122 East Bay Street, a

staats_047.jpg

Dublin Core

Title

122 East Bay Street, a

Date

c. 1956-1957
11/21/2016 (date digital)

Description

Old Exchange Bldg.
Back of photograph: "(c) Henry P. Staats / Old Exchange Bldg. / Foot of Broad St. / 122 East Bay St." 122 East Bay Street or locally called The Old Exchange and Provost Building was designed by William Rigby Naylor and built by Peter and John Adam Horlbeck. This two story Georgian building with its Ionic columns and pilasters, neoclassical urns and hipped roof made of Welsh Caenarvon slate was constructed between 1767 and 1771. It has three bay projections as well as east and west pediment central pavilions. The Exchange and Provost Building has served many purposes over its long life. It was originally meant as an exchange and custom house for shipping in the colony's early years as well as a public market and meeting place. It also served as a military jail and barracks. The Exchange and Provost building held confiscated tea and the Provincial Congress of South Carolina in 1774 until the British seized it and the building changed hands becoming the British Provost dungeon until the end of the war. In 1782, The Exchange and Provost Building served as the city hall and was home to the Ratification Convention of the Constitution. George Washington visited the Exchange and Provost building during his southern tour of 1791. In 1818 the site was given to the federal government, at which times some renovations were made, like demolishing the stair towers and cupola. During Reconstruction, the building was considered up for demolition due to damage following the war and again after the Earthquake of 1886. However, the city protested the demolition efforts, and the DAR and the state of South Carolina bought the building in 1912. In 1973 The Exchange and Provost Building became a National Historic Landmark. In 1976, a bicentennial restoration was planned, which took place between 1979 and 1983, which returned the Georgian building to its former glory. Including new cast stone replacement urns that were lost to the earthquake, new fire tower stairs, and a restoration of an upstairs for social events. Additionally the building serves as a museum. References:National Park Service. Charleston’s Historic, Religious and Community Buildings. Exchange and Provost Building. Retrieved from: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/charleston/exc.htm. Poston, J. (1997). The buildings of Charleston: A guide to the city’s architecture. Columbia, University of South Carolina Press. South Carolina Department of History and Archives. National Register Properties in South Carolina. Exchange and Provost, Charleston County (E. Bay and Broad Sts., Charleston). Retrieved from:http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/charleston/S10817710010/index.htm
visible image 12 x 12 cm
Donated to CLS by Henry P. Staats.

Contributor

Vories, Dylan (digital assistant)

Rights

This item is in copyright but can be used for educational purposes. Please contact Charleston Library Society for more information for any use not qualifying as educational use.

Format

image/jpeg

Type

StillImage

Source

Hinson Audio/Visual Collection

Identifier

chls:386
staats_047

Citation

Staats, Henry P., “122 East Bay Street, a,” Charleston Library Society Digital Collections, accessed March 29, 2024, https://charlestonlibrarysociety.omeka.net/items/show/1187.