Visiting Plantations and Spectacular Gardens in Charleston

(Charleston, SC)  A visit to Charleston would not be complete without taking a trip to a plantation or garden. There are so many choices.  A local woman we met suggested seeing Drayton Hall and the Magnolia Gardens.  They are located very close to each other and Drayton Hall was in nearly original condition. 

It was about an hour from the base and once off the highway a nice drive.  Upon arrival to the plantation you drive down a long road lined with trees and draped in Spanish moss.. 

Drive leading to Drayton Hall



It was built in 1738 as a "summer home" for John Drayton.   Seven generations of Drayton and slaves (over 150) have lived here. The architecture is Georgian - Palladian and took over four years to build. At one time is was a rice plantation and even a site for strip mining.  

The home was very stately and the only plantation along the Ashley River to survive the destruction of Sherman's army.  It has also weathered numerous hurricanes.  Our tour guide (Bob) met us under a huge live oak tree and told us many stories about the house and its occupants.  He is the senior guide for the plantation and was a walking, talking encyclopedia.  He was over 80 years old, and prided himself on riding out all hurricanes including Hugo. Bob was almost as interesting as the house. 

Our tour guide - Bob

The plantation  has not been restored and does not have electricity, lighting or central heating. Nor is the home furnished. Plans for now are to keep the home in its original state and prevent deterioration. 

Here are a few examples of the beautiful craftsmanship.

After the tour you can take two self guide walks around the grounds.  John took a marsh walk with Jimmy out to the Ashley River  I choice to listen to another guide talk about slavery.  It was very interesting and she spoke specifically about the slaves at this plantation.  Working in a rice field was very difficult and a constant battle with overcoming nature.  One freed slave came back later and helped restore the home when it became a trust of the state and he is buried on the property in the slave cemetery. 

It wss a very interesting tour.  Afterwards we drove about 10 minutes down Ashley River Road to the Magnolia Gardens and plantation which are still owned by the Drayton family.  Another long drive led us down to the gardens. 

We decided to only visit the gardens.  However, the house really is lovely.  The original home had been destoryed by Sherman's army and this one was built after the war.

The gardens were spectacular and this was during the winter.  In the spring, it must be breathtaking when all the magnolia's are in bloom. 

Here are a few pictures of the gardens.  You almost need a GPS to keep from getting lost  Jimmy enjoyed walking the trails with us.   

Rev. John Drayton was primarily responsible for how the gardens look today.  He was a minister at the St. Andrews Church and often prepared his sermons sitting by this tree looking out over the Ashely River. He said it was here that he felt closest to God.

As you enter the garden you see the following quote by Whittier

"Give fools their gold and knows their power

Let fortunes bubbles rise and fall

Who sows a field or trains a flower

or plants a tree, is more than all