Preservation today is about honoring the living city — one that evolves to support the needs of the people who live and work here, while maintaining the elements that make it special. As preservationists, the PSC serves as a thought-leader and community organizer, ensuring that the lessons of the past inform the future of our city.
Since 1959, the Preservation Society of Charleston has erected over 100 historic markers in Charleston’s Old and Historic District. The program began when the Preservation Society was asked by the Charleston Historical Commission, a city-sponsored organization responsible for the marking of important public facilities, to assist in recognizing noteworthy private residences by erecting historic markers. The purpose of the markers is to inform visitors and residents alike as to the historical background of the city.
An easement is a legal agreement in which a property owner formally conveys the preservation authority of a property to a qualified organization, like the Preservation Society of Charleston. The PSC works closely with the owner to establish an agreement that is uniquely designed to reflect both parties’ vision for the future protection of the property. The goal of the easement program is to create a co-steward relationship between the property owner and the Preservation Society. The easement agreement may apply to the exterior or interior and outlines which features or materials must be preserved in place, as well as how the building may be used or altered going forward. In addition to preservation benefits, there is a fiscal incentive to participate in the easement program in the form of a charitable tax deduction to the owner. The result is mutually beneficial for all involved and safeguards Charleston’s architectural heritage for future generations.