plantation tours in charleston, sc

Craftspeople in the stable yards demonstrate the skills employed by enslaved people, from sewing clothing to making tools in the blacksmith shop. "I was excited to visit a plantation but this one was a letdown. These sites offer fewer tourist services but are recommended for those with greater interest and more time to explore plantations in the area. Early plantations mainly grew indigo and rice which grew well in the coastal marshy conditions. As an African American, Charlestons antebellum grandeur and history hold very different perspectives for me. The Horlbeck brothers, using a large slave labor force, produced millions of bricks a year in the mid 19th century. Spend the day exploring two National Historic Landmarks along the Ashley River Corridor. McLeod Plantation Historic Site is the closest plantation and can be reached by a 10 minute drive or 20 minute bus ride from downtown Charleston. There is a wheelchair accessible restroom located near the main plantation house. Most Unique: The plantation has the oldest landscaped gardens in the country and the house also contains a nice collection of 18th and 19th century antiques and furnishings. Thomas Stone and his wife owned it from 1935 to 1940 and built the current house. The nature tour consisted of a tram ride throughout the swamp (old rice fields) jungle of the property," read more, "We enjoyed our time here at this Plantation, and learned a lot what we wish we knew before we came. $49 Adult Your personal tour guide will walk you through a private adventure in a 4+ hour tour in this intimate setting. Like Drayton Hall, it is unfurnished inside. (late 18th century or early 19th century), a larger sixth cabin was built later, a cotton gin house (19th century), dairy (19th century with 18th century cellar), kitchen (19th century), and a 4-person privy. Visit America's oldest landscaped gardends that has survived a revolution, a civil war, and an earthquake. Private tours are available. Visit Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens on this 4.5-hour tour from Charleston, South Carolina. The new museum opened on June 27, 2023, calls that exact spot home. The gardens here are special so take some time to wander around and appreciate them. I have visited all but McLeod Plantation and you have certainty covered everything. As you lose yourself amongst the moss-covered oak trees and blooming azaleas, you can't help but find yourself being transported on a journey back in time. The lives of the enslaved and their culture is now the main focus at some places like McLeod Plantation Historical Site in Charleston and at Whitney Plantation near New Orleans, LA. For those looking for an original plantation home, we recommend Drayton Hall. Charles Pinckney National Historic Site1254 long Point RdMount Pleasant SC 29464. Most do not allow drones or tripods on site. The site has been dedicated as a. manicured gardens here, but there is an oak alle and the huge McLeod Oak tree, which is thought to be more than 600 years old (perhaps even 1,000 years!). It is the oldest public tourist site in the area, having opened their doors to visitors in 1870. The regular guided interpretive tours here are the best place to get this information. None of the plantations are located in downtown Charleston, as plantations by definition require a lot of space. We also recommend Boone Hall Plantation which offers daily live talks about the lives of the slaves on the plantation, a self-guided tour you can take with exhibits in the former slave cabins, and a daily live presentations about Gullah culture in their outdoor theater. No, although a small area of Sea Island cotton is being grown on the plantation again as a project by volunteers and staff for demonstration and educational purposes. Thanks again for sharing your perspective, and I am glad you have found our article useful in planning trips for visiting friends. Each plantation has its own website that will offer all you need to know about admission prices, tour times, whether tickets can be booked in advance, closure dates, restaurant openings, contact information, etc. The original house was built by John and Elizabeth Boone circa 1680s and was likely a small cabin. About 15 miles away from Charleston on the Ashley River, lies the oldest unrestored plantation house in America. More details, Boone Hall Plantation Tour, 4hrs With Crafted Charleston Tours. We also enjoyed learning about the history of Drayton Hall, from being used by General Cornwallis during the American Revolutionary War to being kept running through leases for phosphate mining. Published annually, the official Charleston Visitors Guide is full of gorgeous photography, insider tips, maps, and resources to help you plan your Charleston vacation. This post may contain affiliate links. The central feature of the plantation is a self-guided rowboat tour through the black water swamp. Around before the American Revolution, it harbors centuries of history that few places in