Legacy in Bloom: Inside Summerville’s 2026 Historic Homes Tour
This spring, Summerville invited visitors beyond its storied shaded porches and winding garden paths into the layered stories of the town itself — and what they found was a legacy still very much in bloom. The 2026 Summerville Historic Homes & Gardens Tour — the first of its kind — grew from a shared vision […]
White Gables
603 West Richardson Avenue | Likely Built 1855–1858 | Current Owners: Steven and Denise Lang Likely constructed between 1855 and 1858, White Gables stands as a Greek Revival landmark in Summerville. A 1939 book attributes the house’s construction to Henry T. Peake, though earlier assumptions linking it to his father have not been substantiated. Peake’s […]
Linwood Inn
200 Palmetto Street | Built 1883; Rebuilt After 1886 | Current Owners: Peter and Linda Shelbourne Originally built in 1883 on land owned by Julia Drayton Hastie, Linwood Inn is closely tied to one of the Lowcountry’s most prominent families. The 1886 earthquake significantly damaged the structure, lifting it two inches north and crushing joists […]
Huger House / Camellia Cottages
609 West Richardson Avenue | Late 1880s–Early 1890s | Current Owners: Tim and Rachael Pye Constructed in the late nineteenth century in Queen Anne and Victorian style, the Huger House carries both prominence and perseverance within its walls. The property conveyed to Thomas Bee Huger and Carolina Banks Huger in the 1880s and later to […]
Hickory Estate
110 Hickory Street | Built 1840 | Current Owners: Wayne and Annmarie Locklear Built in 1840 and identified as Classic Revival in style, Hickory Estate predates the Civil War and reflects an earlier chapter of Summerville’s architectural ambition. Its expansive wraparound porch, restored original balusters, and floating foyer staircase convey both formality and Southern ease. […]
Col. J. H. Averill House
102 Hickory Street | Built ca. 1880 | Current Owners: Matthew and Michelle Tyler On Hickory Street, beneath intricate Victorian fretwork, the Col. J. H. Averill House stands with quiet assurance. Built around 1880 in the Queen Anne and Eastlake styles, its clapboard façade and broad porch reflect the confidence of a growing railroad town. […]
The New Southern Social: Inside Charleston’s Mahjong Movement
Charleston Mahjong is having a moment — and Holy Mahj has become one of the city’s most joyful modern rituals, proving that the best things still happen around a table. What began as a preschool friendship in 2017 between two mothers slowly evolved into something much larger. In November 2022, they took a Mahjong lesson […]
Spring’s Sweetest Revival: Lowcountry Strawberry Pretzel Icebox Pie
This strawberry pretzel icebox pie is a beloved Southern classic, gently refined for the season. Toasted pecans deepen the salty pretzel crust while fresh lemon zest lifts the cream cheese filling, bringing balance and brightness to this chilled spring dessert. Strawberry Pretzel Icebox Pie Ingredients For the Toasted Pecan Pretzel Crust For the Cream Cheese […]
Living Fully At Home: An Afternoon with Gray Benko and Chelcie Eastman
An afternoon with Gray Benko and Chelcie Eastman of Anything But Gray on Magnolia Network — on color, character and the courage to live fully at home By Jenna Lachenman | More from Azalea Magazine, Photography by Dynes Media The afternoon light in Gray Benko’s living room does not rush. It lingers. Gray and her […]
Between Light and Memory: Artist Anna Ladyzhenskaya
Tucked away in Summerville’s creative scene is an artist whose journey to Lowcountry living began halfway across the world—with a stamp collection. By Caley Smith, Photography by Bianka Lamb Anna Ladyzhenskaya, a native of Moldova, discovered her love for art in an unexpected way. “Growing up in the Soviet Union, my dad introduced me to […]