Izard-Pinckney House, 114 Broad Street, Charleston

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,10-CHAR,122-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

tectural features PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History 1. Original and subsequent owners: The original owner was Ralph Izard, son of Ralph Isard, who began the building; he sold it to Colonel Thomas Pinckney in In it was sold to the Bishop of Charleston. [Alice R. Huger Smith and D. E. Huger Smith, The Dwelling Houses of Charleston (Philadelphia: Lippincott, p. 2. Date of erection: Started circa finished circa [Samuel G, Stoney, This is Charleston (Charleston, S. C, p. 3. Notes on alterations and additions: During the earth- quake of the brick tympanum of the front gable fell, doing great damage to the portico. The tympanum was re- placed with a wood frame wall and the entablature of the portico was replaced.

Parts of two service stairs, one on each side of the main stair, were removed; the one on the east side making way for a modern kitchen. A small tower on the west side was added in recent years. [Inter- view with Samuel G. Stoney, Tradd Street, Charleston, S. C, on July 16, and observation of the structure.] m TZAHD-PINCKNEX HOUSE HABS No. SC-1QO (Page 2.) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1. Architectural character: An early century mansion with a Tuscan portico, unusually high room proportions and notable, interior trim, well preserved. 2. Condition of fabric: Excellent throughout. B. Technical Description of Exterior 1. Over-all dimensions: Front portion, about 40' x 40' > rear portion, about 25* x Front has 5 bays faces south. 2.

Foundations: ^here is a basement entirely above ground, 91 high; v^alls are brick, laid in English bond. The topmost course forms a water table. 3. Wall construction: Brick, laid in Flemish bond. 19 courses equal 5! in height. Walls have been tied with "earthquake rods" (iron rods'5' with washers at the ends, extending through from wall to wall at floor level); such ties were widely installed in Charleston after; the # earthquake of There is a plain marble string course at the level of the second floor. 4. Porch: A one-story portico at the main-floor level rests on a stucco wall having three blank elliptical arches at basement level.

There are four stucco Tuscan columns, occupying the three central bays of the facade; at each end a curving stair of 13 risers connects the porch floor with sidewalk level. Steps are sandstone. A simple iron railing extends between columns and a simi- lar one follows the stairs. The floor is paved with stone. A wooden entablature over the columns carries a wooden balustrade and flat deck. 5. Chimneys: There are two simple brick chimneys.in the front portion one on either side wall and two on the rear wall. 6. Openings: Door and window openings have simple wood casings set into the masonry opening, well back of the face. Sills and lintels are white marble. Lintels take the form of a flat arch, with ornamental keystones ex- cept under the portico.

Sash are triple-hung, six lights in each section. There are no exterior shutters. The exterior doors have high glazed transoms, of nino lights. . m IZARD-PINCKNEY HOUSE HAES No. (page 3) 7. Roof: The front portion has a gable fronting the street; the rear portion is hipped. There are two dormers on the east and two on the west. C. Technical Description of Interior 1. First and second floors are similar in plan. From a central entrance a hall extends through to the rear, the rear portion being wider to contain a stair. Another hall intersects this one at right angles. In the front portion of the house there is a large parlor on each side; the one on the east has been subdivided at an unknown date into two rooms, the partition blocking the fireplace.

In the rear portion of the house, which is wider than the front, is a narrow area at each side of the main stair hall; these formerly contained service stairs. At each rear corner is a principal room. Thus, each story contains four principal rooms and cross- shaped halls. The height from first floor to second floor is second-story ceilings are approximately high. 2. Stairway: Stairs are wide, rising to a landing, where there is a Palladian window, and returning with a narrow well. There is an open string, having brackets enriched with a wave motive, which continues across the # well at the top. The handrail is round in section, with two rectangular slats for each tread. There are yi risers.

On one side, a narrow straight flight continues to a mez- zanine level in the rear portion of the house, in a serv- ice stair compartment, and to the attic. 3. Flooring: Most floors are of the original long leaf yellow pine boards, generally 5 wide. 4. Wall and ceiling finish: Plaster; some painted, some papered. The attic is finished with plastered walls and ceiling, apparently added some time after 5. Doorways and doors: Most doors appear original; they have six panels and are hung on two butts. The opening (without doors) between the two halls of the second floor is particularly notable. Most doors are high. 6. Trim: a. General: Rooms have high molded bases, and cornices throughout except for parlors in the front portion of the second floor.

Doors and windows have wide wooden trim, with corner blocks; this trim varies somewhat, following three basic forms. Principal IZAHD-PINCKKEY HOUSE HABS No. SC-lOO (Page 4) rooms have mantels except where the fireplaces have been blocked up on the east side of the front portion, Window reveals are wood-paneled; reveals extend to floor level, with a panel under the stool. b. Type "a" trim: This is wide. On each edge is a projecting plain band, and inside it a band of large beads (about 1" diameter). The central band- the widest is sunk, and is convex in sec- tion. This is found on the windows of the front portion of the house, and on the opening between the second-floor halls, which also has an entabla- ture above. c. Type "b" trim: This is wide.

Just inside the projecting band at each edge is a large reed of pointed section; there is a similar reed on center. The spaces between reeds are sunk, and are convex in section. This is found on second- floor doorways, and doorways of the first floor in the rear portion of the house. d. Type trim: This resembles type "a" except that a roll molding is substituted for the beads. It is found on doorways in the front portion of the first floor. 7. Mantels: a. First floor, west front room: This is of marble and has carvings in relief. b. First floor, west rear room: This is of dark marble and has marble Doric columns. In the opening is a "Gothic" fire front. c. First floor, east rear room: This is of gray marble with Doric columns. d.

Second floor, west front room: This is of dark green marble with white marble Ionic columns. e. Second floor, east and west rear rooms: Thege are simple wooden mantels. 8. Hardware: The exterior door on the west side of the first floor has a fine old brass box lock and brass knob. 9. Heating: Original heating was by a fireplace in each principal room. # I2ARD-PINCKKEY HOUSE HABS No. (Page 5) Site: This house is located on the north side of a princi- pal street in the old part of town, amid mansions of the and centuries. Buildings are close to the side- walk and side yards are narrow; this one is typical in that respect. The frontage is about leaving a yard about 12' wide at the west and about 8* wide at the east.

In the rear is a small court and a brick, two-story tile-roofed service building which extends the width of the lot. There is a high brick wall along the side lot lines. On the street front is a small iron gate at the east end, and a small wooden doorway (to the yard) adjoining the house at the west; at the west is a vehicular gateway leading to a gravel drive which occupies most of that side yard. Prepared by Harley J. McKee, Architect National Park Service July