Old Marine Hospital

Old Marine Hospital

Old Marine Hospital in Charleston
Location 20 Franklin St., Charleston, South Carolina
Coordinates 32°46′40″N 79°56′13.7″W / 32.77778°N 79.937139°W / 32.77778; -79.937139Coordinates: 32°46′40″N 79°56′13.7″W / 32.77778°N 79.937139°W / 32.77778; -79.937139
Area .75 acres (0.30 ha)
Built 1833
Architect Robert Mills
Architectural style Gothic Revival
Part of Charleston Historic District (#66000964)
NRHP Reference # 73001690
Significant dates
Added to NRHP November 7, 1973[1]
Designated NHL November 7, 1973[2]
Designated NHLDCP October 9, 1960

The Old Marine Hospital is a historic medical building at 20 Franklin Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Built 1831-33 to a design by Robert Mills, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973 for its association with Mills, and as a high-quality example of Gothic Revival architecture. The hospital was built as a public facility for the treatment of sick sailors and other transient persons.

Description and history

The Old Marine Hospital is located in the historic center of Charleston, on the east side of Franklin Street, just south of the Old Charleston Jail. It is a two-story masonry structure, with a hip roof and a raised, arcaded basement that is a characteristic Mills element. A two-story porch extends across the seven-bay facade, with entrances to the porch at the end bays, which have two-story Gothic arches. The porch bays are articulated by clusters of columns, and the iron railings also have a Gothic motif. The main entrance is at the center of the facade, with flanking bays containing tall Gothic windows. When originally built, the building had two long wings extending from its rear; these were damaged by fire and removed during restoration work.[3]

The City of Charleston undertook its operation in 1834, charging arriving ships a fee to support its operation.[3] During the Civil War, it was used for Confederate forces as well as seamen. It was badly damaged by Union bombardment.

From 1866 to 1870, the Episcopal Church ran a school for African American children. In 1895 to 1939, it was the home of the Jenkins Orphanage for young African American children. It was remodeled in 1939 for offices of the Housing Authority of Charleston.[4]

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973.[2][3] The building was named one of the African American Historic Places in South Carolina.[5]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Old Marine Hospital.

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 "Old Marine Hospital (Charleston)". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
  3. 1 2 3 Tray Stephenson and Bernard Kearse (April 25, 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Old Marine Hospital" (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying two photos, exterior, from 1973 (32 KB)
  4. ↑ Edgar, Walter. South Carolina Encyclopedia (2006) pp. 590-591, ISBN 1-57003-598-9
  5. ↑ African American Historic Places in South Carolina
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