Historic Charleston Foundation Celebrates 2024 Charter Day Award Winners

Historic Charleston Foundation Celebrates 2024 Charter Day Award Winners

Charleston’s robust history possesses soul and spirit owing to the relentless efforts of determined individuals and organizations devoted to heritage preservation. Every April, the Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF) shines the spotlight on these irreplaceable entities who have shaped the city’s cultural legacy. In 2024, the list of Charter Day award winners gleams brighter than ever.

Stoney Craftsmanship Award

Joe Faust, celebrated craftsmanship with his unique traditional plaster and stucco work, has been awarded the Stoney Craftsmanship Award. His adept restoration of historic properties such as 48 South Battery, 55 Society St., and 54 Tradd St., has brought them back to their former glory and stands as a remarkable testament to his skill.

Whitelaw Founders Award

This year’s Whitelaw Founders Award has three impressive recipients, each playing a vital role in historic preservation.

The Old City Jail at 21 Magazine St., a three-story Romanesque Revival structure, takes the spotlight by earning a position on the National Register of Historic Places. Its daunting past ties back to 1802, thus playing a critical role in preserving the city’s history.

Charleston law professor and historian, Kevin Eberle, has not only been an active advocate for preservation but has also breathed new life into an endangered 19th-century freedman’s cottage, earning him this well-deserved award.

Not to forget, the Taveau Church, lovingly preserved by Preservation SC. This rural, framed antebellum church, constructed in 1835, is today amongst the rare surviving landmarks of its time.

Joseph H. (Peter) McGee Advocacy Award

The Beefield Community, a historical African American settlement from circa 1865, owes its historic district status to the relentless perseverance of neighborhood association president George Richardson, an effort that has won Richardson the Joseph H. (Peter) McGee Advocacy Award.

Martha Zierden, a retired archaeologist, also claims this award for her groundbreaking work that has revolutionized the way historians and archaeologists comprehend Charleston’s material culture.

Special Recognition

It’s not just about preserving history but also about adding beauty to our present that helps us relish our past better. Bob and Donna Cox of Landscapes Limited have been paving the way for a prettier Charleston for 30 years. Their exemplary work in maintaining the Nathaniel Russell House Garden and their unwavering support for the HCF’s garden volunteers has earned them a special place in the 2024 Charter Day celebrations.

Charleston breathes history, not in its nostalgia but in its vibrancy, embodying the love of its people for their city. The Historic Charleston Foundation’s Charter Day Awards stand as a testament to the unending affection and tireless dedication these influential personalities have displayed, ensuring Charleston’s past continues to illuminate its future.