In the depths of a global pandemic and a summer marked by profound social unrest, my dear friend Dave Dawson and I began imagining something new.
It was 2020, and Historic Charleston Foundation had made the difficult decision to retire the Charleston Antiques Show, a beloved program it had founded years before. Dave and I saw an opportunity in that moment of change: to create something that would bring together our shared passions for preservation, design, architecture, craftsmanship, and the historic places that connect us to the past while inspiring what comes next.
Charleston had long been a place where great ideas about design and preservation came together. We wanted to build on that tradition—to invite world-class voices to Charleston to talk about building craft, interiors, landscapes, architecture, and the creative process, while using the city itself as the ultimate backdrop and source of inspiration.
What better place to have those conversations than Charleston, the birthplace of the historic preservation movement in the United States?
And so, Charleston by Design was born.
What began as an idea shared between two friends during an extraordinarily uncertain time has grown into an extraordinary weekend of talks, tours, workshops, roundtable discussions, and gatherings in the historic district’s houses, churches, gardens, and other remarkable spaces.
I am incredibly proud of what Charleston by Design has become—and deeply grateful to Dave for the idea, the inspiration, and the friendship that helped bring it to life.
The 2027 Charleston by Design weekend will be dedicated to Dave Dawson: a friend, a creative spirit, and a believer in the power of beautiful places, thoughtful design, and good conversation to bring people together.
I hope to see you there!
Winslow Hastie
President & CEO
Historic Charleston Foundation