America can boast to have. he first plantation house was built in the 1680s by Thomas Drayton and his wife Ann Drayton. The south flanker, which had served as a gentlemens guest quarters and business office, was the least damaged and was rebuilt in 1869 as the family home and is the house you see today. There are a number of archaeological finds, pieces of furniture, art, letters, etc. Call 843-270-0929 for inquiries and reservations. Buy Your Plantation Tickets Here. Charleston became wealthy from these plantations, but these riches were of course made on the backs of the slaves who were forced to work the fields. Call 843-804-9933 for reservations or book online. Architectural Style: The house is Georgian in style although additional features and additions have changed the look of the house over time, including the addition of wings to be used as a garage and for storage in the early 20th century and a 2-storey Roman Doric portico in 1926. Gardens: There are extensive gardens at Magnolia Plantation, and these have been a tourist attraction for over 100 years, and some of the details date back to the plantations creation, making them the oldest unrestored gardens in the United States. Discover Middleton Place National Historic Landmark with a unique VIP experience. The original house was ransacked by the British but survived the Revolutionary War. 1:18. and these links are all included below in this post. If you want to do all the extra tours and spend the whole day, Id recommend getting the inclusive pass (if offered, not always available) during your visit as it saves you about $8.00 on the total cost. Call 843-766-2080 for reservations or book online. The Inn at Middleton Place has wheelchair accessible rooms. Not at all. It is also possible to reach Boone Hall Plantation by taking public buses; however, it takes a long time and requires a 25 minute walk from the final bus stop. Of course, slavery wasnt limited to plantations and rural life. Most of the Charleston plantation homes and other historical buildings are not wheelchair accessible. Website: https://charlestonteagarden.com/ Slavery Information: A regular guided walking tour is offered called Beyond the Fields which focuses on the everyday life and culture of the enslaved workers. Which plantations are closest to downtown Charleston? Call 843-804-9933 for reservations or book online. The main house can only be visited on a guided tour, but the grounds, gallery, caretakers house exhibit, and cemetery are self-guided. I am a native Charlestonian I moved away for university and only visit for holidays and such. few working plantations you can visit in South Carolina and it is the only large commercial tea plantation in the United States. 8. Food: There are two year-round places to get food here. To see a working plantation near Charleston, we recommend visiting either the Charleston Tea Garden or Boone Hall Plantation. If you are visiting the Charleston plantations in the Spring, summer, or early Fall, we recommend taking along. Main House Furnishings: The house is largely unfurnished and has been conserved and preserved rather than restored to allow visitors (and researchers) to be able to see the original construction, materials, and architecture. So if you know this before you go, you wont be disappointed! circa 1705. Part of the house is believed to be from a pre-Revolutionary War hunting lodge owned by the Draytons in Summerville that was floated downriver to the current location. Visitors can tour the original plantation house and contrast it with the living conditions in the slave quarters. During the presentation, Gullah Geechee descendants share their history, allowing guests to experience their enlightening and moving storytelling, song, and dance firsthand. The plantation was used to grow indigo and cotton, and to raise cattle. You might also consider checking out books about South Carolinas plantations and historic homes. The Drayton family, owners also of the previously described Magnolia Plantation, owned a huge network of commercial plantations in South Carolina and Georgia. The only plantation house that is currently open to wheelchair users is McLeod Plantation Historic Site. All plantations allow you to purchase admission and tour tickets in person on arrival. Check out TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT to help plan your day. The restaurant, stableyards, Museum Shop, and garden center are wheelchair accessible, and there are disabled parking spaces and wheelchair accessible bathrooms. Gift Shop: There is a gift shop located in the Visitor Center. Inside 526. For the most part, these tours consist of bus or van transportation to the plantation, usually with the price of admission to some or all of the plantations attractions included in the price of the ticket. See theirlistings for Charleston here. These later changes were made to make the house appear more grand. One large source of narratives comes from the interviews from the Slave Narrative Project that were collected by writers from hundreds of former slaves by the Works Progress Administration from 1936 to 1938. All of the plantations offer discounts for younger children, and some also offer discounts for AAA membership, senior citizens, or local residents. The terraced gardens contain a wide variety of flowers and trees. If you have time, we recommend stopping at the nearby Charles Pinckney National Historic Site run by the National Parks Service. Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm. Neither McLeod Plantation or Charleston Tea Garden offer food, although Charleston offers free tea tastings and both sell snacks in their respective gift shops. We recommend choosing 2 or 3 of the following: McLeod Plantation Historic Site, Magnolia Plantation, Drayton Hall, and Middleton Place. Opened to the public in 2015, visitors can take a guided or self-guided interpretive tour of the site to learn more about the daily lives of the enslaved, Gullah culture, the lives of African Americans after the Civil War, and the cultivation of the land, particularly the growing of cotton. Located on the Ashley River, this property boasts an impressive main house and beautiful landscape. Cotton and indigo were both grown here, and Boone Hall became one of the lead producers of pecans in the United States in the late 19th century. During the Civil War, Union troops set fire to the second house here in 1865, burning it to the ground. Please pay it forward. That two-storey house was demolished and the current house was built in its place in 1936 by former Canadian ambassador Thomas Stone and incorporates materials from the plantations old farm structures and salvaged historic bricks from the area. If you are visiting other attractions in Charleston, we recommend. The McLeods grew cotton until 1922 when the crop was wiped out by the boll weevil. Fresh produce is available to purchase at the Boone Hall Farms Market near the plantation. 4300 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC 29414 Regular. Copyright 2013 - 2023, Charleston Plantations Guide: 6 Plantations near Charleston South Carolina, Visiting the Charleston Plantations in South Carolina. Don't miss out on our exclusive monthly giveaways with lots of fun travel and photography related prizes! Currently about a half a dozen plantations near Charleston are open to visitors. The simplest option is to bring or rent a car. If you have limited mobility or are traveling with someone with limited mobility or special needs, be sure that the things you want to see can be accessed. Now, we take a detailed look at each of the six Charleston plantations, listed in no particular order: Magnolia Plantation is one of the most visited plantations near Charleston. Two beautiful plantation venues are offered. Please scroll to the end to leave a comment. The slave cabins interiors are also not wheelchair accessible and each requires 2 to 3 steps. If you have an interest in birds, you may want to join the Sunday Bird Walks that are led by a local ornithologist. The paths throughout the grounds and gardens are partially wheelchair accessible but some are sand or grass which can be difficult for wheelchair users. oday, the plantation is often considered the oldest working plantation in the country, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, strawberries, pumpkins, peaches, peppers, and asparagus. Yes, photography is allowed everywhere except in the House Museum. Main House Furnishings: The first floor of the house is furnished with antiques and period sympathetic pieces to resemble an antebellum planters home, but the furnishings are not from the original antebellum house. Website: https://ccprc.com/1447/McLeod-Plantation-Historic-Site Many of these are either private residences or being used as private hire wedding and event spaces such as Lowndes Grove Plantation. Each Charleston Plantation Tour offers a unique, breathtaking glimpse into the past that cant truly be appreciated through the pages of a book. But you can also grab a quick bite from the Garden Market. Main Cash Crop: Rice It is, of course, not the only Charleston plantation that includes good information on slavery or Gullah culture, but it is the only one in the area to focus on it almost exclusively. It is also the only plantation to offer on-site lodging, and this is an ideal place for visitors to stay who want a peaceful spot to stay outside of Charleston. At certain times of the year, visitors can even pick their own basket of fruit as part of the U-Pick-Em business. 