Built 1833 Designated NHL November 7, 1973 Opened 1833 Added to NRHP 7 November 1973 | NRHP Reference # 73001690 Designated NHLDCP October 9, 1960 Area 3,040 m² Architect Robert Mills | |
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Location 20 Franklin St., Charleston, South Carolina Part of Charleston Historic District (#66000964) Address 20 Franklin St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA Architectural style Gothic Revival architecture Similar Clark Mills Studio, Edward Rutledge House, Old Bethel United Methodist, Farmers' and Exchang, Denmark Vesey House | ||
The Old Marine Hospital is a historic medical building at 20 Franklin Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Built 1831-33 to a design by Robert Mills, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973 for its association with Mills, and as a high-quality example of Gothic Revival architecture. The hospital was built as a public facility for the treatment of sick sailors and other transient persons.
Description and history
The Old Marine Hospital is located in the historic center of Charleston, on the east side of Franklin Street, just south of the Old Charleston Jail. It is a two-story masonry structure, with a hip roof and a raised, arcaded basement that is a characteristic Mills element. A two-story porch extends across the seven-bay facade, with entrances to the porch at the end bays, which have two-story Gothic arches. The porch bays are articulated by clusters of columns, and the iron railings also have a Gothic motif. The main entrance is at the center of the facade, with flanking bays containing tall Gothic windows. When originally built, the building had two long wings extending from its rear; these were damaged by fire and removed during restoration work.
The City of Charleston undertook its operation in 1834, charging arriving ships a fee to support its operation. During the Civil War, it was used for Confederate forces as well as seamen. It was badly damaged by Union bombardment.
From 1866 to 1870, the Episcopal Church ran a school for African American children. In 1895 to 1939, it was the home of the Jenkins Orphanage for young African American children. It was remodeled in 1939 for offices of the Housing Authority of Charleston.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973. The building was named one of the African American Historic Places in South Carolina.