Hibernian Hall, Greek Revival landmark on Meeting Street, Charleston, US.
Hibernian Hall is a Greek Revival building with white stucco walls and six towering Ionic columns supporting a temple front modeled after the Temple of Illisius in Athens. The two-story brick structure features an open rotunda with superimposed columns and a grand stair hall with coffered ceilings.
The building was constructed in 1840 for the Hibernian Society, a community organization of Irish residents in Charleston. In 1860 it hosted the Democratic National Convention, a major political gathering during a time of significant national tension.
The building displays Irish heritage through a stone from the Giant's Causeway and hand-forged iron gates adorned with gilded harps. These elements reflect how the Hibernian Society expressed their roots and identity within the space.
The building serves as a venue for social gatherings, society meetings, the annual Saint Patrick's Day celebration, and debutante balls. Visitors should be aware that many of these events are private functions and access may be restricted during certain occasions.
The interior contains a fascinating architectural feature: the open rotunda displays three different Greek architectural orders stacked vertically. This rare design choice demonstrates classical scholarship and turns the hall into an architectural lesson in history.
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