Charleston's Harborside House Museum

A History of Two Families & A City

Of Charleston's many fine house museums, only the Edmondston-Alston House commands a magnificent view of Charleston Harbor. Constructed in 1825 and enhanced in 1838, the house was ideally situated to provide a vantage point from which General P.G.T. Beauregard could observe the fierce bombardment of Ft. Sumter on April 12, 1861, signaling the start of the Civil War. And on December 11 of the same year, the house gave refuge to General Robert E. Lee the night a wide-spreading fire threatened his safety in a Charleston hotel.

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The interior of the Edmondston-Alston House

The library at the Edmondston-Alston House

Enjoy a Guided Tour

Led by an experienced guide, the 30-minute guided tours explore the house’s public rooms and piazzas, focusing on its Federal and Greek Revival design and its vast collection of family silver, decorative arts, and furniture.

Guided Tours are Offered:

Tuesday - Saturday 10:00a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sunday and Monday 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas

Hours are subject to change. Please call 843-722-7171 to confirm times.

Ticket Prices

Adult: $12 ($11 with your online purchase)
Student, Ages 14+ with Student ID: $8
Child, Ages 6-13: $8

Middleton Place & Edmondston-Alston House Combination tickets available. Click here for more info and to purchase.

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More Tour Options

The Private Tour

Enjoy one-on-one interaction with an experienced guide. Available by appointment.

60-Minute Tours

60-minute tours provide a deeper dive into the house's history, architecture, and collections, as well as relevant Charleston and U.S. history. Perfect for avid historians and architecture buffs. Available by appointment.

Private Events

Enjoy cocktails or dinner on the second-floor piazza with its unmatched view of the Charleston Harbor. Call for details.

Tour of the Charleston Battery

Pineapple Tour Group offers a 60-minute guided tour of Charleston’s Battery, that concludes with a tour of the Edmondston-Alston House. Learn about the history of the city as well as the extended Alston family. Visit the Pineapple Tour Group’s website for more information.

Tour options must be reserved in advance. Call 843-722-7171 for additional information.

Middleton Place & Edmondston‑Alston House Combination Ticket

Explore two historic icons for one great price. Admission includes a group tour of Edmondston-Alston House and general admission to Middleton Place, a National Historic Landmark. Admission to Middleton Place includes access to 65 acres of landscaped gardens, the House Museum, a look at 18th and 19th century plantation life with costumed craftspeople and historic animal breeds in the Stableyards as well as complimentary guided walking tours.

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