The Old Exchange Building, a 254-year-old landmark in downtown Charleston, S.C., is receiving a $100,000 facelift to preserve its colonial architecture from the 1780s. The project aims to restore the look of the 1850s era, timed perfectly for the U.S. 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Work includes new paint, wood repairs, and replacing 1980s windows with authentic nine-over-nine pane designs using durable mahogany instead of original South Carolina pine.
Restoration Details
Museum director Tony Youmans emphasized maintaining historical standards from the building’s original British plan book. Contractor Coln Breslin highlighted the specialized process for window frames: materials start soft like Play-Doh, harden after eight hours, then get shaped precisely. Completion is set for March 2026, ensuring the site remains a vivid portal to Charleston’s colonial history.
This effort underscores Charleston’s commitment to heritage preservation amid growing tourism—perfect for locals and visitors exploring the city’s Revolutionary War sites. Have you visited the Old Exchange Building before, or are you planning a trip?
