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Old 07-20-2009, 05:51 PM
 
Location: Charlotte, NC
198 posts, read 638,873 times
Reputation: 153

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Hello Charlestonians! I know you must get these questions all the time, but I couldn't find quite what I was looking for with the Search function.

My husband is taking me to Charleston this weekend for my birthday. We used to live in Savannah, but for some reason never visited Charleston, so we've been looking forward to this for a while.

He's a big Civil War buff, so we're definitely going to Fort Sumpter. I'd love to take a horsedrawn carriage tour, and I've heard the Old South Carriage Company is a good way to go. Agree/disagree?

I've heard that there are old southern plantations in the area that are open for visitors, and I'd really like to tour one of them. I see several listed among Charleston attractions, but some of the descriptions confuse me -- they seem to be described almost as botanical gardens. I don't mind a few flowers here and there, but I was hoping to visit a plantation that remained fairly intact, so I could see what living conditions were like back when the plantation was in operation. Does something like that exist?

Thanks so much! I'm hoping for good weather and can't wait for the weekend.
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Old 07-20-2009, 06:23 PM
 
4,465 posts, read 7,965,720 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ECM08 View Post
Hello Charlestonians! I know you must get these questions all the time, but I couldn't find quite what I was looking for with the Search function.

My husband is taking me to Charleston this weekend for my birthday. We used to live in Savannah, but for some reason never visited Charleston, so we've been looking forward to this for a while.

He's a big Civil War buff, so we're definitely going to Fort Sumpter. I'd love to take a horsedrawn carriage tour, and I've heard the Old South Carriage Company is a good way to go. Agree/disagree?

I've heard that there are old southern plantations in the area that are open for visitors, and I'd really like to tour one of them. I see several listed among Charleston attractions, but some of the descriptions confuse me -- they seem to be described almost as botanical gardens. I don't mind a few flowers here and there, but I was hoping to visit a plantation that remained fairly intact, so I could see what living conditions were like back when the plantation was in operation. Does something like that exist?

Thanks so much! I'm hoping for good weather and can't wait for the weekend.
First question:

No.

Last working rice plantation was owned by a relative: went kaput circa 1899 (storms and "freshets"); also competition from Arkansas rice.

Second question:

See NOAA Weather.
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Old 07-20-2009, 06:54 PM
 
Location: Shaker Heights, OH
5,255 posts, read 5,177,381 times
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Drayton Hall may be the one you'd be most interested in, but the Plantation house isn't furnished anymore...it does have some old slave quarters I believe....my favorite is Middleton Place...it has both great gardens (plus the butterfly lakes) and is in a beautiful setting up on the Ashley River....Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is the one w/ all the beautiful gardens.
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Old 07-20-2009, 06:58 PM
 
43 posts, read 163,720 times
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Boone Hall was built in the 1930's by some Canadian who didn't think the original house was fancy enough.

Middleton Place is actually just the guest wing of once was a much larger structure which was burned in 1865 by the Yankees.

Magnolia was built in 1873 once the plantation had been turned into a tourist attraction.

Drayton Hall dates from 1742 and is a good bet.

There's a lot of Civil (and Revolutionary) War history here in addition to Fort Sumter. Enjoy your trip.
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Old 07-20-2009, 07:34 PM
 
Location: Summerville
890 posts, read 4,314,420 times
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I have toured all the historic homes downtown and enjoyed them far more than any of the plantations. I would recommend the Heyward-Washington House and the Aiken-Rhett House, which is an self audio tour (you wear headphones) which was pretty interesting.
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Old 07-20-2009, 11:34 PM
 
Location: Charleston, SC
2,501 posts, read 7,730,642 times
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My favorite is Middleton Plantation on Hwy. 61. You tour part of the house, gardens, a little chapel, and the stableyard where there are people dressed in period costumes practicing the trades of the time, which kept the plantation running smoothly. There are also farm animals in pens and pastures. All the local plantations have charm, but this is the one I usually take visitors to. They also have a nice gift shop and produce/plant market.
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Old 07-21-2009, 07:17 AM
 
3,145 posts, read 5,928,490 times
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I'd suggest Middleton or Boone Hall. As for beauty, Middleton tops them all...but you don't get to see the plantation house as it has long been gone. You do, however get to tour one of the two remaining "flanker" houses where guests stayed. Boone Hall is very nice, but the current house was built in the 1930s.

Drayton Hall is one of the few original plantation homes, but it's void of any furnishings and seems very cold...the house leaves alot to the imagination.
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Old 07-22-2009, 07:20 AM
 
Location: Charlotte, NC
198 posts, read 638,873 times
Reputation: 153
Thanks so much, everyone, for your comments! I'm really looking forward to the weekend and visiting your beautiful city. Now if the thunderstorms will just hold off ...

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Old 07-22-2009, 09:52 AM
 
1,710 posts, read 5,659,304 times
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The thunderstorms only last 15-30 minutes and not all areas see them. Go and have fun! If you go to the plantations you may want to carry bug spray. Just in case the mosquitos or no-see-ums are out.

No-see-ums are tiny biting flies that often live near water. ... Biting midges are called no-see-ums because they're so tiny that it is hard to see 'um.
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Old 07-24-2009, 08:26 PM
 
416 posts, read 1,626,714 times
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my favorite by far is also middleton place....
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