In this part of Charleston, you can smell the history as distinctly as the city's Confederate Jasmine. Its distinguished aroma trickles down through the dense overhead canopy of green leaves that dangle from the entangled branches of the areas antiquated oaks and permeates the wood, brick, and iron of the elegant estates and charming residences lining the old streets. Its odor is as overpowering as the yellowish liquid sometimes left on the concrete surfaces by the numerous horse drawn carriages that frequently pass by. This part of Charleston is the highly traveled and visited neighborhoods of the downtown quarter slightly south of Broad Street.The various bed and breakfasts located throughout the Lower Peninsula of Charleston offer the discerning traveler an opportunity to bath their imaginations in the soul of Charleston's enchanting history. One place you may want to consider to do that is the Govenor's House Inn. It dates back to the colonial years of the 1700's when the Holy city was called Charles Towne and has a connection to a well-known Charleston family.
While staying at the Govenor's House Inn, some of the history you will smell is the fragrance of oranges. Built in 1760 by James Laurens, the traditional Georgian double house occupies a parcel of land that was at one time called the Orange Garden--a public garden used for concerts and other events in the late 1600's and early to mid-1700's, which--and this should be no surprise--also believed to have contained an orange grove.
Looking at the house from Broad Street, you will notice it is extremely symmetrical, which was a typical attribute of that style. Inside, there is a center stairway with large rooms on both sides, another characteristic of that design. During an extensive renovation in 1885 by then owner, Captain Wagener, a Victorian spiral staircase was added. Original interior features include heart of pine floors, fireplaces, triple-hung windows, and solid slate fireplaces located in the formal living and dining rooms. A portrait of Edward Rutledge hangs in the foyer.
Rutledge leased the home from James Laurens in 1776, the same year he signed the Declaration of Independence at the age of 27, and eventually purchased it in 1788. A copy of the Declaration of Independence hangs in the foyer with his portrait. He was married to Henrietta, a Charlestonian woman from the prominent Middleton’s.
The Govenor's House Inn is formidable in its length and breadth. On the first and second floor exterior, a spacious veranda porch runs the full length of the house on one side and wraps around to the back. A great space to catch a refreshing breeze, read a book, drink a glass of wine or just watch the comings and goings of eclectic Broad Street with the periodic horse drawn carriage passing by. Your own piece of relaxation on your visit to Charleston.There are seven suites in the main house; two are on the terrace level, two suites in the Kitchen House, and all are elegantly appointed. Six have their own attached private porches and two have exterior entrances. There is no elevator service to the third floor where two suites are located. It offers breakfast and afternoon tea, wine and cheese. It is one of the only properties in downtown Charleston to offer complimentary onsite parking. Depending on the time of year, prices range from $236 to $360 winter and $408 to $508 summer. Check out the full list of amenities, special packages, and things to do.
