Client Restoration Project

Member of Historic Hotels of America.

Northern Lights Restoration had the pleasure of completing a series of restoration projects at the Wentworth Mansion, a Charming Inns property. Our work encompassed furniture restoration in all 21 suites and the historic lobby, carefully restoring numerous antiques and fine pieces, including the main historic doors. The most impressive project was the interior of the mansion’s signature octagon cupola. Over time, the southern yellow pine walls had suffered from sun damage and general wear and tear. Our team sanded, restained, and refinished the tongue-and-groove walls, bringing them back to their original beauty.

Originally built in the late 1800s by Francis Silas Rodgers, the Wentworth Mansion was rumored to be the tallest building in Charleston. As a fire marshal, Rodgers used the octagon-shaped cupola—accessible by a spiral staircase and featuring a wrap-around balcony—to watch for fires and incoming ships. The mansion was purchased by Richard Widman in 1997. Widman completed a multimillion-dollar renovation to preserve its original features, including inlaid floors, the original grand staircase, hand-carved marble fireplaces, and Tiffany-stained glass, transforming it into the luxurious hotel it is today.