This was our first view of Charleston as we entered the harbor from the south...There were other large ships carrying cargo from all over the world as well as cruise ships.
This was the view from our marina...we were at the Charleston Maritime Center which was right in the historic district. A great place to dock, as we could walk to the farmer's market on Saturday, and to the Market Street where there were local crafters and vendors.
This was the view of the new Ravenal Bridge crossing the Cooper River.
Our first tour was to two plantations--the Drayton House and the Middleton Place. The first was the Drayton House which was a preserved site meaning that there had been no restoration. The building was only being maintained to its original state. There were no furnishings. This picture is of the grounds looking from the second floor. The driveway coming in is from the Ashley Road which is narrow with huge overhanging trees--now a Scenic Byway.
And here is the house.......The rear of the house faced the Ashley River which was often their route of transportation to Charleston.
Next we visited the Middleton Place which has America's oldest landscaped gardens first landscaped in 1741. One of the Middletons was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, another was the President of the first Continental Congress, another a governor of South Carolina, with successive family members equally active politically.
This building on the property was to store dairy products and foods because the spring water kept it cool. It was also used as a chapel for the family's slaves until the Civil War.
Sheep grazing on the front lawn...........
Another view of the pond looking from the house.
This was the Octagal Sunken Garden which was of the three formal gardens on the property. Originally, the gardens where shades of green and eventually, successive Middleton's added colors with azaleas, gardenias and roses.
I don't remember which flower this was but it was used by the slaves who picked the flower and then held it over the mistress's head to shade her !!!!
Here is the Butterfly Garden overlooking the Ashley River. To the left side (not shown) were the rice beds. I was surprised to learn the this area was the largest producer of rice during the 18th and 19th centuries. The slaves who were brought from in from Africa were knowledgeable about growing and harvesting the rice--thus, this was their main crop, not cotton.
This tree is the known as the Middleton Oak and is believed to be over 1000 years old. Indians used this as a landmark when navigating the river. 85' tall, with a circumference of 37' and a limb spread of 145'.
This is the only remaining part of the residence to survive the burning of the plantation in 1865. Because Middleton was an advocate for secession, the Union soldiers were told to destroy this and other properties on their march to the south. We toured the home which is filled with family heirlooms.
We also had lunch at the Middleton Place Restaurant. Southern fried chicken--best fried chicken I've ever had, great pulled pork , rice (of course) and corn pudding which I just tasted and wished I would've taken more. Ended with yummy pecan pie !
Sheep grazing on the front lawn...........
Another view of the pond looking from the house.
This was the Octagal Sunken Garden which was of the three formal gardens on the property. Originally, the gardens where shades of green and eventually, successive Middleton's added colors with azaleas, gardenias and roses.
I don't remember which flower this was but it was used by the slaves who picked the flower and then held it over the mistress's head to shade her !!!!
Here is the Butterfly Garden overlooking the Ashley River. To the left side (not shown) were the rice beds. I was surprised to learn the this area was the largest producer of rice during the 18th and 19th centuries. The slaves who were brought from in from Africa were knowledgeable about growing and harvesting the rice--thus, this was their main crop, not cotton.
This tree is the known as the Middleton Oak and is believed to be over 1000 years old. Indians used this as a landmark when navigating the river. 85' tall, with a circumference of 37' and a limb spread of 145'.
This is the only remaining part of the residence to survive the burning of the plantation in 1865. Because Middleton was an advocate for secession, the Union soldiers were told to destroy this and other properties on their march to the south. We toured the home which is filled with family heirlooms.
We also had lunch at the Middleton Place Restaurant. Southern fried chicken--best fried chicken I've ever had, great pulled pork , rice (of course) and corn pudding which I just tasted and wished I would've taken more. Ended with yummy pecan pie !
