midst of a “house-raising.” Learn about the history and what led to the monumental decision to lift a 1,000,000 pound house eight feet in the air. We will compare it to a house along the Battery that is preparing for flood waters using more traditional methods.

Photography Walkabout and Workshop
On this walkabout, you will explore the heart of Charleston’s own French Quarter and then go south of Broad Street to photograph some of Charleston’s oldest and most picturesque streets and alleys. Photographer Richard Spencer will share compositional technique for taking outstanding images. Photographers of all levels are welcome.

Virtual Tours
Try one of the many virtual tours of private houses and gardens seldom open to the public. Take a virtual step inside a classic Charleston single house, a town house along Rainbow Row, or one of the many mechanics houses and dependencies in the city. Tours will include houses in the midst of a restoration and houses that have been meticulously restored and will be guided by professional preservationists, historians and architects as well.

Proceeds from The Fall Tours support the Society’s mission to preserve and respect the unique material and culture of Charleston.

For information and tickets click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: preservationsociety.org)