HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

PO BOX 1120, CHARLESTON, SC 29402-1120

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

WINSLOW HASTIE, PO BOX 1120, CHARLESTON, SC 29402

Signed the 990

GABRIELLE MEUNIER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Phone

(843) 723-1623

Website

WWW.HISTORICCHARLESTON.ORG

Return prepared by

ELLIOTT DAVIS ADVISORY LLC

Mission

THE MISSION OF HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION IS TO ADVOCATE FOR A FUTURE FOR CHARLESTON THAT HONORS AND PROTECTS ITS PEOPLE, PLACES, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY.

Program accomplishments

• PRESERVATION SERVICES - HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION (HCF) IS ONE OF THE NATION'S OLDEST AND MOST RESPECTED HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. FOUNDED IN 1947 BY A GROUP OF CONCERNED LOCAL CITIZENS, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES ITS VITAL ROLE IN MANAGING GROWTH IN CHARLESTON AND PRESERVING THE CITY'S HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND NEIGHBORHOODS. HCF IS CURRENTLY ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE PRESERVATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.THE FOUNDATION CREATED THE NATION'S FIRST REVOLVING FUND FOR NEIGHBORHOODS, SAVING AND PROTECTING OVER 140 HISTORIC STRUCTURES, AND STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF REVITALIZING ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS RATHER THAN JUST INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS. HCF CREDITS ITS ANSONBOROUGH PROJECT WITH INSPIRING COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE NATION. THROUGH THE REVOLVING FUND, HCF PURCHASED A HISTORIC GAS STATION AT 80 ASHLEY AVENUE THAT WAS AT RISK OF DEMOLITION BY NEGLECT. AFTER EMBARKING ON A SIGNIFICANT MASONRY RESTORATION PROJECT THAT STABILIZED THE STRUCTURE, HCF LISTED THE PROPERTY FOR SALE. WITH RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS IN PLACE, HCF IS LOOKING FOR PRESERVATION-MINDED BUYERS TO REVITALIZE THIS HISTORIC COMMERCIAL BUILDING.THE FOUNDATION'S NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE IS AN ARM OF THE REVOLVING FUND. ESTABLISHED IN 1995, THE GOAL IS TO BE A CATALYST FOR THE PRESERVATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS BY CREATING COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACES AND REHABILITATING DETERIORATED HISTORIC PROPERTIES, WHILE ALSO PREVENTING DISPLACEMENT OF LONG-TERM RESIDENTS. IN 2014, HCF PROVIDED FUNDING TO ESTABLISH THE ROMNEY URBAN GARDEN, A JOINT PROJECT WITH NEW ISRAEL REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH WHICH OWNED AN ABANDONED LOT IN THE NORTH CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOOD. THE COMMUNITY GARDEN CONTINUES TO FLOURISH AS THE SITE OF COMMUNITY EVENTS TO INCLUDE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, POETRY READINGS AND PIZZA PARTIES, WITH PIZZA AND PIES MADE IN THE GARDEN'S OVEN. THE COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE CONCEPT HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THAT HCF EXPANDED THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE WORKING WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO ESTABLISH A BOOK NOOK READING AREA AND POLLINATOR GARDEN IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD. THE FOUNDATION'S COMMON CAUSE LOAN FUND IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HCF AND THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY NON-PROFIT, THE CHARLESTON REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. THE COMMON CAUSE LOAN FUND PROVIDES LOANS OF UP TO $60,000 FOR EXTERIOR REPAIRS TO HISTORIC