At the storied corner of Church and Tradd Streets stands one of Charleston’s most extraordinary private residences, an impeccably preserved 17th-century home dated to 1697 by noted historian Louis Green. This rare corner property offers an increasingly elusive combination of off-street parking, a walled garden, no flood insurance requirement, no easements, a basement, attic, Tesla charger, and a private elevator, all wrapped in historic charm.
Designated “NOTABLE” in This Is Charleston, the seminal 1944 survey of the city’s most important buildings, the home is woven deeply into Charleston’s artistic legacy. From 1708–1729 it was the residence and studio of Henrietta Johnston, the first professional female artist in America. Over the centuries, it has continued to inspire, housing renowned artists of the Charleston Renaissance and beyond, including Anna Heyward Taylor, Elizabeth O’Neill Verner, and most recently Mary Whyte, the internationally celebrated watercolorist.
Situated at the heart of Charleston’s most architecturally significant enclave—two blocks with the highest concentration of pre-Revolutionary homes in America—the house exemplifies early construction techniques, with historic stucco over brick, just as it was built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Inside, the room proportions and appointments are genteel 17th- and 18th-century. The living room is filled with light, featuring four large nine-over-nine windows, classic wainscoting, crown molding, a fireplace, and an atmosphere that is both refined and welcoming. Across the entry hall—where a powder room is tucked beneath the staircase—the dining room mirrors these finishes and also enjoys generous natural light, with French doors opening directly to the side parking area.
Beyond, the French Country kitchen, thoughtfully added in 2016, opens onto a deep and enchanting walled garden, creating a seamless connection between interior living and outdoor enjoyment.
The second and third floors each offer two well-proportioned bedrooms and a full bath, while the fourth-floor attic, accessible by stairs and elevator, features generous headroom and a dormer window, presenting an excellent opportunity for additional living space. A beautifully appointed gilded elevator services all floors, including the attic. Beneath the living room and entry hall lies a dry basement, accessed through a discreet hatch, ideal for a wine cellar.
To the north of the house, a private driveway accommodates two off-street parking spaces, with an iron gate providing a graceful transition between garden and drive. Inside the gate, the garden unfolds as a richly layered landscape framed by an ancient brick wall. A bricked patio with pergola offers a welcoming outdoor sitting area, while winding paths lead through lush plantings accented by Italian Cypress trees, azaleas, camellias, and hydrangeas. At the rear of the garden, an expansive brick terrace provides space for dining, grilling, and relaxed gatherings, an ideal setting for entertaining on any scale.
A rare offering of history, beauty, and livability, this remarkable residence is not simply a home, it is a living piece of Charleston’s cultural and architectural heritage.
