City Directories and History: HEBREW ORPHANAGE
Constructed before 1811
This site was sold to the Trescott family in 1804. At that time it was already occupied by “the Director of the Branch Bank of the United States of America.” The bank moved to the new building at the northeast corner of Meeting and Broad Streets (City Hall) by 1804, and Trescott rented the structure on the site to the Bank of the State of South Carolina. 88 Broad Street was sold by 1833 to the Hebrew Orphan Society, an organization founded in 1801 to provide relief to widows and to educate, clothe, and maintain orphans of the Jewish faith. The building only briefly served residential purposes, primarily being used as meeting rooms and a school. After the loss of Beth Elohim Synagogue in the Ansonborough fire of 1838, the congregation used the building for services until completion of the new Beth Elohim in 1840.
The front facade is dominated by a central pavilion surmounted by a pediment with a lunette window. The principal door is flanked by engaged Corinthian columns. Much early woodwork survives despite mid-twentieth century use of the building as offices.
Information from: The Buildings of Charleston – J.H. Poston for the Historic Charleston Foundation, 1997
“William Trescott, between 1811 and 1813, built this substantial three story brick building and in the latter year leased it to the Bank of the State of South Carolina (note: the plaque on the building erroneously says the building was occupied by the first Bank of the United States prior to 1800.) The bank moved to present day 19 Broad in 1817. The property was purchased in 1833 by the Hebrew Orphan Society. Founded in 1801, th Society had its meeting hall and school on the premises. Except for a brief period in the 1860s, the Society did not maintain an orphanage, but domiciled orphans with selected families. Said Elzas, the Jewish historian, “In this way, in addition to the pecuniary assistance given, the misfortune of the orphanage was softened and the little ones were permitted to live in a healthful family atmosphere.” Following the great fire of 1838 which destroyed the synagogue on Hasell Street, the congregation of Beth Elohin worshiped here until the present synagogue was completed in 1840.” (Green, unpub. notes; HCF, Elzas, 285-287; Stoney, This is Charleston, 14; Reznifoff, 136, 155-157.) – CCPL
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