Name/Title
Freedman's CottagesEntry/Object ID
2007.001.10.1Scope and Content
Freedman's cottages are small, 1-story dwellings with side piazzas, sometimes described by architectural historians as a subset of the Charleston single house. Indeed, they appear at first glance to be a 1-story version of this well-studied architectural type. Long associated with African-Americans, freedman's cottages have not been thoroughly studied for their architectural associations. Along with the shotgun house and praise house, the freedman's cottage may represent one of the only vernacular architectural types in America to be associated exclusively with African-American history. The floor plan of many freedman's cottages feature 1 room to either side of a central fireplace and chimney. Oriented with the gable end to the street, the cottages were originally entered through a piazza screen. Located along the piazza were 2 entrance doors, 1 going into each of the 2 principal rooms. Because of their small size, many freedman's cottages have been enlarged. Additions were usually placed to the rear, but in some instances, the piazzas were also enclosed. Freedman's cottages can be found throughout Charleston's historic district, but are concentrated in predominately African-American neighborhoods in the northern sections of Charleston's peninsula, including Elliottborough, Radcliffeborough and neighborhoods near and to the north of the Crosstown Expressway (Hwy. 17 South).
Document box contains the following files:
Brief overview/description/history of Freedman's Cottages by HCF staff, Katherine Saunders (2002)
Report entitled "Charleston Cottages" by Chris Schmitt & Associates (proposal to the Charleston Housing Authority to build low-income housing using the Freedman's Cottage as a model for the homes)
Newspaper articles
"The Preservation of Freedman's Cottages as a Physical Representation of African American History and Culture" by Abigail Van Houten (student report, 2000)
Draft of 1999 Application for SCDAH grant for funding Freedman's Cottage Survey containing background information which presumably describes the 2000 survey that was undertaken, with or without this funding (note: need to find out if grant was submitted and, if so, if awarded)
Master's thesis (photocopy), "Constructing Free Identity: the Invention and Adaptation of the Charleston Freedman's Cottage" by Paige Marie Wagoner (2007)
Finding aid to Lissa Felzer "Freedman's Cottage Project Collection at Avery Research Center. Collection includes property research reports on 56 Bull Street, 13 Council Street, 14 Council Street, 187 Coming Street, 266 Ashley Avenue, 44 Bogard Street, 277 Coming Street, 40 Morris Street, 189 Smith Street, 82½ Cannon Street, 170 Fishburne Street, 172 Fishburne Street, 14 Kracke Street, 2 Larnes Street and 2½ Larnes Street, 5 Rosemont Street, 14 Rosemont Street, 22 Orr's Court, 111 Cooper Street and 113 Cooper Street, 32 Sheppard Street, 193 Jackson Street, 195 Jackson Street, 1997 Jackson Street, 199 Jackson Street, 7 Court Street (23 Maranda Holmes Street), 308 President Street, 553 Rutledge Avenue, 148 Congress Street.Collection
Preservation Topics and IssuesAcquisition
Accession
2007.001.Source or Donor
New Archives Catalog Records (2007)Acquisition Method
Collected by StaffLexicon
Search Terms
Freedman's cottage, African Americans--Housing--South Carolina--Charleston, Dwellings--South Carolina--Charleston, Vernacular architecture--South Carolina--CharlestonArchive Details
Archive Size/Extent
1 document box containing filesArchive Notes
Level of Description: ItemLocation
Location
Container
Document BoxShelf
Archives D-11Room
Margaretta P. Childs ArchivesBuilding
Missroon HouseCategory
PermanentDate
February 7, 2023Relationships
Related Entries
Notes
2007.001.10.2, 2007.001.10.3, 2008.002.0021, 2008.002.0073Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
June 22, 2007Updated By
admin@catalogit.appUpdate Date
February 16, 2023