HOUSES FOR INCOME QUALIFIED HOMEOWNERS. THESE LEGACY HOMEOWNERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF CHARLESTON AND THESE NEEDED REPAIRS HELP FAMILIES TO RETAIN OWNERSHIP OF THEIR HOMES. POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS ARE BELOW THE 80% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME THRESHOLD. IN 2024, HCF APPROVED THREE REPAIR PROJECTS UNDER THE COMMON CAUSE LOAN FUND AND PARTNERED WITH CITY OF CHARLESTON ON APPLICATIONS FOR THREE ADDITIONAL LARGER AND MORE COMPLEX PROJECTS. HCF IS ALSO KNOWN AS AN INNOVATOR IN HISTORIC EASEMENT AND COVENANT PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION HOLDS APPROXIMATELY 380 EASEMENTS AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS, WHICH PROTECT HISTORIC BUILDINGS IN THE CITY AND OUTLYING AREAS AS WELL AS OVER TWO THOUSAND ACRES OF OPEN LAND OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE. PROPERTIES PROTECTED BY EASEMENTS AND COVENANTS HELD BY HCF ARE AS DIVERSE AS THE MAGNIFICENT C.1772 WILLIAM GIBBES HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON TO THE C.1939 AULDBRASS NEAR BEAUFORT, SC, THE ONLY PLANTATION DESIGNED BY FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT. THROUGH ITS EASEMENTS MANAGER, THE FOUNDATION PERFORMS ANNUAL INSPECTIONS AND PROVIDES TECHNICAL OUTREACH TO ALL OUR EASEMENT AND COVENANT PROPERTY OWNERS, HELPING WITH APPROPRIATE CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES FOR ISSUES RANGING FROM BRICK RE-POINTING TO WINDOW RESTORATION TO THE CLEANING OF ARCHITECTURAL STONE. THE FOUNDATION ACTIVELY ADVOCATES AND CONTINUALLY MONITORS ISSUES OF PRESERVATION, URBAN PLANNING, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, LIVABILITY, AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY OF CHARLESTON AND IS A STAUNCH DEFENDER OF THE PUBLIC PROCESS. THE PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT MAKES SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND PROVIDES INPUT AT COUNTY AND CITY COUNCIL, ZONING, PLANNING, AND DESIGN REVIEW HEARINGS. STAFF ALSO MEET REGULARLY WITH PROPERTY OWNERS, DEVELOPERS, AND ARCHITECTS TO REVIEW THEIR PROPOSED PROJECTS. SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDE RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES, NATIONAL REGISTER NOMINATIONS, AND ASSISTING THE CITY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUND PUBLIC POLICIES. RESPONDING TO THE SIGNIFICANT DEMOGRAPHIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC CHANGES IN CHARLESTON OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, HCF CONSTANTLY WORKS WITH THE CITY TO RE-ALIGN OUR LAND USE PLANNING PRACTICES TO ADDRESS THESE CHANGES. IN 2024, HCF ACTIVELY WORKED WITH THE CITY, DEVELOPERS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE UNION PIER TERMINAL, A HISTORICALLY AND GEOGRAPHICALLY SIGNIFICANT AND IMPORTANT PARCEL OF OVER SIXTY-FIVE ACRES IN DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON ADJACENT TO TWO HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS. THROUGH OUR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, HCF IS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR DEVELOPMENT ON UNION PIER THAT REFLECTS HISTORIC CHARLESTON'S DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS, CENTERED AROUND AN ACCESSIBLE AND VIBRANT PUBLIC REALM.AS PART OF THE OUTREACH TO PROTECT HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES ITS PROACTIVE EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES. WITH SUPPORT FROM HCF AND OTHER PARTNERS, SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE MOUNTED GRASSROOTS PRESERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE THEIR COMMUNITIES. AS