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

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officials of the United States Arsenal. 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 19, Name changed to Porter Academy in 9m' Sold to Medical College of South Carolina August 30? B. Date of Erection: About C. Architect: Probably Edward Brickell White D. Notes on Known Alterations and Additions: Present central stairs appear to be an addition, probably late C. More recent alterations include plumbing? and enclosure of the east end of the second-floor piazza. The physical history of alterations is by no means clear; the quality of con- struction makes it probable that most of -the building was erected by the United States Government?

and that alterations were of a minor nature. E. Sources of Information: A. Toomer Porter? Led On (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons? ftjews and Courier, Charleston? South Carolina, August 31? Ravenel? Architects of Charleston (Charleston: Carolina Art Ass'n., UNITED STATES ARSENAL BUILDING (NOW PORTER ACADEMY OFFICERS* DWELLINGS) MBS No. (Page 2) PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement 1. Architectural character: One of a pair of residential "buildings accessory to the United States Arsenal group. 2. Condition of fabric: Sound. B. Technical Description of Exterior 1. Number of stories, number of bays, over-all dimensions? layout: Two stories? 2x7 bays, about 20' x ex- cluding piazsa? rectangular with projecting piazza. 2. Foundations: very low. 3. Wall construction: Red brick?

American bond (headers every fourth course); pilaster strips on corners. 4. Structural system: Exterior briclc bearing walls? frame partitions and floor system. 5. Porches: Five-bay double-tiered wooden piazza on south side? with Doric columns above Tuscan columns; the lower order is on stucco pedestals. Tapered pilasters are be- hind the end columns. At the second-floor level? two bays at the east end have been enclosed. 6. Chimneys: Two brick chimneys are placed symmetrically on the ridge? at the interior. They are not hooded, as are most Charleston chimneys of the century. 7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: A central doorway has a door with four molded panels, over which is a glazed rectangular transom. Other openings contain French doors and modern doors. b.

Windows: Windows under piasza extend to the floor; others have granite sills. Lintels are granite. Double-hung sash? twelve-over-twelve lights, 8. Roof: a. Shape? covering: Hip roof covered v/ithslate. b. Cornice: Granite, molded with straight (inclined) profiles. These appear identical cornices .on the United States Arsenal Main Building. UNITED STATES ARSENAL BUILDING (NOW PORTER ACADEMY OFFICERS * DWELLINGS) HABS No. (Page 3) C. Technical Description of Interior 1. Floor plans: This "building is divided into two dwelling units by a transverse center partition. The east half is described here.

First floor: An entrance and stair hall is at the west (interior) end, then a main room extending the full depth of the plan, and at the east end is a larger room across the south and two smaller ones at the north, A piazza is at the south side of the hall and main room. The second floor layout is similar. Ceiling heights are about 14' and 2. Stairways: Open well, open string, 24 risers. A landing cuts across a window on the north wall. There is a large turned newel, round handrail, and turned balusters. 3. Flooring: Longleaf yellow pine boards, wide. 4. Ceiling and wall finish: Ceiling one second-floor watm. is ceiled with boards, which appears to typify an earlier state. The remainder are plgsteredy with a plaster cornice The vestibule has a foliated plaster centerpiece.

Walls plaster, painted. At an unknown date, wooden beads were applied to the walls of the main room to form panels. 5. Doors: Doors have four molded panels. 6. Decorative features and trim: Paneled wooden trim with paneled corner bloclcs. Soffits and reveals of window openings are paneled in wood, painted. Rooms have a high molded base. 7. Notable hardware: Decorative cast-iron railing on second- floor piazza. Doors are (each) hung on two cast-iron butts 8. Heating: Original heating was by fireplaces. Typical mantels are of marble, of simple design; fireplaces have marble hearths and cast-iron fire fronts. Chimney breasts project. D.

Site: This building (faces south) and a similar one face each other across the axis of the main United States Arsenal building, about apart, a short distance west of it. Prepared by Harley J. McKee, Architect. . .National Park Service August.1963