Heyward-Washington House

The Basics

Inside the Heyward-Washington House, you can touch the same banister as the country’s first president and explore rooms outfitted with Charleston-made antebellum decor, including a four-poster bed and ornate glass-paneled Holmes bookcase. Walk through the original 1740s kitchen, carriage house, slave quarters, and garden filled with traditional Lowcountry plants. Choose a house admission ticket or a combination ticket, which includes Charleston Museum or Joseph Manigault House. Many walking tours of historic Charleston stop outside the house.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Buy your tickets online ahead of time to skip the line at the entrance.

• Admission to the house museum includes a 30-minute guided tour and a self-guided tour of the house and garden.

• Tours of the historic house require the ability to climb stairs; the Charleston Museum offers photographic tours for those unable to do so.

How to Get There

The Heyward-Washington House is located on Church Street in the South of Broad neighborhood, a short walk from St. Michael’s Church, the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and Rainbow Row. The best way to arrive is on foot or by taking the bus to the stop at Broad and Church streets.

When to Get There

The Heyward-Washington House is open daily throughout the year, with reduced hours on Sunday. Plan to arrive first thing in the morning for the best chance of getting on a tour with fewer people.

The Charleston Museum

The Heyward-Washington House is operated by Charleston Museum, one of the country’s oldest museums. The museum also operates Joseph Manigault House, an antebellum home from 1803 originally owned by a wealthy rice plantation family. Visit the home to learn about life for those who lived and were enslaved there. Inside, you'll see a collection of American, English, and French period furniture from the early 19th century among other artifacts.