A RESULT, CHARLESTON COUNTY NOW FORMALLY RECOGNIZES FOUR HISTORIC DISTRICTS: TEN MILE, PHILLIPS COMMUNITY, BEEFIELD COMMUNITY, AND HAMLIN. THE OFFICIAL DESIGNATION PROTECTS THESE COMMUNITIES FROM OVER-DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE OVERSIGHT OF THE CHARLESTON COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (HPC)ENSURING THAT CHANGES TO THE COMMUNITY DEMONSTRATE "CONSISTENCY WITH THE PREVAILING PATTERNS OF EXISTING LOTS, DENSITIES, SPACING OF HOMES, LOT SIZES AND SHAPES, AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT THAT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION DEEMS APPLICABLE." THE FOUNDATION HAS WORKED FOR YEARS TO PROTECT THE HISTORIC SOL LEGARE COMMUNITY AND THE ICONIC PINE TREE HOTEL. CONSTRUCTED IN 1962, THE PINE TREE HOTEL PROVIDED BLACK TOURISTS WITH ACCOMMODATION WHILE THEY ENJOYED THE MUSIC, FOOD, AND RECREATION AT MOSQUITO BEACH. "SKEETA BEACH" WAS A PLACE WHERE AFRICAN AMERICANS COULD GATHER AND ENJOY THE SOUTH CAROLINA COAST, AS POPULAR BEACH DESTINATIONS AT THE TIME WERE RACIALLY SEGREGATED DURING THE JIM CROW ERA IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH. IN 2024, HCF WORKED WITH THE NEWLY FORMED HISTORICAL MOSQUITO BEACH FOUNDATION TO SECURE FUNDING TO COMPLETE THE RESTORATION OF THE PINE TREE HOTEL AND THE ADJACENT SKEETA BEACH LOUNGE WHICH WILL HELP TO SECURE THIS OFF THE BEATEN PATH HISTORIC DISTRICT AS A DESTINATION FOR PEOPLE TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN AUTHENTIC GULLAH-GEECHEE CULTURE AND FOODWAYS. THROUGH ITS NEW SAVING GRACE INITIATIVE, HCF AIMS TO SUPPORT CHARLESTON'S HISTORIC BLACK CHURCHES BY CONNECTING CONGREGATIONS WITH PRESERVATION EXPERTS AND RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN THEIR BUILDINGS AND ENSURE THEIR CONTINUED PRESENCE IN HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS. THESE CHURCHES HAVE PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN WORSHIP, CULTURAL IDENTITY, AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISM. THE INITIATIVE HAS SEEN STRONG INTEREST, HIGHLIGHTING THE SIGNIFICANT NEED FOR SUPPORT. HCF HAS PARTNERED WITH SEVERAL ENTHUSIASTIC COLLABORATORS DURING ITS PILOT PHASE ASSISTING ST. JOHN'S REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND NEW TABERNACLE FOURTH BAPTIST CHURCH.IN 2024, HCF CHALLENGED THE DESIGN OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER THAT DIFFERED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM ITS APPROVED DESIGN, SPARKING CONCERN FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND HCF. STAFF SUBMITTED AN INQUIRY TO THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE (SHPO), WHICH CONFIRMED THE UNAUTHORIZED DESIGN CHANGES AND CONTACTED THE FCC. THE FCC AGREED THE TOWER CAUSED AN "ADVERSE EFFECT" ON THE HISTORIC SKYLINE AND INITIATED AN UNPRECEDENTED AFTER-THE-FACT MITIGATION PROCESS. HCF HAS FORMALLY REQUESTED THE TOWER BE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH THE ORIGINALLY APPROVED "STEALTH" DESIGN. THE SITUATION IS ONGOING, AND HCF EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF STRONG PRESERVATION ADVOCACY AS THE PROCESS UNFOLDS.HCF SEEKS TO PROTECT CHARLESTON'S ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL, AND CULTURAL INTEGRITY THROUGH SCHOLARLY RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION. THE MARGARETTA CHILDS ARCHIVES INCLUDE HISTORIC BUILDING DOCUMENTATION, PHOTOS, DRAWINGS, AND OTHER MATERIALS THAT ARE USEFUL TO THOSE RESEARCHING PROPERTIES THROUGHOUT CHARLESTON. THE ONLINE CATALOGUE CONTAINS RECORDS FOR 2,329 BOOKS IN THE FOUNDATION'S LIBRARY AND 7,202 ITEMS FROM THE ARCHIVES, MAKING THE FOUNDATION'S ARCHIVES AND LIBRARY EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.