4300 Ashley River Road Charleston, SC 29414, General Admission to Middleton Place Gardens and Stableyards. Most tour prices include your transport, a guide, and entry into the visited plantations. Main House Furnishings: N/A In 2003, David and Eunice Bigelow, of the Bigelow Tea Company, purchased the plantation from Hall. Daily tours are included in General Admission. It is notable to point out that the first museum in the United States to focus on slavery was Whitney Plantation in Louisiana which only opened to the public in 2014. Main House Furnishings: The house is fully furnished with furniture, household objects, art, and early American antiques from the Drayton family who have owned the plantation since 1676. Magnolia Plantation is known for its well-preserved Romantic Style garden, which is designed to be an oasis away from the city. We visited in late January so the temperature was cool and crowds were low, but it was not the best time for the gardens. :: So you may want to also consider booking a day tour that includes transport and admission prices which often costs less than going by taxi. The cafe, petting zoo, boat tours, garden center, theater, Audubon Swamp, and most of the garden pathways are wheelchair accessible. There is also a slave cemetery that was re-discovered in 1996 which contains about 100 graves of people who are likely slaves at McLeod although much is unknown about the site and burials here. Yours is the best and most comprehensive article/guide Ive seen on the Charleston plantations! Learn about the establishment of each unique plantation, their complex history, and how their presence inspired local development and culture. . We visited McLeod when we went a couple of years back. No, although a limited selection of snacks and drinks are available for purchase in gift shop. If you have your own car, you could theoretically visit multiple plantations in a full day. The best plantations for those interested in seeing period furnishings, antiques, and family heirlooms from the antebellum period would be Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation. It should also be noted that former slaves and their descendants continued to live and work on most of the Charleston area plantations after Emancipation and well into the mid and late 20th century. Want to keep up to date with us and our latest travel tips? They founded the city, then called Charles Town, and set up large plantations around the outskirts. Since 2018, the plantation museum has opened a new visitor center, exhibition space, garden, and a cafe. Photography Allowed: Photography is allowed everywhere except inside the main house. The shuttle that takes visitors to the slave cabins and the nature trolley are both wheelchair accessible using ramps. Although it doesnt have an original house on site, it does have a number of antebellum outbuildings including well-preserved brick slave cabins and is well-known for its Gullah cultural program. Wander the gardens among centuries old Camilla, Magnolia, Oak, and roses. Call 843-762-0088 for reservations or book online. Some notable features are the sundial garden, the abundance of camellias and azaleas, and the Middleton Oak (large old live oak tree). Spend your day outside of downtown Charleston visiting these three neighboring plantations that are just down the road from one another. Fabulous write up. If youre an eager student of architecture or history buff, this sprawling plantation tour provides a look at the foundation and evolution of life in the Lowcountry. See & hear how tea is grown and made. Private customizable tour of Charleston area plantations, also available in French. Guided Garden Tours. Finally, see history come alive at Middleton Place, home to some of Americas oldest and most significant landscaped gardens. Middleton Place would go through a lot of troubling times. Book Soon! Daily operations at Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens are posted at the entrance and are clearly visible when purchasing admission to the plantation. There are also free 15-minute video-guided factory tours where you can see how the tea is processed. Pineapple Tour Group offers an all-inclusive package that includes transportation in a luxury coach from Downtown Charleston along with a Low Country luncheon at the Middleton Place Restaurant and plenty of time to explore all Middleton Place has to offer. We recommend watching the 30 minute introduction video to start your visit. The second house completed in 1811 was burned by the Union troops in 1865 during the Civil War. I think these additional attractions and services really make it a much more engaging stop and allow visitors to spend more time here. Charleston became one of the wealthiest and most powerful cities in the United States, largely due to vast incomes made through the plantation system and slavery. I think a lot of people see a photo of the house and assume that it an antebellum house and that they will get to fully explore the inside of the house. Boone Hall is also closed for regular tour operations on three other days during the year when special events are being presented. Magnolia Plantation3550 Ashley River RdCharleston SC 29414. If you have specific needs or questions about accessibility at a plantation, Id call in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment and to make any special arrangements as needed. Brick making was also an important source of income throughout much of the 19th century. May we send you offers from our