U.S. Arsenal, Building, 167 Ashley Avenue, Charleston (HABS SC,10-CHAR,183F-)

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altered, PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History 1. Original and subsequent owners: United States Govern- ment; granted to trustees of the Holy Communion Church Institute by joint resolution of Congress, December 19, Name changed to Porter Academy in Sold to Medical College of South Carolina, August 30, 2. Date of erection: About 3. Notes on original plan and construction of building: Originally of a single story in height, [physical evidence]. 4. Notes on known alterations and additions: The second story was added, probably during the century [physical evidence]. The physical history of this build- ing is by no means clear, except for changes in recent years, which include the enclosure of the north piazza and refinishing [interview with W. L.

Willis, wife of the President, and Registrar of Porter Academy on August 29, B. Sources of Information: A. Toomer Porter, Led On, (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons,-189$)." . News and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, August 31, UNITED STATES ARSENAL BUILDING (NOW PORTSR ACADEMY PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCE) HAB3 No. (Page 2) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1. Architectural character: A former arsenal building, altered in the century into dwellings. 2. Condition of fabric: Sound. Finish good in those por- tions recently refinished. B. Technical Description of Exterior 1. Number of stories and "bays, over-all dimensions* layout: two stories; 5 x 12 bays; about 76' long by 34' deep; rectangular with recessed piazza. 2. Foundations: Low. 3.

Wall construction, finish, and color: Red brick, American bond (headers every fourth course), pilaster strips each bay with wide flush band interrupting them at second- floor level. 4. Structural system, framing: Brick bearing exterior.walls, frame partitions, wooden floor and roof system. 5. Porches: Six-bay double-tiered wooden piazza on south side. Square paneled Doric piers. Railings each floor, of wood with turned double, balusters. Paneled ceiling. (A similar piazza on the north side has been enclosed in recent years.) 6. Chimneys: Brick, on main ridge. One is central," the others at the junctions with ridges of the end pavilions. 70 Openings: Openings have been altered extensively; some blocked, others opened, doors and windows interchanged.

Typical windows have flat brick arches, wooden sills, double-hung sash, six-over-six lights, casing inside plain brick opening. 8. Roof: a. Shape, covering: H-shaped roof plan, hipped, covered: with modern composition shingles. b. Cornice: Molded wooden cornice approximately . matches the granite cornices on several other - arsenal buildings in the group. UNITED STATES ARSENAL BUILDING (NOW PORTER ACADEMY PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCE) HABS No. (Page 3) C. Technical Description of Interior 1. Floor plans: In converting to residential uses, this plan appears to have been altered more than once. It Is divided transversely in the center; the east half (described here) forms a semidetached dwelling, and the west half two apartments.

Plan of east half; entrance-stair hall, with one main room on the west (interior) side and two main rooms on the east side (filling out the end pavilion). The piazza is recessed on the south side; a kitchen occupies the (enclosed) piazza area on the north side. First-floor ceiling height approximately second-floor ceil- ing about 2. Stairways: Open well, open string, large turned newel, balusters of rectangular section. 3. Flooring: Long leaf yellow pine boards, varying widths 4" to Recently refinished, 4. Wall and ceiling finish: Painted plaster, with a large cove, about 2I-6". 5. Doors: Four molded panels. Those on the second story have raised panels. 6, Decorative features and trim: Wide wood architrave trim on door and window openings; those on second floor are not so wide.

High molded wooden base. 7. Notable hardware: Two cast-iron butts per door. 8. Heating: Originally heated by fireplaces in main rooms; some have been closed. Chimney breasts project. One marble mantel on second floor, two wooden mantels with pilasters on first floor; their design is simple, rep- resentative of a type often found inside so-called Gre& Revival houses. D. Site: This building faces south toward the main central driveway of the group of buildings; it Is located about east of the main Arsenal Building. Prepared by Harley J. McKee, Architect National Park Service August