Heyward-Washington House
Heyward-Washington House
Heyward-Washington House
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Neighbourhood: Charlestowne
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4.5
432 reviews
Excellent
239
Very good
136
Average
44
Poor
10
Terrible
3
ryanprint
Green Bay, WI216 contributions
Apr 2022
We came across the Heyward-Washington House somewhat unexpectedly, but really enjoyed the tour there. Our docent was extremely knowledgeable about the home, the families that resided there, and its era of importance in Charleston. While not too large, there are some amazing pieces of antique furniture in there to see, and they keep the tour groups small so that you have time to view and ask questions. The ticket that includes this place, the Mangiault home and the Charleston Museum is a good value that makes for an interesting look at the city and some of its prominent historical figures. Also, George Washington slept here.
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StarfishCouple
Calabash, NC24 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Our visit began with having to read lots of tacky signage plastered all over the door to find how to get in. When we finally find that the doorbell no longer works and we use the doorknocker, it is opened by someone who was irritated that she had to open the door for us! We were brusquely directed where to go next, and the girl taking our money (receipt said Grace) was no more welcoming than the initial contact. No southern hospitality here!
From reading previous reviews, apparently this site used to have good docents who gave the tours. Now it is a politically-correct prerecorded tour that STARTS OUTSIDE?!?!? If you came to learn about the Heyward's, there is very little information dedicated to them. If you didn't already know that he was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, you might leave not knowing because very little emphasis is placed on his significance in history. And George Washington walked these very floors, but again, the recorded tour does not play that up either. The name Hayward-Washington is deceiving because very little attention is given to the family in the recorded tour. As amateur history buffs, we were very disappointed in its content!
The only bright spot of the tour (other than getting to walk where history-makers walked and lived!) was Rosemary (I think I have her name right), a very pleasant volunteer who was upstairs if you had any questions. I'm guessing maybe she was one of the friendly, knowledgeable docents that was mentioned in the older reviews. She made certain she took time with every guest as they came up the stairs and was a delightful, intelligent lady who seemed genuinely happy to be there and appreciative of the guests.
From reading previous reviews, apparently this site used to have good docents who gave the tours. Now it is a politically-correct prerecorded tour that STARTS OUTSIDE?!?!? If you came to learn about the Heyward's, there is very little information dedicated to them. If you didn't already know that he was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, you might leave not knowing because very little emphasis is placed on his significance in history. And George Washington walked these very floors, but again, the recorded tour does not play that up either. The name Hayward-Washington is deceiving because very little attention is given to the family in the recorded tour. As amateur history buffs, we were very disappointed in its content!
The only bright spot of the tour (other than getting to walk where history-makers walked and lived!) was Rosemary (I think I have her name right), a very pleasant volunteer who was upstairs if you had any questions. I'm guessing maybe she was one of the friendly, knowledgeable docents that was mentioned in the older reviews. She made certain she took time with every guest as they came up the stairs and was a delightful, intelligent lady who seemed genuinely happy to be there and appreciative of the guests.
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue9832
Peoria, AZ153 contributions
May 2021
This house of one of the 4 signors of the Declaration of Independence AND also where George Washington stayed when he visited Charleston. The furniture is extremely interesting in the craftsmanship, history and use. The tour guide was gracious and so knowledgeable - 12 years experience. The kitchens, laundry and beautiful gardens are also on the tour. Be sure to take this one!
Written 7 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
westcoaster2010
boise, id46 contributions
May 2021
I loved our recent tour of this house. Our guide was fabulous and gave you a good sense of the history of Charleston back to the 1700's and the various families who had lived there. I recommend reading "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd before going because she lived her early years in the house and many scenes in the book take place in it,
Written 31 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TorontoHiker
Toronto239 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
We walked by The Heyward-Washington House as we were on our historical walking tour. Our tour guide, Linda, really recommended that we if we only visit one home that we should visit this house. After our walking tour was over, we came right over. It is an 18th century house with the original kitchen, carriage house, slave quarters and courtyard. It was very sobering to hear all of the information on our audio tape. I have to agree with other visitors that there was an overload of information about the antique furnture. I did enjoy the visit.
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
candegurrl25
Flower Mound, TX173 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
The coolest thing about this house is the fact George Washington state’s here during his stay in Charleston. Aside from that the tour is limited to a handful of rooms that have very little to look at. The tour guide did a good job, but again there was little to show. The outside garden is nice. I would recommend other homes that have much more to see.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen D
Cocoa, FL264 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
This house is a National Historic Landmark because it's associated with two very important people, the son of the original builder, Thomas Heyward Jr., a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, and a prominent guest in 1791, President George Washington. Upstairs, in the Drawing Room, parties were held for President Washington, where he danced with numerous ladies of the Charleston aristocracy. When the party was over the men would repair to the Withdrawing Room where they would discuss business, politics, and the burning issues of the day. If you visit that room, you'll find a painting of a previous owner of the house by a young Samuel F B. Morse, the future inventor of the Morse Code. Also, the green bedroom contiguous to the Drawing Room is where Washington slept during his stay in Charleston.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RTS
89 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
This tour was not worth the visit. The lady who conducted the tour was hard hear, not super friendly, and she rushed the tour. On the main floor, she quickly told us a brief history of the house, but it was pretty vague. She sent us upstairs and said to let them know if we had any questions. The man upstairs didn’t bother to tell us anything about the rooms we looked at, didn’t really answer or know the answer to any questions and pretty much just rushed us. I left feeling like I would have learned more by pulling up Wikipedia. Not worth the time, which was about 15 minutes.
Written 2 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L E Crosley
20 contributions
Dec 2020
The best part of the house was realizing you were walking on the same floors where George Washington walked during his stay. I recommend this visit primarily for those who enjoy American history, and colonial furnishings. All interpreters in historical properties are currently wearing masks which makes it very difficult to hear and understand. Some homes have app where you receive tour notes on your smart phone, but the Heyward-Washington house did not.
Written 7 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krissi P
Texas52 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
To be walking where Washington did was a surreal feeling!
There was a guided tour of the main house by a lady that was obviously passionate about the history of the place. The guided tour only lasted about 20 min then you were able to go outside and view the kitchen and laundry house and the gardens. Definitely worth a stop while in Charleston.
There was a guided tour of the main house by a lady that was obviously passionate about the history of the place. The guided tour only lasted about 20 min then you were able to go outside and view the kitchen and laundry house and the gardens. Definitely worth a stop while in Charleston.
Written 8 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, was it hard to hear docent give tour since they are required to wear masks right now? Thanks!
Written 14 August 2021
I cannot say specifically for this house as they were not wearing them when I went on the tour; however, I think it will depend on the individual giving the tour (are the soft spoken or not), how close you are to the docent, and how many individuals are on the tour who may be making noise. It was a neat house and I would recommend going.
Written 14 August 2021
How long should we allow to tour this home? Trying to plan out our upcoming visit. Thank you!
Written 26 February 2017
The outside grounds are self-guided and took approximately 30 min. The guided tour of the home was about an hour.
Written 27 February 2017
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