  Expenses $3,502,967 · revenue $1,774,876
• PUBLIC PROGRAMS - AS PART OF HCF'S MISSION TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION, THE FOUNDATION HOLDS ITS ANNUAL CHARLESTON FESTIVAL (FORMERLY THE FESTIVAL OF HOUSES AND GARDENS). EACH MARCH AND APRIL THE MONTHLONG FESTIVAL ALLOWS VISITORS TO LEARN ABOUT AND VISIT THE CITY'S FINEST HISTORIC PRIVATE HOUSES AND GARDENS, AS WELL AS ATTEND WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, EDUCATIONAL CONCERTS, AND OTHER CULTURAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS, MORNING HISTORY WALKS, AS WELL AS SPECIALTY TOURS EDUCATING GUESTS ABOUT THE HISTORY, PRESERVATION, AND ADVOCACY ISSUES AROUND THE CITY. FOR 2024, THE FOUNDATION WAS ABLE TO HOST OVER 5,000 GUESTS AT ONE HUNDRED INDIVIDUAL EVENTS AND ENABLED ACCESS TO SEVENTY-FIVE PRIVATE HISTORIC HOMES AND GARDENS TO BETTER HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS OF PRESERVED SPACES. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED ITS ADULT EDUCATION IN THE ART & ARCHITECTURE STUDY SERIES FOR 2023-2024, THE THIRTEENTH YEAR OF PROVIDING PARTICIPANTS WITH IN-DEPTH STUDIES OF CHARLESTON'S CULTURAL HERITAGE. THIS YEAR'S SERIES OF PROGRAMS INCLUDED A DISCUSSION ON DESIGNING NEW BUILDINGS IN THE CITY'S URBAN CORE THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL, HUMANE, AND GENEROUS IN DETAILING AS WELL AS AN EXPERT LECTURE ABOUT COLLECTING TRENDS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE CULTURE AND HISTORY OF CHARLESTON TODAY.THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO EMPHASIZE ITS CURRICULUM-BASED FIELD TRIP OPPORTUNITIES. WITH CONTINUED LOGISTICAL AND BUDGETARY ISSUES, STUDENT VISITATION FROM LOCAL AND REGIONAL SCHOOLS WAS SEVERELY OBSTRUCTED, BUT HCF CONTINUES TO HOST AN INCREASING NUMBER OF BOTH ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, WITH AN ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS ON HOSTING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE LEVEL STUDENTS IN THE FIELD OF HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURAL PRESERVATION, HIGHLIGHTING BOTH MUSEUM HOUSES AS LIVING LABORATORIES. WE ARE FOCUSING ON REIMAGINING OUR EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM AND CONDUCTING ENHANCED FIELD TRIPS IN 2025 WITH PLANS FOR CONTINUED GROWTH.HCF ALSO HOSTED PUBLIC PROGRAMS IN 2024, SPECIFICALLY AN EXCELLENCE IN WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT FORUM WHICH EXPLORED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNION PIER SITE. THE DISCUSSION ENCOMPASSED VISIONARY AND ASPIRATIONAL NEEDS OF WATERFRONT ACCESS WITH MEMORABLE PARKS, GENEROUS CIVIC SPACES, PROPERLY SCALED BLOCKS, AND BUILDINGS THAT REFLECT CHARLESTON'S HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS, INTEGRATED RESILIENCY MEASURES, AND AN AUTHENTIC MIX OF USES THAT WILL MAKE IT A VIBRANT DISTRICT FOR ALL RESIDENTS. THIS IS A FURTHER EXAMPLE OF THE FOUNDATIONS ROLE AS A PROMINENT CONVENER OF VOICES AND EFFORTS IN THE PRESERVATION OF THE CHARLESTON REGION.
• MUSEUMS - HCF FULFILLS ITS EDUCATIONAL MISSION THROUGH THE INTERPRETATION OF ITS COLLECTIONS AND TWO OUTSTANDING MUSEUM HOUSES: THE NATHANIEL RUSSELL HOUSE, C. 1808, AT 51 MEETING STREET, ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST SIGNIFICANT NEOCLASSICAL FEDERAL TOWNHOUSES; AND THE AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE, C. 1820, AT 48 ELIZABETH STREET, WHERE VISITORS CAN STEP BACK IN TIME TO BETTER UNDERSTAND LIFE IN ANTEBELLUM CHARLESTON. HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION PURCHASED THE NATHANIEL RUSSELL HOUSE, C. 1808, A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, IN 