partners? The Drayton family decided to sell Drayton Hall to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the State of South Carolina in 1974. The Charleston Tea Plantation was founded by Mack Fleming and William Barclay Hall, a third-generation tea taster in 1987. Visitors can view exhibits, watch a short film, and walk along the half-mile trail that runs through the farm. If you prefer to stay in downtown Charleston, we recommend visiting one or two of Charlestons historic homes instead. Photography Allowed: Yes What else is there to do in Charleston South Carolina? Daily tours are included in General Admission. Thanks so much! Then in 1963, Lipton used clippings from the former Pinehurst Tea Plantation to grow tea at a research station on Wadmalaw Island at a former potato farm. Original Date of Main Plantation House: Drayton Hall was established in 1738, and construction of the house was likely completed circa 1750. The Plantation House can only be visited via a guided tour. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival . Private car transportation to the plantation, then a tour of the property. Louisiana plantations along the River Road, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charleston Downtown/Riverview, https://ccprc.com/1447/McLeod-Plantation-Historic-Site, Vatican Post Guide: How to Send Mail from the Vatican, 15 Best Travel Journals for Travelers Guide to Choosing the Perfect Travel Journal, Slum Tourism: 17 Responsible Travel Guidelines for Travelers, Nairobi Travel Guide: 24 Top Things to do in Nairobi Kenya, Guide to Visiting Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Remember that all of the plantations are located outside of Charleston, so you will need to either drive or arrange transportation. Hampton Plantation State Historic Site is a 300-acre colonial-era rice plantation established in 1735. From the beautiful oak framed entrance to the working gardens, youll become enthralled with its grandeur. Are there any tours that emphasize the way rooms have almost invisible access points that enslaved people used for coming and going as they served those that owned them? If you are interested in visiting the winery and distillery as well, you might consider this tour which allows you to sample as much as you wish without having to drive. They were also one of the few brickmaking producers still operating after the Civil War. McLeod Plantation, a 37-acre Gullah/Geechee heritage site, is a living tribute to the men and women whose stories are essential to understanding Charlestons complex past. These classical gardens were inspired by the gardens of England and France in the 18th century. The site's vision is to interpret the legacy of slavery, where slavery took . Most of the others were destroyed or have been heavily restored or reconstructed. There is also information and objects related to slavery and the lives of African American at Drayton Hall in the Visitor Center and Gates Gallery. Your privacy matters to us. The plantation, which has been a working farm for more than 300 years, is open to the public for tours of its home, grounds, and the cabins of its enslaved laborers. These houses were built and lived in by the rich merchants, politicians, and plantation-owning families of antebellum Charleston. Each of the Charleston plantations offer different experiences. Experience the rich history of the Lowcountry for yourself with a Charleston Plantation Tour that takes you on a tour through time. What are people saying about tours in Charleston, SC? Published annually, the official Charleston Visitors Guide is full of gorgeous photography, insider tips, maps, and resources to help you plan your Charleston vacation. Listen to moving stories and songs from true descendants of the Gullah Geechee people. Then a second two-story frame house with a one-story front porch was built later. Be sure to be keep children within eyesight when exploring. Website:www.boonehallplantation.com We recommend wearing light-colored loose and comfortable clothing made of breathable fabrics. Most plantations dont take timed reservations in advance, but most do allow you to book your admission tickets in advance online. that can be seen in the Gates Gallery, including items owned by the Drayton family. Tours/Tour Guides: The main tour here is the Trolley Tour which is a 40 minute guided our of the plantation via a historical trolley. The plantation was once the home of Arthur Middleton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The focus on African American history, Gullah culture, and land cultivation. Be prepared for the South Carolina heat and humidity, particularly if you are visiting in the summer months. We visited Drayton Hall prior to all the recent additions and development, and at that time there was just the guided house tour and the grounds to explore. It's easy to forget that these preserved plantations and gardens are just minutes from the hustle and crowds of downtown Charleston. Walk upon well-trodden soil that produced