History Tour - Governor Thomas Bennett House

History tour of the Governor Thomas Bennett House, Charleston, SC   

One of the most active local facebook groups is a Charleston History group and I am fortunate to be a member even if I can't rhyme off generations of my lowcountry ancestors. Members of the group share photos and bits of history and figure out puzzles. It is fascinating. Last year we took a field trip to explore Daufuskie Island. This time I had something up my own sleeve to offer.

Roper Hospital owns and manages one of the most beautiful homes in Charleston. The Governor Thomas Bennett House is across the street from the hospital and stays solidly booked as an event and wedding location. The garden is as beautiful as the house. The hospital kindly agreed to open the house yesterday evening for a history tour of the property and we had such a lovely time. A few of our physicians joined us to share stories of years past (thank you Dr. Shapiro and Dr. Sanders!) and group members had their own memories to tell.

The building has incredible detailed wood work, chandeliers and marble fireplace mantels and almost everyone had a camera to capture structural details. Linda McCormick was a wonderful tour guide and even let us explore the attic floor.

The Governor Thomas Bennett House, circa 1825, is one of the most magnificent homes in Charleston, South Carolina. The home is of tremendous architectural importance, with exceptional ornamentation plasterwork. Of particular note is the free-flying staircase, which is only one of two in the entire city. The house has been handsomely restored, providing an elegant backdrop to events and parties. The gracious interior of the house is extended and enhanced by a spacious piazza overlooking the garden. The garden is one of the most beautiful traditional gardens in Charleston. With a large brick courtyard and fountain, it is the perfect setting for distinctive and elegant functions.

Of course we asked about ghosts - and then I found one!