Clemson University TigerPrints All Theses Theses 5-2009 The oM vement of Architectural Elements within Charleston, South Carolina Laura Burghardt Clemson University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses Part of the Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons Recommended Citation Burghardt, Laura, "The oM vement of Architectural Elements within Charleston, South Carolina" (2009). All Theses. 596. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/596 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE MOVEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS WITHIN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA A Thesis Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University and the Graduate School of the College of Charleston In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science Historic Preservation by Laura Ashley Burghardt May 2009 Accepted by: Jonathan H. Poston, Committee Chair Ashley Robbins Wilson Ralph C. Muldrow Robert D. Russell, Jr., Ph.D. i ABSTRACT The movement of architectural elements from one building to another within Charleston, South Carolina, is an integral part of historic preservation in the city. From the earliest days of the city’s historic preservation movement in the 1920s, preservationists have understood the importance of preserving elements of historic structures. In the early twentieth century, architectural elements were threatened by antique dealers and collectors of architecture who sought to purchase decorative elements, even out of standing houses. Buildings were also threatened with demolition as gas stations and other modern structures were constructed. Rather than seeing pieces of history lost, preservationists salvaged materials and reused them in their own projects. Although historic preservation today focuses on the preservation of whole buildings, architectural elements from renovations and demolitions continue to be salvaged and reused. This thesis focuses on the history and moving forces behind the practice of moving architectural elements within Charleston, from the early twentieth century to the present. In addition, a selection of architectural elements moved from one building to another within the city has been individually documented. This collection was assembled through research in various repositories in Charleston, as well as communication with individuals involved in preservation and restoration work in Charleston. A list of the architectural elements in the Charleston Museum has also been included, representing the numerous architectural fragments that have been removed from historic structures and never reused. This thesis is intended to be used as a resource for research on individual ii moved elements, specific buildings, types of architectural elements, and people involved in the movement of elements. Even as each moved element represents a unique history and story of transfer, all of the moved elements are held together by the common theme of removal from a structure and reuse in another. Every moved architectural element holds a place in the history of historic preservation in Charleston and deserves individual documentation and study. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am incredibly grateful to all of the individuals who contributed to this thesis and supported me in my research. My advisor, Jonathan Poston, is so very knowledgeable in all things related to Charleston’s history, and his help in making contacts and finding examples of moved elements is much appreciated. I would like to extend my gratitude to all of the professionals who assisted me in my research, especially Karen Emmons at Historic Charleston Foundation and David Hoffman. The degree of detail within this thesis could not have been achieved without the information that these two individuals and others contributed from their own knowledge of Charleston. The continuous support of my classmates cannot go unrecognized. Their interest in my research and constant words of encouragement motivated me in the seemingly never-ending search for moved architectural elements. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TITLE PAGE .................................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. iv LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1 Introduction to the Project ....................................................................... 3 Introduction to the Practice ...................................................................... 3 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ........................................................................ 6 Existing Documentation for the Movement of Architectural Elements ....................................................................... 6 Transfers Involving Wealthy Collectors and Museums........................... 9 Transfers Involving Preservationists and Preservation Societies ........................................................................................... 18 Transfers Involving Individuals ............................................................. 20 III. ANTIQUE DEALERS, MUSEUMS, AND THE RESPONSE FROM PRESERVATIONISTS ............................................................. 24 Antique Dealers ..................................................................................... 25 Charleston Rooms Moved to Museums ................................................. 29 Susan Pringle Frost and the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings .................................................................................. 31 Restorations of Blighted Areas .............................................................. 34 IV. DEMOLITIONS AND SALVAGING ........................................................ 43 Charleston Building Demolitions .......................................................... 43 Preservationist Involvement in Salvaging ............................................. 49 The Demolition and Salvaging Business ............................................... 55 v Table of Contents (Continued) Page Building with Removed Architectural Elements ................................... 59 V. THE RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS ........................................................................................... 66 Ending the Trade in Museum Rooms .................................................... 66 The Increasing Value of Charleston’s Architecture ............................... 68 Clarifying the Preservation Stand on Moving Architectural Elements ..................................................................... 71 VI. MOVEMENT OF ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS AND INTERPRETATION OF MOVED ELEMENTS TODAY ................... 76 The Sale of Architectural Elements Today ............................................ 76 Local Contractors ................................................................................... 80 Interpretation of Moved Elements Today .............................................. 82 VII. MOVED ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS, NEVER REINSTALLED .................................................................................... 84 The Charleston Museum ........................................................................ 84 The Historic Charleston Foundation Warehouse ................................... 87 Private Collectors ................................................................................... 90 The Importance of Documentation and Preservation of Architectural Elements ..................................................................... 91 VIII. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 93 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................... 96 A: Survey of Moved Architectural Elements .................................................... 97 B: The Charleston Museum Collection of Architectural Elements ................ 239 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 251 INDEX ......................................................................................................................... 257 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1.1 Map of the United States with Charleston, SC, marked ................................ 1 1.2 Map of South Carolina with Charleston marked ........................................... 1 1.3 Map of downtown Charleston, South Carolina.............................................. 2 2.1 Demolition catalogue front page, 1747 ........................................................ 11 2.2 Residence of William Randolph Hearst in San Simeon, California ............ 13 2.3 Excerpt from the Hearst Sale catalogue, listing “Buildings and Parts” available for auction ............................................................. 14 2.4 The Chinese Parlor at Winterthur ...............................................................