indigo, rice and cotton. There are a variety of complimentary guided tours included with admission: a Garden Overview, Meet the Breeds (an introduction to heritage animal breeds), Beyond the Fields (black culture and slavery), and various seasonal Nature Walks. Daily outdoor tours reveal three centuries of stories of men and women, free and enslaved, who participated in the building and the stewardship of this American icon. $120 per person. Those events are the Lowcountry Oyster Festival, usually presented the last Sunday in January, The Scottish Games . Learn why the breeds were originally brought here in the 18th and 19th centuries, how each breed contributed to the plantation, and stories about the people who owned and cared for them. (duration: 40 minutes, not a walking tour). More details, Middleton Place, 4hrs With Linda Wohlfeil Jones, Exclusively Charleston. No drones allowed on site. Charleston's best bus touring company offering plantation tours to 2 of the top plantations! A number of Lowcountry plantations continued to grow the prized Sea Island cotton; however, a boll weevil infestation in the 1920s virtually wiped out cotton crops throughout the southern United States. Please note that this historic structure has limited handicap accessibility. He created a series of romantic gardens while recovering from tuberculosis to help his new wife Julia from Philadelphia feel more at home. These plantations were run using generations of enslaved people and visiting can be upsetting or cathartic for their descendants and other visitors. Beautiful landscaped gardens were designed and planted by Henry Middleton in the 1740s but these would be ruined and largely neglected after the Civil War. The house is largely unfurnished and has been conserved and preserved rather than restored to allow visitors (and researchers) to be able to see the original construction, materials, and architecture. Magnolia Plantation Tour, 4hrs30 With Adventure Sightseeing. There are several day tours that offer round-trip transport from downtown Charleston. The trolley tour requires 4 steps to get into and out of the trolley. Its Black History in America exhibit, staged throughout nine of the estates historic dwellings, illustrates different periods from slave ships arriving to the struggle for civil rights up to present day. Drayton Hall, built in 1738, is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America still open to the public. The closest is probably Boone Hall with its pretty oak alley and brick Colonial Revival mansion house, but the house only dates to the 1930s. In the city of Charleston, slave labor was used to built many of the houses, schools, government buildings, and churches, to do factory work, and to perform domestic duties in the homes of the wealthy. Admission to the plantation is not included. The Restaurant is open for dinner 5:00-8:30pm Wednesday-Saturday. There are a variety of complimentary guided tours included with admission: a Garden Overview, Meet the Breeds (an introduction to heritage animal breeds), Beyond the Fields (black culture and slavery), and various seasonal Nature Walks. Elizas House requires 4 steps to enter. McLeod Plantation 325 Country Club Dr Charleston SC 29412 (843) 762-9514 McLeod Plantation Website McLeod Plantation Park Map. Boone Hall is one of the oldest continuously working farms in the country, and has been producing crops for over 300 years. Another option is to book a day tour that visits one or more plantations, you can see a list of local tours here on Viator and here on GetYourGuide. Come see why Travel and Leisure called Magnolia One of Americas Most Beautiful Gardens and why were consistently ranked among the top attractions in Charleston! Boone Hall Plantation was founded in 1681 by John Boone and the Boone family lived here until 1811. These include Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, and the Grove Plantation House at the Ernest F Hollings ACE Basin. Additional tours offered include a Nature Tram tour of the plantations flora and fauna, a Nature Boat ride around the former rice fields, and a Slavery to Freedom tour that explores the former slave cabins, the African-American experience at Magnolia, and Gullah culture. Charleston, SC tours@charlestonhistorytours..com (843) 901 . The gardens were first opened to the public in the 1870s, making them the oldest public tourist attraction in the South Carolina Lowcountry. This oak alley has been featured in films like The Notebook. . Yes, there is the Butterfly Caf which offers a limited selection of sandwiches, snacks, ice cream, coffee, and drinks. Two flankers (dependencies) were built to the north and south around 1755. With 40 percent of all the enslaved who were brought to America coming through the Holy City, many ended up at the plantations that are now historic destinations. Reservations are not required for lunch. that can be seen in the Gates Gallery, including items owned by the Drayton family.

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