While we stayed at Parris Island, South Carolina, a Marine Corp Base, we took a day trip to check out the plantations around Charleston. We decided to see two completely different types. We are so glad we did. The "Gone with the Wind" Plantations that we have all thought to be true, aren't exactly the way it was.
Some things I didn't know about plantation names. Most of the plantations were named after the person who first started building them. In some cases they died before they were ever finished but they kept the name. So if I was to build a home or even a plantation I would refer to it as the "Barsegian Hall or House". I guess they didn't have postal addresses back then so they had to identify the property in some way.
Another thing I found out was that the number one crop in South Carolina was rice and indigo at that time. It was rice that made Charleston the wealthiest city in the country at the time... not cotton. Rice grown in South Carolina became know as "Carolina Gold".
Normally the wealthy plantation owners, known as planters, did not live on the plantations. Plantations were too isolated, no social life, and didn't have the conveniences of the cities. However, most plantation owners were not very rich and did live on their plantations.
The first place we went to see is called Drayton Hall. Drayton Hall is the oldest unrestored plantation in the America open to the public. They believe in preservation not restoration and I couldn't agree more.
Built between 1738 and 1742, Drayton hall is often described as the most significant surviving building in the British North America.
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| The beautiful oak tree canopy road that leads to the house |
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| New Plantation Owner...Preston Hall ! Has a ring to it wouldn't you say ! |
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| Nothing restored..original paint |
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| They way it has always been |
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| The room that is called the "Hall" |
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| View from the hall looking back at entrance |
The next plantation we checked out was Boone Hall. The plantation was established in 1681 by Englishman Major John Boone. In 1743, his son planted live oak trees, arranging them in two evenly spaced rows . This spectacular approach to his home became a symbol of Southern heritage.
The original home is no longer there. The mansion that exists on Boone Hall Plantation was built in 1936 by Canadian ambassador Thomas Stone. We were disappointed that this house was built relatively recent. The best part of this plantation was the history of the slaves and their story.
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| Rows of Oak trees with Spanish moss hanging as you approach |
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| House on Boone Hall Plantation built in 1936 |
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| The house was featured in the movie "Notebook" |
This was known as slave street. They are the original slave quarters on this plantation.
They had a wonderful presentation on the Gullah Culture which was brought over from Africa 330 years ago. The culture and the descendents carry on that legacy to this day. The highlight of our trip to Boone Hall was the drumming and the very interesting story teller.
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| Tammy this is for you! Andy said you would have volunteered for the drumming |
Andy is done with bridges!!! A lot of them in this part of the country. Wait till we drive the road to Key West. lol
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| Bridge to Georgia..Andy was freaking . |
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| Good night South Carolina. Thank you for the great time and views ! |
We took another day trip to Savannah, Georgia. Glad we did ! We took a tour of the historic part of the city and it was wonderful. Andy couldn't hear the tour guide so I mostly explained the high points to her. I guess you could say "I was Andy's tour guide". I want paid !!
After the tour we decided just to walk around and spend more time in the places we saw during the tour. Andy thought this was the most beautiful city she has seen. I'm lucky she just didn't decide to stay!!
Chippewa Square was laid out in 1855 and is named in honor of the American soldiers killed in the battle of Chippawa during the war of 1812. In the center of the square is a statue of the Georgia founder General Oglethorpe.
This square is also where Forrest Gump sat on the "park bench" in the opening scene of the movie. It is where he was talking to different people while waiting for the bus. There never was a bench there. It was just a movie prop which was taken away after the scene. Now, I have to see that movie again. It will be good to see Dennis F too ! LOL
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| Andy with her gnome where the Park Bench "never was". |
The 20-foot tall statue pays tribute to Florence Martus (1869-1943), who for some reason greeted every ship that entered the port of Savannah from 1887 to 1931 by waving to it. Some say she was waving to her long lost sweetheart who never returned.
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| Waving Girl Statue |
The Sergeant William Jasper Monument, unveiled in 1888, memorializes the Georgia Revolutionary War hero killed at the Siege of Savannah in October 1779 while attempting to rescue the colors of the regiment.
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| Madison Square - Sergeant Jasper |
Some of the homes that were build from the rice, cotton and railroad money. Most of the wealthy plantation owners in the area lived in the city not out on the plantations.
Andy here. I was very excited to get to hook up with my cousin Laurie while in Savannah. We haven't seen each other in 16+ years and probably only 6 times before that. Super crazy aspect of this is that she lives in Alaska & you all know where I live! Thank you Facebook...hoping to maybe see her again in Feb. We had a delightful lunch at Crystal Beer Parlor which is the 2nd oldest restaurant in Savannah. One of the very best parts about this adventure is seeing family & friends along the way that I haven't seen in years!!
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| My Cousin Laurie & I |
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