Plenty of historic homes in downtown Charleston sport signs and placards - but what do they all mean? We’ve rounded up the most common types of signs you’ll see in the historic district. Check out this guide to learn more!

We touch on some of the less-common architectural styles that can be spotted around Charleston, such as Moorish Revival, Art Deco, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Midcentury Modern.

Get to know some of the Victorian-era styles of architecture that can be spotted around downtown Charleston.

Admire the ornate, decorative Italianate style and learn about how this era served as a turning point in art and architectural history.

Learn about the 19th century Gothic Revival style of architecture - relatively uncommon in Charleston, but exemplified by some of our favorite buildings.

Explore beautiful examples of Classical Revival architecture in Charleston, dating to ca. 1820s-1860s.

Discover the architecture of the Federal Era, from the earliest days of the new nation of the United States.

Explore the architectural history of Charleston in the Georgian era of the 18th century, marked by symmetric designs, Classically-inspired elements, and grander homes that reflected the increasing wealth of the colony.

We explore Charleston’s history through the lens of its architecture, beginning with the Colonial Era.

Learn about some of the common motifs of grave markers in Charleston.

Discover some of the most common types of houses you’ll spot around historic downtown Charleston.

Walking around the historic heart of Charleston, you’ll see plenty of gorgeous old homes and buildings. One thing that catches attention is the colorful paints used on these structures: from the signature pastel hues of Rainbow Row to the darker shades of trims, doors, and shutters, Charleston’s palette is a distinctive one. These are some of the colors you’ll see in the historic district: