Behind the scenes of Summerville’s Historic Homes & Gardens Tour
By Caley Smith, Images by Bianka Lamb
It started with a simple meeting over coffee. Before long, Jennifer Johnson, secretary of the board of directors for the Summerville Museum and Research Center, and AZALEA Magazine publisher, Jenna Lachenman, were imagining a way to open the doors to some of Summerville’s most storied homes.
On a crisp fall afternoon in 2024, the two sat down to discuss promoting the museum. What began as a conversation about marketing soon grew into something larger: the possibility of creating Summerville’s official historic homes tour.
They spoke of the town’s deep-rooted charm—its broad porches, century-old oaks, and streets lined with stately homes. Lachenman noted, “It’s a town made for a historic homes tour.”
By early 2025, Johnson had assembled a committee of seven and mapped out a plan. “We decided to move forward and make it happen,” Johnson said. “We want something that will not only showcase these homes but also benefit the museum and preservation efforts.”
The inaugural Historic Homes & Gardens Tour will take place March 5–7, 2026. Five private residences in Summerville’s West End district will open their doors for guided tours of their first floors and pristine gardens. Guests will see Victorian-era architecture, sculpted gardens, hand-painted wallpaper, period furnishings, and the kind of craftsmanship rarely found today.
“When you walk into these homes, you are stepping back in time,” Lachenman said. “They are ornate but warm and welcoming in a way that reflects the families who care for them and the spirit of Summerville.”
“You are seeing restoration on a grand scale,” Johnson added. “When touring these homes, you will see the best work from the 18th and 19th centuries. People don’t build homes like this anymore.”
The tour will begin with a kickoff garden party March 5 at the historic Linwood Inn, once a centerpiece of the town’s Golden Age of Inns. Guests will enjoy music, light bites, a keynote speaker, and a bouquet-making workshop led by local floral designer Harper Mobley.
“The tour felt like the perfect time to introduce our Azalea Homes inaugural issue and we are proud to serve as the exclusive publication partner for the tour,” Lachenman said. “The issue will celebrate Summerville’s heritage and innovation, highlighting rich heritage and historic homes, but also the new development communities that are part of Summerville’s evolving landscape.”
During tour days, attendees will park at Bethany United Methodist Church, receive a gift bag—including the inaugural issue of Azalea Homes—and ride the Lowcountry trolley, which will shuttle participants seamlessly between locations.
Summerville’s historic homes are more than architectural showpieces; they are chapters in a larger story. In the late 1800s, wealthy Charleston families built summer residences here to escape the waterfront’s heat and mosquitoes.
“The longleaf pine trees were sacred. Because of our rich, sandy soil, mosquitoes weren’t a problem here,” Johnson said. “Everyone wanted to come here to get healthier.”
In 1889, a French physician declared Summerville the healthiest place in the world during an international tuberculosis conference. That recognition sparked a tourism boom. Between 1888 and 1900—the Golden Age of Inns—12 inns operated in Summerville, drawing presidents, businessmen, and prominent families. The town was also home to America’s first railroad community, once anchored by a bustling station that has since been lost to history.
“These homes harken back to that golden period of luxury,” Lachenman said. “They were built by people who valued beauty, comfort, and craftsmanship.”
For Johnson, the tour is also about the importance of preserving historic properties.
Restoring an old home requires careful planning, skilled artisans, and even authentic tools from the past. This tour offers a rare chance to witness the dedication and artistry behind preserving these treasures.
Lachenman and Johnson hope the event will inspire residents and visitors alike to discover Summerville’s historic fabric. Beyond preservation, they believe the tour will strengthen community ties and deepen local pride.
Proceeds will benefit the museum’s preservation work, educational programs, and community outreach.
Tickets are $75 for the tour, $45 for the garden party, or available as a bundle. Sales open in October at summervillemuseum.org.
For history buffs, design enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Summerville’s heritage, this inaugural tour offers an invitation to step through the doors of the town’s storied past.
“When you understand the past, you become more engaged and committed to the future,” Johnson said.
