Johns Island Plantation House, Charleston SC 1953

This vintage photograph, created by Frances Benjamin Johnston, captures a notable structure on Johns Island in Charleston County, South Carolina. Built in 1730 by John Fenwick, this plantation house replaced an earlier log dwelling and exemplifies the architectural style of the period. The image showcases various interior elements such as andirons, candelabras, and furnishings, reflecting the lifestyle and aesthetics of plantation life in the early 20th century.

The photograph is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which aimed to document the significant structures of the region. This specific image was purchased from Johnstons estate in 1953 and has been published in Samuel Gaillard Stoneys work, Plantations of the Carolina Low Country, in 1938.

Frances Benjamin Johnstons detailed photography provides insight into the historical context of South Carolina’s plantation architecture and interior design. KNOWOLs historic images connect the rich stories and imagery of our past. A statement in any room, each is printed on museum-quality paper using a restored version of the original.