City Directories and History: PINK HOUSE
Courtesy of Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art: Rick Rhodes – photographer, Ronald Ramsey artist – preservationist, 2017.
Constructed circa 1712; restored 1930s
C.O. Greene, Photographer April 8, 1940 NORTH ELEVATION. – 17 Chalmers Street (House), Charleston
“The Pink House, constructed of pinkish Bermuda stone, is the sole surviving ale-house from the bawdy colonial district that ran along Union or Chalmers Alley (as the eastern end of Chalmers Street was known until 1818). The gambrel roof, covered in pantiles, dating from the mid eighteenth century, appears to have been constructed while the chimney was being upgraded; the original roofline probably mirrored the gable roof of the small building to the west. A taverner owned the site in the 1750s, and by the 1780s it had passed to James Gordon. The wealthy Baltimoreans Mr. and Mrs. Victor Morawetz restored the building in the 1930s.”
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
Click on the More Information links, found under the primary image to read about the important work of the artist, Mr. Ramsey.
Preservation Art at Work: Courtesy of Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art: Rick Rhodes – photographer, Ronald Ramsey artist – preservationist, 2017. (For the last several decades, native Charlestonian Ronald Wayne Ramsey has focused on meticulously documenting historical buildings—particularly those slated for demolition—in his hometown. As old buildings in the historically-minded city become condemned and readied for demolition, he secrets himself inside and liberates various seemingly mundane objects from their impending destruction. Such objects, like hinges, shutter dogs, decorative ironwork, doorknobs, and other ubiquitous building artifacts gain new relevance once they become part of his salvaged collection, which traces architectural styles from Charleston’s rich architectural legacy. Along with these objects, Ramsey creates fastidiously detailed drawings of old building facades in the city. Text from the Ahead of the Wrecking Ball Exhibit – 2017)
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