John Mark Verdier House

The John Mark Verdier House is a three-story residence in Beaufort with symmetrically arranged windows, classical columns, and a tabby foundation finished with Roman cement. The structure displays the building craftsmanship and construction methods typical of the early 1800s.

The house was built in 1804 by John Mark Verdier, a French Huguenot merchant, and reflects the wealth generated by indigo and sea island cotton trade. The design and location show the importance of Beaufort as a major trading port in the early 1800s.

The house displays furnishings from its period of construction and features an exhibition space dedicated to Robert Smalls, a major politician and naval officer from the area. Visitors can see how local history connects to the life of this historical figure.

The house is open to visitors on most weekdays and offers guided tours through the various rooms. It is best to look for the entrance on the street side and allow adequate time for a leisurely tour.

The building contains one of the earliest documented applications of Roman cement technology in South Carolina, applied over its traditional tabby foundation. This technique was remarkable for the time and demonstrates technological experimentation in early American architecture.