Thomas Elfe House

Thomas Elfe House is a Georgian residence in Charleston featuring four original rooms with cypress woodwork, nine-over-nine windows, and antique furnishings from the colonial era. The interior design and furnishings reflect the refined living standards of wealthy Charleston residents during the 1700s.

Built around 1760, the house was the residence of Thomas Elfe, an English-born woodworker who crafted furniture for Charleston's wealthy families. His furniture workshop became an important part of the city's artisan heritage and shaped local taste.

The home is presented with period-appropriate methods during tours, relying solely on candlelight and natural light to reveal the historical rooms. This lighting approach creates a direct sense of how daily life actually looked in the 1700s.

The house is located on Queen Street and opens for guided tours five days per week under private ownership. Visitors should know that the interior spaces are illuminated only by candlelight and natural light during visits.

The building contained two separate structures: a front section serving as living quarters and a rear section functioning as the woodworker's furniture workshop. This arrangement was practical for a craftsman who needed his workspace close to home.