The Nathaniel Russell House, a prominent symbol of America’s neoclassical architecture, is situated at 51 Meeting Street in the heart of downtown Charleston. This grand residence, completed in 1808, was originally built for Nathaniel Russell, a prosperous merchant who settled in Charleston at the age of 27 and rapidly accumulated wealth through various trade activities including the African slave trade.
The architectural design of the Russell House is a stunning example of the Federal style. Unlike many urban dwellings of its time in Charleston, the Russell House is set back approximately thirty feet from the street, featuring a front garden entrance. The three-story brick structure, with its low hipped roof and paneled balustrade, showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of the era. Particularly noteworthy is the full-height polygonal bay on the south elevation and the tall second-story windows opening to a wrought-iron balcony, which provides a charming view of the garden.
One of the most celebrated features of the Nathaniel Russell House is its interior, especially the free-standing elliptical stair with a mahogany handrail that gracefully rises from the first to the third story. The attention to detail is evident in the cast plaster or carved wood ornamentation found throughout the cornices, chair rails, mantels, and window and door frames. The house’s rooms are large and well-proportioned, adorned with superb decorative work, making it one of Charleston’s most stunning interiors.