1955. VISITORS CONTINUE TO ADMIRE THE GRAND FEDERAL-STYLE TOWNHOUSE OF PROMINENT MERCHANT, NATHANIEL RUSSELL. COMPLETED IN 1808 WHEN RUSSELL WAS 70 YEARS OLD, THE LAVISHLY ORNAMENTED HOUSE SERVES AS A TESTAMENT TO THE GREAT WEALTH HE ACCUMULATED OVER HIS DISTINGUISHED LIFETIME. THEN, AS NOW, THE NATHANIEL RUSSELL HOUSE IS AMONG THE FINEST DWELLINGS IN CHARLESTON. THE HOUSE ALSO STANDS IN CONTRAST TO OTHER CONTEMPORARY CHARLESTON RESIDENCES WITH A UNIQUE GEOMETRIC FLOOR PLAN AND FINE ARCHITECTURAL DETAILING. THE INTERIOR BOASTS A SPACIOUS RECEPTION ROOM WITH INTRICATE GLAZED DOORS, AN ELEGANT FREE-FLYING STAIRCASE, AND ELABORATE TROMPE-L'OEIL DECORATION FROM THE FIRST TO THE THIRD FLOORS. PAINSTAKINGLY RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL 1808 APPEARANCE, THE RUSSELL HOUSE ALSO SERVES AS THE IDEAL EXHIBITION SPACE FOR HCF'S OUTSTANDING COLLECTION OF FINE AND DECORATIVE ARTS. IN A COMMITMENT TO TELL THE STORIES OF EVERYONE WHO LIVED AND LABORED ON THE PROPERTIES OF THE FOUNDATION'S TWO HOUSE MUSEUMS, THE APP-BASED AUDIO GUIDES INTERPRET THE HISTORIES OF THE HOUSES, ARCHITECTURE AND MUSEUM OBJECTS AND DISCUSS THE LIVES OF THE WHITE FAMILIES WHO OWNED THE PROPERTIES AS WELL AS THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE. COMMENTARY FROM LOCAL EXPERTS SUPPLEMENT THE AUDIO GUIDE, RANGING FROM A DISCUSSION OF THE HARSH REALITIES OF ENSLAVED LIFE TO ENTERTAINING IN THE ANTEBELLUM PERIOD TO COLONIAL PAINTING TECHNIQUES. THE APP ALSO FEATURES A WALKING GUIDE TO CHARLESTON'S WELL-KNOWN HISTORIC SITES WITH OVER THREE HUNDRED POINTS OF INTEREST AND THIRTY AUDIO STOPS. UNDERREPRESENTED NARRATIVES INCLUDE THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE THE GRIMKE SISTERS PLAYED IN THE ABOLITIONIST MOVEMENT, OR THE ROLE OF THE FREEDMAN'S COTTAGE IN POST-CIVIL WAR CHARLESTON.THE AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE, C. 1820, WAS BUILT BY JOHN ROBINSON AND EXPANDED BY GOVERNOR AND MRS. WILLIAM AIKEN JR. IN THE 1830S. THE PROPERTY, WHICH REMAINED IN THE FAMILY UNTIL 1975, HAS SURVIVED AS A UNIQUE TIME CAPSULE, NEARLY UNALTERED SINCE 1858. THE MUSEUM HOUSE'S ORIGINAL DEPENDENCIES INCLUDE THE KITCHEN, SLAVES' QUARTERS, STABLE, COACH HOUSE, AND PRIVIES. TOGETHER WITH THE MAIN HOUSE, THESE STRUCTURES COMBINE TO FORM A RARE AND UNIQUE 19TH CENTURY URBAN COMPLEX. THE BUILDINGS AND THE ARTIFACTS WITHIN THEM POIGNANTLY ILLUSTRATE THE CONNECTIONS AMONG ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD, THOSE WHO LIVED IN THE MAIN HOUSE AS WELL AS THOSE WHO LIVED AND WORKED AS ENSLAVED AFRICAN AMERICANS ON THE PROPERTY. THE HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION HAS ADOPTED A UNIQUE APPROACH TO STEWARDSHIP OF THE HOUSE. THANKS IN GREAT PART TO A PRESTIGIOUS SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES GRANT, HCF HAS RESTORED AND THUS PROTECTED THE BUILDING'S EXTERIOR TO ITS 1858-1860 APPEARANCE. THE PRESERVATION PLAN FOR THE ORIGINAL HISTORIC INTERIOR IS STABILIZATION AND CONSERVATION. THIS RARE APPROACH ENABLES THE INTERPRETATION OF THE HOUSE'S CONTINUED HABITATION AND ITS CHANGES OVER TIME AS MODERN TECHNOLOGIES, SUCH AS GAS LIGHTING AND ELECTRICITY, WERE ADOPTED. THE PERIOD FINISHES, SUCH AS ORIGINAL 19TH CENTURY WALLPAPERS, MAKE THE AIKEN-RHETT SITE ONE OF THE NATION'S MOST IMPORTANT HOUSE MUSEUMS, AND THE INTACT DECORATIVE LAYERS HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND NINETEENTH-CENTURY CONCEPTIONS OF REFINEMENT, PATTERNS OF CONSUMPTION, AND DECORATIVE PREFERENCES IN THE CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY.UNLIKE OTHER HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUMS, ALL OBJECTS ON DISPLAY ARE