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