A majestic, million-dollar, historic SC estate will be auctioned in part for charity. Check it out

An upcoming auction offers a chance to live in luxury in a historic part of South Carolina and support a charitable cause.

Well, as long as you have about $1 million to spare.

A historic English Tudor Revival-style compound in Sumter is set for online auction on Sept. 26, according to a press release from Interluxe, an online luxury real estate marketplace. Bidding for the property at 403 West Calhoun St. will begin at 9 a.m. eastern, starting at $500,000 at Interluxe.

The 6,926 square-foot family compound is owned by Archie Parnell Jr., an international tax attorney who grew up in Sumter and graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

A portion of the sale proceeds will be used to assist people in need of tax help but who cannot afford it. The University of South Carolina School of Law is working to sponsor a low income tax clinic and is applying for a grant from the IRS.

“Given that working in the tax field has been good to Sarah and me, and given that Sumter was where I was originally bitten by the tax bug, my wife and I would like to gift money from the sale to a Low Income Tax Clinic in South Carolina,” Parnell said in the press release.

The four-structure compound, previously listed for $1.8 million, is located in Sumter’s historic district on tree-lined Calhoun Street. The primary residence, guest house, carriage house and pool house comprise close to 7,000 square feet.

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom main house features numerous decorative elements, including a carved mantle fireplace, decorative recessed shelving and a covered front porch. The two-bedroom guest house was enhanced with Tudor-style accents and is connected to the main house via covered walkway.

A carriage house, featuring a two-car garage and second-floor apartment, was designed in the English Tudor style to complement the original two structures.

The property is meticulously landscaped to include multiple gardens and walkways. Also, the property features a saltwater pool and pool house, complete with office, studio and kitchenette.

The property is within walking distance of Sumter’s historic downtown. Sumter traces its roots back to the American Revolutionary War.

Parnell said his late mother, Sara Dickerson Parnell, worked part-time for the IRS and then on her own, often helping those in need in Sumter with their taxes. Parnell said he distinctly remembers when, as a child, a well-known farmer with a box of documents knocked on the door and asked his mother for help.

“It impressed me as a small child that a well-known local farmer asked for my mother’s help and then showed such relief when he handed her the box. It stayed with me and piqued my interest in the tax field,” he said. “The donation will honor my mother who unbeknownst to her, set me on my tax law path in government, business and now academia.”

Previews of the estate for prospective buyers and representatives will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 23-24 and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 25. To make an appointment to view the property, call the Interluxe Auction Manager at (888) 415-5893.