ORIGINAL TO THE HOUSE, PURCHASED BY GOV. AIKEN AND HIS WIFE, HARRIET LOWNDES AIKEN. DURING THEIR RESIDENCY, THE HOUSE WENT THROUGH SEVERAL DECORATIVE PERIODS AS THE COUPLE KEPT CURRENT WITH THE LATEST FASHIONS. WHILE MOST OF THE FURNISHINGS IN THE HOUSE WERE IN THE PLAIN GRECIAN STYLE, GOTHIC-INSPIRED AND ROCOCO REVIVAL OBJECTS WERE ACQUIRED FOR THEIR COLLECTION OVER TIME. LINKING THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR, IT IS NO COINCIDENCE THAT THESE ITEMS CLOSELY RELATE TO THE GOTHIC ELEMENTS FOUND IN THE OUTBUILDINGS.2024 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MUSEUMS INCLUDE RECOVERING MORE THAN 5,000 ARTIFACTS FROM ARCHEOLOGY AT THE NATHANIEL RUSSELL KITCHEN HOUSE CELLAR, INCLUDING A RARE CARNELIAN BEAD BROUGHT TO CHARLESTON BY ENSLAVED PEOPLE FROM AFRICA. THE AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE HOSTED OVER FOUR HUNDRED GUESTS ON FAMILY DAY, BROADENING OUR EDUCATIONAL IMPACT AMONG PRESERVATION ENTHUSIASTS, FAMILIES, AND VISITORS. DURING THE CHARLESTON FESTIVAL, CONTEMPORARY ART INSTALLATIONS AT THE AIKEN-RHETT HOUSE WITH RENOWNED CHARLESTON-BASED ARTISTS, JILL HOOPER, AND DAVID BOATWRIGHT, ENGAGED HUNDREDS OF NEW VISITORS AT THE HOUSE MUSEUM.
• LICENSED PRODUCTS - HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION BEGAN ITS LICENSED PRODUCTS PROGRAM IN 1972 AS AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO EXTEND THE FOUNDATION'S PRESERVATION EFFORTS BEYOND HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIORS TO CHARLESTON'S MATERIAL CULTURE AS WELL. ITEMS SELECTED FOR INCLUSION ARE THOSE WHOSE ORIGINS REFLECT CHARLESTON'S HISTORY, CULTURE, DECORATIVE ARTS, AND ARCHITECTURE.THE LICENSED PRODUCTS OF THE HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION PREVIOUSLY RANGED FROM FURNITURE, MIRRORS, JEWELRY, PORCELAIN, DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES, AND HISTORIC PAINT COLORS. MANY OF THE ORIGINAL OBJECTS, EITHER REPRODUCED OR USED AS INSPIRATION, CAN BE SEEN IN THE HISTORIC HOUSE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS AND OTHER MUSEUM COLLECTIONS IN CHARLESTON. WHILE CURRENTLY A MUCH SMALLER PROGRAM THAN IN YEARS PAST, THE PROGRAM IS ENJOYING RENEWED FOCUS AND STRIVES TO KEEP CHARLESTON HISTORIC DESIGNS ALIVE AND MAKE THOSE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE TO A BROAD AUDIENCE WHILE GENERATING REVENUE TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION.

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

57-6000599

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

1949

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Assets (IRS master file)

$34,726,932

Income (IRS master file)

$6,172,027

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 57-6000599).

Questions about HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION

What is the EIN of HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION?

The employer identification number (EIN) of HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION is 57-6000599.

Is HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1949.

Are donations to HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.

Who is the principal officer of HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names WINSLOW HASTIE.

Who are the officers and directors of HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 31 people; 4 received compensation from the organization, the highest $164,860 (WINSLOW W HASTIE, PRESIDENT/CEO).

How much revenue does HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $4,819,653, expenses of $4,651,920 and total assets of $34,726,932 at year end.

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