Drayton Hall

Woke up to rain this morning so now is a good time to relate to you our explorations yesterday then get back to doing the laundry and dusting -- a woman's work is never done!

Yesterday we decided to visit a plantation and then maybe go out to Fort Sumpter. Drayton Hall has been part of the Joh Drayton family for 7 generations until it was sold to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The goal of the Drayton family was to preserve this home in its original condition so they never added electricity, heating, plumbing or air-conditioning. Even into the 1970's they would stay at the home and use only lanterns or candles, a wood stove, an icebox - literally a box with ice, and the privy which has a fireplace and seven holes of various heights, two with arm rests.

The land was purchased in 1738 and the house was completed in 1741 by John Drayton. He bought 350 acres on which to build this house and grow crops but he eventually owned over 75,000 acres of land, including the plantations on either side of his original. Of course, slaves were used to run everything. The grounds show evidence of vast gardens, a green house and several out buildings most likely used as kitchens, guest cottages or places for the Drayton's to conduct business. The house is made of brick, including the interior walls. The floors were pine planks and the walls were of cypress paneling painted in blues and yellows. Experts think the walls were painted only 3 times in almost 300 years. The only alterations in the building and on the grounds were those made by the family. One major one, done in the mid 1800's was a new ceiling in the main entry room. The main entry area was flanked by a parlor and office on one side and the family living room and dining room on the other side. The second floor was accessed by a double staircase and had a large room for entertaining and two sitting rooms on one side with two bedrooms on the other side. A hidden, very narrow stairway was used by the servants. The kitchen was probably in another building but its possible they did some cooking in the basement. The basement was an above ground basement and was used mainly for storage.

Plantations were most often built along the river as this was the most efficient way to transport goods to the ships in Charleston. It took only 3.5 hours by boat to travel to Charleston and all day by carriage.

We were advised by several friends to dine at the best restaurant in Charleston, called "Husk", but we could not get in for either lunch or dinner so we ate at the second best - "82 Queen". We shared the She Crab Soup (outstanding!), John had the southern burger topped with pimento cheese, bacon and caramelized onions, while I had shrimp and grits, a traditional SC dish. Lunch took too long so we missed the last boat out to Fort Sumpter.

Instead we toured The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon. This building was completed in 1771 and used for public meetings, entertainment and customs collections. Thru the years it was used as a prison (provost), post office, and political office. But it is most famous for its uses during the Revolutionary War. The SC delegates signed the Constitution here and George Washington was a guest at one time.