U.S. Arsenal, Foundry Building, 167 Ashley Avenue, Charleston

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS SC,10-CHAR,183D-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Original and Subsequent Owners: United States Government; granted to trustees of the Holy Communion Church Institute by joint resolution of Congress, December M, Name changed to Porter Academy in Sold to Medical College of South Carolina, August 30, B. Date of Erection: About I844. C. Architect: Probably Edward Brickell White. D. Notes on known alterations and additions: Converted into a school classroom and administration building; probably the major changes were made in taking "several months." There have been, repairs and alterations more recently (floor covering, plumbing, partitioning in hall of first floor), [physical evidence]. A few years ago clerestory windows were removed from the roof. E. Sources of Information: A.

Toomer Porter, Led On (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, News and ConrieiS Charleston, South Carolina, August 31, Ravenel, Architects of Charleston (Charleston; Carolina Art Association, * UNITED STATES ARSENAL FOUNDRY BUILDING (NOW PORTER ACADSMY "COLCOCK HALL") UABS No. (Page 2) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1. Architectural character: A utilitarian building con- verted into one for educational purposes. 2. Condition of fabric: Sound; finish fair. B. Technical Description of Exterior 1. Number of stories and bays, over-all dimensions, layout: Two stories; seven bays (three each side of wide central bay); about 54! x rectangular shaped. 2. Foundations: Very low. 3.

Wall construction: Red brick, American bond (every fourth course of headers), pilaster strips each bay. 4. Structural system, framing: Load-bearing brick exterior walls and main partitions, other partitions frame. Two \ rows of columns support heavy timber girders for second- floor framing. It is difficult to determine what is orig- inal and what may have been added on the interior of the shell. 5. Porches: Small modern rear porch. 6. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: The central doorway is double; doors have six molded panels each; rectangular glazed transom above, a narrow window on each side. b. Windows: Wooden casement sash, opening in, with projecting drip molding on the bottom rail, with 14 panes in each half. Stone sills. 7. Roof: a.

Shape, covering: Hip roof with composition .shingle's,. b. Cornice: Consisting of four corbelled brick courses. C. Technical Description of Interior 1. Floor plans: First floor a wide central hall of three . bays each direction, with each end of .the building divided into two schoolrooms. Offices and accessory rooms are UNITED STATES ARSENAL FOUNDRY BUILDING (NOW PORTER ACADKMT "COLCOCK HALL") HABS No. (Page 3) partitioned off from the central area, adjoining the hall. Second floor similar to first floor; with a classroom extending across the center of the front (over the en- trance hall). 2. Stairways: A stairway on axis with the entrance occupies the rear portion of the hall. A wide straight flight of 21 risers terminates in a landing, with divided flights of four risers above.

Heavy octagonal newels, molded handrails, turned "balusters, open string. 3. Flooring; Floors are presently covered with modern com- position tile. 4. Wall and ceiling finish: Walls are plastered; those of brick are plastered direct. Some ceilings apparently those typical of an earlier state are of matched and beaded boards about 6" wide; others have been covered with plaster. 5. Doors: There are several types. Some with four molded panels of yellow pine are probably original with the academic use; others of six panels (two tiers of three) also appear relatively old. It is possible that they may have been brought from older buildings. 6. Trim: All openings have wooden architrave trim. A wooden base extends around the rooms. 7. Hardware: Older doors have mortise locks.

Wrought-iron bolts on casement windows appear quite old. S. Lighting: Modern electric fixtures. 9. Heating: Central heating. D. Site: This building faces south toward the main driveway of the Academy campus, and is located about 200 feet east of the main building. It is near the northeast corner of the block occupied by the group. Prepared by Harley <F. McKee, Architect National Park Service August