DRAYTON HALL – JOHN DRAYTON’S BRICK BUILDING
The huge two-story brick building in Charleston was built between 1738 and 1742 by John Drayton, a member of the Council of the British Crown. It is the only residential building along the Ashley River that was not vandalized by Union Army troops in 1865.
According to ask4beauty, SC Scenic Highway 61, about eight miles after intersection with US 17 in Charleston, 3380 Ashley River Rd. (843) 766-0188, Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., guided tours at every full Hour, admission $ 18 (including guided tour of the house), children 12-18 years old $ 8, 6-11 years old $ 6, free under five, “Connections: Africans, Europeans, and Americans,” a program About the Afro-Americans from the 18th to the 20th century is also shown at 11.15 and 14:15, Tel. 843-769-2600, house description in German can be purchased.
Today the “National Trust for Historic Preservation” and the state of South Carolina share ownership. This landmark is considered to be one of the finest examples of Colonial Palladian architecture in the United States.
The house is almost in its original condition from the time it was built (preserved but not restored), even in the 20th century – apart from safety precautions – no changes were made. There is no facility (15 rooms). What is interesting, however, are the architecture and building art, which are brought to life through the stories of the professional guides. So the visitor should develop imagination. There are walking paths through the garden and marshland and along the river.
FORT SUMTER NATIONAL MONUMENT
At Fort Sumter National Monument you stand on historical ground. Charleston is one of the places where American history began. The first shots of the American Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter on April 12th and 13th, 1861.
Fort Sumter is only accessible by boats from the City Marina on Lockwood Blvd. or from Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, three times a day during the season; the boat trip is $ 10.50 and $ 5.50 for children under 12. There is no visitor center on the island, but there is a museum and rangers who are willing to provide information. A history tape tells you about the history of the fort on the boat trip. The boat trip there and back takes 35 minutes each, the recommended stay on the island is 1 hour, so the entire trip takes around 2 hours 15 minutes.
Here you stand on historical ground. Charleston is one of the places where American history began. The first shots of the American Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter on April 12th and 13th, 1861. After a 34-hour battle, the troops of the Union (= USA, the Union, the United States of America) surrendered the fort to the Confederates (= CSA, the Confederation, the eleven southern states that had left the Union). It was a battle without much blood because there were no dead and few injured. From 1863 to 1865, the Confederates held out a 22-month siege by Union troops. During this time, the fort was largely destroyed. It was one of the heaviest bombings in earth history. More than 3,500 tons of metal were shot. On April 17, 1865, the Confederates finally left the island without surrendering; the war was lost.
MAGNOLIA PLANTATION AND GARDENS
The house from the time of reconstruction is open for guided tours. On the premises there is the ” Barbados Tropical Garden “, a petting zoo, a tower for observing game, a gallery whose pictures are based on nature motifs, a garden in which sculptures cut from bushes and trees can be seen, a maze and a slave hut from before the war of independence.
The world famous 300 year old neighboring Drayton Hall Plantation has been in the family since the arrival of Thomas Drayton from Barbados in 1671. It has the oldest (around 1680) English garden in the country, which is laid out in such a way that it produces colorful flowers all year round. There are 250 types of azaleas and 900 types of camellia. The best time to visit is therefore spring. A railroad can take you through parts of the garden.
Audubon Swamp Garden
You can visit this “blooming swamp” on a 45-minute walk. For this you have to pay another entry, namely half the entry for Magnolia Plantation. Boardwalks and bridges run through the water where the film “The Swamp Thing” was filmed, one of the first 3-D films.
MIDDLETON PLACE GARDENS – THE LIVING MUSEUM
In Middleton Place Gardens, America’s oldest formal garden (around 1741) rises from the river in spacious terraces with two ponds at the foot.
- SC Scenic Highway 61 in Charleston, (843) 556-6020 (800) 782-3608
- Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Admission $ 25, student $ 15, 6-13 years of age $ 10, including free, visit to the apartment building an additional $ 10 (no photography permit in the building) Combo ticket with Edmondston-Alston House $ 44.
- Official website: www.middletonplace.org.
Winding paths and extensive plantings of camellias, azaleas, roses and magnolias set accents in the French and English garden designs. 100 slaves are said to have worked on this garden complex for 10 years. The entrance fee includes a visit to the stables of the plantation, which together with domestic animals, poultry and “human employees” form a living open-air museum (farriers, spinning, weaving, grain grinding). This area also includes Eliza’s House, the home of freed slaves who lived on the Middleton Place rice plantation. The Middleton Place House Museum is the ancestral home of Henry Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress, his son Arthur, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, his grandson Henry.
PATRIOTS POINT – THE WORLD’S LARGEST NAVAL MUSEUM
The world’s largest naval museum at Patriots Point is a rarity in American shipping. Consisting of four ships, it amazes the guests.
Here you will find the world’s largest naval museum, a must for those interested, consisting of four ships:
- Yorktown aircraft carrier
- A gigantic, unmistakable appearance, 271 meters long with space for 90 aircraft and a 3,000-strong crew; first used in Asia during World War II; daily screening of the documentary “The Fighting Lady”; also used during the Cold War and in Vietnam; in 1968, Yorktown fished the crew of Apollo 8, the first manned flight around the moon; numerous other exhibitions.
- Destroyer Laffey
- Submarine Clamagore
- Coast Guard Boat Ingham