Information & history on rear of piece:
Built in 1849,  the mansion is the second house along Charleston's famous Battery.   The walls, made of local brick,  are 32 inches thick.   Despite their thickness, the house was severly damaged during the earthquake of 1886.   The house is sometimes referred to as the  "pink palace"  because of the liberal use of pink paint on the exterior of the house and garden area.  During the Civil War,  it was the home of Dr. St. Julien Ravenel,  the builder of the Confederate torpedo boat, "David".   The cigar shaped vessel,  50 feet long and powered by steam, attacked and seriously damaged the Union frigate,  New Ironsides,  on Oct 5,  1863.   In 1953,  the house was purchased by Dr.Joe Sam Palmer,  and is currently operated as a Bed and Breakfast.