Williams Mansion (fka Calhoun Mansion), Charleston

Williams Mansion (fka Calhoun Mansion), Charleston (must see)

This house museum stands out as one of Charleston's few grand Victorian-era palaces; a remarkable example of the Italianate style that gained popularity in America during the latter half of the 19th century. In Charleston's diverse architectural landscape, this style is somewhat rare, possibly because it emerged at a time when the city was still grappling with the economic aftermath of the Civil War. During the postwar Reconstruction period, there was limited construction of grand mansions in Charleston; however, George Walton Williams, a wholesale grocer and banker, was undeterred by the city's economic challenges. Unlike many wealthy Southerners, he had made substantial investments in England and the North before the war.

Upon its completion in 1876, the grand Charleston residence garnered extravagant praise in newspapers from New York, Atlanta, and Charleston, which all touted it as "the handsomest and most-complete home in the South, if not the country." To this day, it remains Charleston's largest privately owned home, with its 35 rooms, 24,000 square feet of living space, 23 fireplaces, a three-tiered piazza, Italian water gardens adorned with fountains, and a towering cupola that rises 90 feet above Charleston Harbor.

The name "Calhoun" is associated with the house because Williams's son-in-law, Patrick Calhoun (grandson of John C. Calhoun, known as "The Great Nullifier"), resided here until 1929, when he lost the house and his fortune in the stock market crash. Subsequent owners struggled to find a suitable use for the historic mansion, leading to its gradual decline and eventual condemnation in the 1970s. However, a young local attorney acquired the property and spent a considerable fortune and 25 years restoring its structural and artistic grandeur.

Today, the mansion showcases the extensive personal collection of the new owner, featuring English and American furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries, with a focus on Southern decorative arts. There's also an impressive collection of impressionist art, Chinese ceramics, and various art objects that seamlessly blend with the Victorian-era ambiance originally designed to create an impressive display. The mansion has gained national recognition, appearing in numerous magazines and serving as a set for the notable television miniseries "North and South". While photography is not permitted inside, visitors can enjoy a 35-minute tour that provides informative insights into the mansion's history and significance. The grounds also offer charming garden spaces adorned with statues and fountains.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Charleston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Williams Mansion (fka Calhoun Mansion) on Map

Sight Name: Williams Mansion (fka Calhoun Mansion)
Sight Location: Charleston, USA (See walking tours in Charleston)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Charleston, South Carolina

Create Your Own Walk in Charleston

Create Your Own Walk in Charleston

Creating your own self-guided walk in Charleston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Harleston Village Walking Tour

Harleston Village Walking Tour

Founded in the 18th century, the historic Harleston Village is a charming neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. The rich past and vibrant present of this area make it a popular destination for tourists.

At the heart of Harleston Village lies the College of Charleston, an esteemed institution of higher learning, established in 1770, adding a great deal of academic flair to the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Historical Houses Tour

Historical Houses Tour

Charleston is steeped in history. Walking the colorful, narrow cobblestone streets of one of America's oldest towns, with its stunningly preserved colonial homes, you can see its story play out before your eyes practically everywhere you turn. Indeed, Charleston is among the most celebrated places in the U.S. to explore fine examples of American architecture and its progression through time.
...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Downtown Historical Churches Tour

Downtown Historical Churches Tour

Charleston, South Carolina, is also sometimes called the “Holy City.” This is due to the large number of churches found here. Needless to say, the most fascinating of them are concentrated in the Downtown area, each with its unique charm and significance.

Among such temples of distinction is Saint Matthew's Church, an enduring symbol of Charleston's German Lutheran community. Its...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
French Quarter Walking Tour

French Quarter Walking Tour

A historic district in downtown Charleston, The French Quarter is named so for the high concentration of French merchants that once lived in the area and left their mark on it. The name was coined in 1973, when preservation efforts began for warehouse buildings on the Lodge Alley block. That same year the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The busy neighbourhood...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Charleston Introduction Walking Tour

Charleston Introduction Walking Tour

A popular tourist destination and a major port city in South Carolina, Charleston is fit to impress anyone with its Southern charm, friendliness, and rich history. Founded in 1670 as Charles Town, honoring King Charles II of England, this was the first comprehensively planned town in America.

The city's significance in American history is tied to its role as a key slave trading port. The...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles