OK, a day with Dick Donohoe is anything but rest! We got out on the road early in order to tour two of the plantations on the out-shirts of town. The first stop was Drayton Hall (the grand entrance pictured), one of the few plantation houses still intact. When the union armies came through the south they burned everything in order to break the economic back of the south. Drayton’s plantation house was spared because they hung a yellow flag outside indicating that there was smallpox present...apparently the union just kept on going. It was a wonderful tour and the house although furniture-less, was spectacular (several pictures). Just imagine this 10,000 square foot house decorated to the "nines" in its hayday!
We then proceeded down the Ashley River road to tour the Middleton Plantation. This one was burned to the ground by the Yankees (pictured), but one of the flanking houses survived (pictured with Dick standing in front) and was converted into the Middleton home for generations. This home was furnished and had many very interesting pieces in it. Although we were not allowed to take pictures, there was a handwritten note from Abraham Lincoln permitting one of the Middleton women to travel from Philly to Charleston across military lines during the Civil War...pretty amazing.
Another outstanding feature of this estate was the gardens. They went on for acres and acres (pictured)! One of my favorite places as a small grotto that had 4 statues, one in each corned. Each represented a season (pictured: I am imitating the statue depicting winter, so apropos since I am from Maine!)
After finishing up our plantation tour, we made our way back to Charleston proper by way of the Angel Tree (pictured: thought to be the oldest tree east of the Mississippi at one time). It was humongous, with its heavy branches resting on the ground.
Upon our return, we met Sarah Falt (pictured) who is a dear friend that lives across the street from us in SW Harbor and attends the College of Charleston. She gave us a tour of the campus which is nestled right in downtown Charleston. A beautiful campus! It was so good seeing her.
Thank you Dick for an amazing time in Charleston! Your hospitality was overwhelming, your food sumptuous and your guided tours riveting! I’ll be back, but next time with my family!
Til Tomorrow...
Also Pictured:
- Me on a jungling board. A long wooden bench invented in Charleston that gently bounces and goes to and fro as well.
- A typical Southern Oak with Spanish moss (which is neither from Spain, nor a moss!) hanging from it branches.
- A Typical “single house” with its piazza
- Sarah in front of her dorm, a converted 1960 motel. So out-of-place in Charleston!!
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