History of Kaminski House Museum

Of the more than 60 antebellum homes in

Georgetown, the Kaminski House Museum stands

out as one of the most representative of the

Georgian style architecture of the era. Built on a

bluff overlooking the Sampit River, the Kaminski

House is typical of the “single house” construction

of the time. The narrow end of the home faced the

street with the entry way located midway down one

side of the building.

A stroll down the streets of Georgetown or Charleston’s historical district will reveal many homes

built in that tradition. The entry usually led into a hall leading to a staircase to the upper floor or

floors. There would usually be a large room on either side of the hallway on all floors. In the

Kaminski House, the huge dining room is to the right of the hallway and the drawing room is to

the left as you enter the home.

The home was built by Paul Trapier, a leading merchant of South Carolina and sometimes known

as “The King of Georgetown”. Born in 1716 of Huguenot parents in the French Santee section of

Berkely County, Trapier moved to Georgetown and opened a small store. He soon became so

successful he opened stores in Charleston also. By the 1750’s Trapier was considered one of the

wealthiest merchants in the colony. During the Revolution, Trapier was active in supplying the

military with provisions until the fall of Charleston to the British in 1780. Trapier gave the home

and land to his daughter Elizabeth in 1769. It is

assumed that the house existed at that time, but it

is not clear from available documentation.

Over the years the home was passed along to her

niece who married John Keith whose family

maintained it until 1855. From then until 1931,

when it was purchased by Harold and Julia Kaminski,

the home was owned by various owners including

Thomas Daggett and George Congdon. Harold was

the son of Heiman Kaminski, one of Georgetown’s

most prominent merchants during the latter part of

the 1800s. He maintained holdings in shipping, rice

and timber, dry goods, groceries and hardware.

Julia was the daughter of John Pyatt, a product of

“old Southern aristocracy”.

At her death in 1972, Julia Kaminski bequeathed the

grounds, the house and all the furnishings to the

City of Georgetown, suggesting it become a

museum in memory of her husband, Harold. Harold

served as Mayor of Georgetown and was

instrumental in the development of the Coast

Highway, improvements in the Inter-coastal

Waterway and bringing inexpensive electricity to

Georgetown. He also served as an officer in the US

Navy during both World War 1 and World War II and

was on duty in Pearl Harbor on the morning it was

attacked by the Japanese. During their ownership

the home was extensively renovated, modernized

and furnished with the unique furnishings it

contains today.

In the years since Julia Kaminski bequeathed the

home to the City, it has become a significant tourist

draw as both an information center for Georgetown

and a unique insight into the construction and

furnishings of a bygone period. With a gift shop and daily tours conducted, many feel the house

serves a unique roll in the ambiance of Georgetown as very few period homes are available for

tourist to get the feel of the antebellum south. Currently the Kaminski House gift shop is open

seven days a week with tours given on the hour.

HISTORY