The Heyward-Washington House ( c. 1772), was the home of Thomas Heyward Jr., signer of the Declaration of Independence. When George Washington came to Charleston in 1791, the house was rented for his use. It is the only 18th century house museum in the city with a kitchen building open to the public. The exquisite formal garden is comprised of plants available to Charlestonians during that period. Furnished with magnificent, Charleston-made furniture, the collection includes the priceless Holmes Bookcase, considered to be the finest example of American-made furniture in existence today.
Located in the historic district, the Heyward-Washington House is in the neighborhood used by Dubose Heyward as the setting for Porgy and Bess. It is a National Historic Landmark.
