Insider’s Tour: Behind the Big House
- October 22, 2026
Insider’s Architecture & History Tour
Behind the Big House is a national program specifically designed to interpret slavery and the places where enslaved workers lived and labored. This Insider’s Tour will feature several former work yards and outbuildings in Charleston’s downtown neighborhoods that once operated as part of urban plantation complexes. We will delve into the international slave trade and the local businesses that benefited from this industry. We hope to shed some light on this important facet of Charleston’s history.
Insider’s Tours take guests inside Charleston’s unique sites and buildings, seldom open to the public. These tours are guided by noted professionals such as architects, historians, and preservation experts with in-depth interpretation focused on Charleston’s architectural styles, layered history, preservation ethic, and design. Each tour includes a unique set of 3 – 4 properties and lasts approximately 2.5 hours, complimentary refreshments are included.
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Tour Information:
- You will be emailed specific tour information at least 7 days before the date of your tour.
- Check-In: Check-in takes place at the meeting location at the beginning of the tour. There are no physical tickets, and printed confirmations are not required. All guests will be checked in will-call style using the first and last name on the ticket order.
- Weather: Tours go on rain or shine. Prepare for inclement weather, if forecasted. The Preservation Society reserves the right to cancel the tours if dangerous or threatening conditions arise. If the tour is cancelled by the PSC, all ticket holders will be contacted, and refunds will be available.
- Cancellations & Refunds: All sales are final. Refund requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis until September 1. After September 1, guests who notify the office in advance may either exchange their tickets for a comparable tour if space is available or convert their tickets to a tax-deductible charitable donation. Most tours run a waitlist once sold out – if you are no longer able to attend, please let us know so your space may be released.