After breakfast, we were in the bus to visit two outstanding sites, both on the Ashley river, about a half hour’s drive from Charleston.
The first site was Middleton Place. Built in several phases by the same prestigious Middleton family, the first section was begun in 1730s by John Williams. His son-in-law Henry Middleton, who later served as the President of the First Continental Congress, completed the house’s first section. His son Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born there and his grandson Henry Middleton, oversaw more construction. Williams Middleton, of the next generation, transitioned the place from a country residence to a working rice plantation. In 1865, near the end of the Civil War, the place was gutted by union soldiers and an earthquake in 1886 toppled the walls of the main house and north wing. Restoration of the gardens began in 1916 by descendants of the family and in the early 1970s the gardens were placed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
We were treated to displays of flora and fauna, including alligators and egrets, and later, at the farm we saw sheep, goats, and two farm cats Alfred and Henry. The day was sunny, with highs in the 90s, but the humidity, thankfully, was not excessive
The slave quarters and slave chapel offered unique insights into the business of slavery, a most shameful part of our nation’s history. Plantations had up to 1,000 slaves, who’d learned the skill of planting rice in Africa. Without the knowledge and expertise of these workers, the wealth of the white man would not have been possible.
We had a buffet lunch of local specialties there, including collard greens, green beans with bacon, corn pudding, okra gumbo, pecan infused pork, fried chicken, and pecan pie for dessert.
Our second stop was to the house and gardens of Magnolia Plantation, a ten-minute drive from Middleton Place. Founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, it has the distinction of being the oldest public gardens in America. We did a nature tram tour after visiting the home. The gardens at Middleton Place were manicured but the gardens here were wild and untamed. Most of the blooms come out in spring flowers and we were unable to photograph the interior of the house, since it’s still a private home.
We came back to the hotel to prepare for dinner, which was a buffet in the hotel. I stuck with a lovely green salad and a bit of she-crab soup..and dessert, of course.
Tomorrow is our last day in Charleston – a free day for us. We will be busy ; there is still lots to see and do!
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