It’s called ‘Beaufort Style.’ What it is, and why people from all over want to see it
The “Beaufort Style” will be the talk of the town this weekend in the Lowcountry city.
What is that style?
Historic homes with tabby (or brick) foundations, lots of porch space and features that will keep you cooler in a sweltering Lowcountry summer — three of the features of the architectural look that helped put the city on the map.
“The Beaufort Style of architecture is something we’re known for nationally,” said Lise Sundrla, museums and preservation programs director for the Historic Beaufort Foundation.
The Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens, a three-day showcase of the city’s history and architecture, including the Beaufort Style, begins Friday and concludes Sunday.
During the festival, visitors and residents tour historic, private homes and gardens in the city’s National Historic Landmark District that are not usually open to the public. It’s sponsored by the Beaufort Historic Foundation, a not-for-profit that works to preserve the city’s historic sites.
The Landmark District, the largest in South Carolina, has almost 500 historic structures representing three centuries of history and architecture.
This year’s home tour is focused on the Beaufort Style of architecture represented by the large circular porches on both the first and second floors, Sundrla said. When these homes were built in the 1700 and 1800s, Sundrla noted, there was no air conditioning, and the porches allowed breezes to flow into the homes.
Other architectural features of the style are raised foundations, usually of tabby or brick, a southern orientation toward the Beaufort River, and low-pitched roofs to reduce the heat trapped in the summer.
About 300 participants had been expected at this year’s tour, compared to the usual 600, because of lingering concerns about COVID-19, which canceled last year’s event, Sundrla said. But as of Wednesday, 450 people had signed up to attend including people from California, Florida, New York and South Dakota.
Architects, interior designers and historians will be be among those in town this weekend. Some want to glean ideas from the city’s older homes, Sundrla said. Others want to better understand history.
Tickets still available
Purchase them at tour headquarters at 713 Craven St. The cost for the various tours ranges from $65 to $125, depending on the event and whether you are an HBF member.
This story was originally published October 20, 2021 at 3:07 PM.
