Antebellum manor homes, rice
plantations, beautiful gardens, oak-lined drives, and timeless elegance are all
a part of the deep South’s history. Some
of these beautiful plantation homes are still intact with working plantations
for over three centuries. Visiting one
of these beautiful plantations will transport you back to the 18th
century, and they are only a short drive from Myrtle Beach, South
Carolina.
Below are some of South Carolina’s
historic plantations:
Hopesewee Plantation, 94 Hopsewee Road, Georgetown, South
Carolina—Built in 1740, 40 years before the Revolutionary War, this South
Carolina National Historic Landmark is a typical low country rice plantation
dwelling. The beautiful plantation house
features four rooms opening into a wide center hall on each floor, a full brick
cellar and attic rooms. Constructed on a
brick foundation and built of black cypress, it has a beautiful staircase and
hand-carved molding in each room.
Hopesewee Plantation was one of the
South’s major rice plantations and the birthplace of Thomas Lynch, Jr., one of
the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Only five families have ever owned this plantation, and it is currently
a private residence which is open to the public for tours Tuesday through
Saturday. Dining is also available and a
hands-on workshop to learn the history of traditional sweetgrass basket weaving. For more information, got to www.hopeseweeplantation.com.
Boone Hall Plantation, 1235 Long Point Road, Mount Pleasant, South
Carolina—Founded in 1681 by Major John Boone on the banks of Wampacheone Creek,
it is currently one of America’s oldest working, living plantations. In 1743, the son of Major John Boone planted
live oak trees in two evenly spaced rows in front of the plantation house. After two centuries of growth, the massive,
moss-draped branches meet overhead, forming a natural corridor and a “must see
stop” on any trip to Charleston, South Carolina. It is also America’s most photographed
Plantation.
Purchased by the McRae family in 1955,
Mrs. McRae furnished the house with antiques and began giving tours in 1956. The McRae family is proud to present the
history of Major Boone and his family, who were influential in the history of
South Carolina, the colonies and the nation for over 330 years. As guests tour each site on the plantation,
the staff will help them understand the day-to-day activities of life on the
plantation as well as the history of those who lived at Boone Hall. For more information, to
www.boonehallplantation.com.
Mansfield Plantation, 1776 Mansfield Road, Georgetown, South
Carolina—Established in 1718, on the banks of the Black River, Mansfield
Plantation was once one of the largest rice-producing plantations in the
country. A member of the National Register of Historic Places, it covers nearly
1,000 acres of pine forests, rice fields, and cypress swamps, and is one of the
most well-preserved rice plantations in the United States.
Mansfield Plantation is now owned and
operated by the descendent of the original Parker family owners, John Rutledge
Parker, and his wife Sallie Middleton, Jr. Visitors can take a personalized
tour of this authentic, pre-Civil War Plantation home and grounds as well as
have afternoon tea. You can also
experience true 18th century luxury and relaxation by spending a
weekend at the Mansfield Plantation. For
more information, go to www.mansfieldplantation.com. See excerpt from Charleston magazine article
below:
“A national historic landmark, over 900
acres of antebellum authenticity, private entrances, handsome antiques
furnishings, wildlife walks, sports and hunting opportunities galore, and a
sumptuous atmosphere make for a weekend retreat to remember.”
Hampton Plantation, 1950 Rutledge Road, McClellanville, South
Carolina—A National Historic Landmark, Hampton Plantation, built in 1730, is a
Georgian-style mansion tucked away among live oaks and magnolias in the Santee
Delta region. It is the remnants of a
colonial-era rice plantation that stretched as far as the eye could see on the
Wambaw Creek.
Hampton Plantation was also the home of
Archibald Rutledge, South Carolina poet laureate, who gave it to the people of
South Carolina as a legacy. Visitors can
enjoy exploring the plantation’s mansion and visit one of the many historic
cemeteries that are on the Hampton Plantation site. They can also explore the grounds where the
rice fields once were and have a picnic under an old Southern oak tree
overlooking a view similar to what George Washington saw when he stood on the
Hampton family’s portico in 1791. For
more information, go to www.hamptonplantation.com.
If you prefer, you can also go by boat
via Plantation River Tours located at 1950 Wachesaw Road, Murrells Inlet, South
Carolina. The Waccamaw Lady Plantation
River Tour is a 2 to 2-1/2 hour river cruise along the historic Waccamaw River
and plantations. Along the ride you will see rice plantations, trunk gates,
slave cabins, moss-laden oak trees, alligators, eagles and osprey. Your
narrator will be a local historian, educating you on the history, mystery and
legends of the Rice Plantations.
Plantations along the
cruise include:
- Arundel Plantation –
This plantation received its name from Arundel Castle, seat of the Duke of
Norfolk located on the Arun River, Sussex, England.
- Chicora Wood Plantation –
Elizabeth Alston, RFW Allston’s daughter, acquired Chicora Wood after her
mother’s death in 1896.
- Exchange Plantation –
Owned by David McDowell in 1822. May be named because he got it in exchange for
another piece of property.
- Hasty Point Plantation –
Tradition says the plantation was named when General Francis Marion made a
hurried escape from the British during the American Revolution.
- Squirrel Creek Plantation –
The house that stands today is the second house built, the first house burned
between 1827-1841.
- Willbrook Plantation –
The Tucker family was the original owner. Jesse Metcalf, 1936; then sold to the
Hunter family; and then to the Litchfield-by-the-Sea Partnership Inc.
The above information is cited from www.plantationtours.com.
