Ted and I visited Drayton Hall, one of the historic plantations on the Ashley River for the first time today.
Due to a confluence of circumstances of our timing, a day where the heat index was going over 90 F (32 C) so they were limiting traffic in the house, and busloads of other visitors we did not go inside.
Drayton Hall, River Side, Some excavation work being done on lower right side of building
From the front, or at least the more opulent, entrance. I found it odd that there were no gardens or plantings immediately around the house.
Drayton Hall, Framed by a very large live oak tree.
We’ll go back after it cools off a bit here, and the tourist traffic slows.
Strawberry Chapel is rectangular with windows and doors on opposite sides to maximize air flow.
Strawberry Chapel
The number of windows and their ornate design hint at the wealth of those that built it.
Strawberry Chapel
Several of the windows have well fitting shutters. Sadly, many of the original window panes have been broken by vandals.
Strawberry Chapel
September 10, 2022
Strawberry Chapel
Cordesville, South Carolina
The Anglican Church established “chapels of ease” throughout rural South Carolina in the 1700s for members to attend services close to home without trekking to an actual church.
Built in 1725, Strawberry Chapel is the only remaining structure from the Childsbury settlement on the Cooper River. The chapel is private property and Ted and I attended an educational / history event on the site.
The Anglican Church established “chapels of ease” throughout rural South Carolina in the 1700s for members to attend services close to home without trekking to an actual church.
Built in 1725, Strawberry Chapel is the only remaining structure from the Childsbury settlement on the Cooper River. The chapel is private property and Ted and I attended an educational / history event there yesterday.
Strawberry Chapel
September 10, 2022
Strawberry Chapel
Cordesville, South Carolina
I went to check on azalea reflections in the Mill Pond and found this instead. Azalea plants line the left bank and many of them sprouted new shoots that have grown taller than the blooms. We also had two nights of frost the previous week that killed any blooms that were exposed.
Another room of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum that is a show off, including this gold decorated tea set.
White – Gold Tea Set
The Nathaniel Russell House Museum embodies the flaunt-it lifestyle of the mercantile elite of late 1700s – early 1800s Charleston, SC. The house has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
I like Magnolia Cemetery mostly for the birds that gather there. On this early December visit I was surprised to find the water was out of the pond where I was hoping to see some ducks. Normally the water is a foot or more deep at this edge.
Big Lagoon, Magnolia Cemetery
On doing research for this post I discovered the body of water is referred to as a lagoon not a pond; there is this “big lagoon” and a “small lagoon” on the back side near the Smith Pyramid. I’ve read about those stairs leading down to a grassy area where picnicking took place back in the 1800s, which seems odd now but was all the rage at the time.
Big Lagoon, Magnolia Cemetery, Taken from the cemetery entrance end
From the other end of the pond, looking towards Meeting Street, signs of expanding Charleston are evident. I don’t often post images with power lines, but this time they felt like part of the story. Bird watching at the cemetery you feel like you are in the country, but that just isn’t so.
Big Lagoon, Magnolia Cemetery, White Ibis in Trees to Right
Unfortunately, the bridge has been closed since last summer due to dangerous rotting of the decking. The last time I walked over it I wondered why it hadn’t been closed.
On the marsh end of the pond/lagoon there is a different type of water control trunk than those I am used to seeing in the rice fields.
Big Lagoon, Magnolia Cemetery
This one is mostly brick or some kind of masonry with a metal plate cover and hoisting system. A few White Ibis were attracted to the shallow water for easy feeding.
Outflow of Big Lagoon, Magnolia Cemetery, White Ibis
The marsh on the other side of the dike is tidal, leading out to the Cooper River. With the trunk left open water will come and go in the pond with the tide. I’m not sure why they are leaving it open; I was there a few days ago and it was either open again or still open.
Outflow of Big Lagoon, Magnolia Cemetery
My post School’s Out of jumping fish was taken on the marsh side of this dike, with the tide high. The last image shows the top of the brick arrangement on that side.
The building to the right is an old receiving tomb; Ted has taken some moody images of it which you can see at https://tpjphoto.net/
My trend lately has been less text with my posts; I think today is an anomaly, not a new direction.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
December 3, 2021
Showing some more detail of the sensory overload in the Oval Drawing Room, this is a close up of the Georgian Gothic crown molding. The museum tour indicates this is made of plaster with 22 Carat gold leaf.
Oval Drawing Room Cornice Detail
A wider view shows the rounding of the corner and the top corner framing of the panel mirrors.
Oval Drawing Room Cornice Detail
From the hallway the Oval Drawing Room glows with natural light when the sun is shining, as it was this day. The room to the left is the Withdrawing Room, which runs across the entire front of the house.
Oval Drawing Room From Hallway
This home has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
The Oval Drawing Room on the second floor of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum embodies the flaunt-it lifestyle of the mercantile elite of the late 1700s – early 1800s Charleston.
Set for Tea in the Oval Drawing Room
The tea set has plenty of its own bling, with opulent decoration.
Tea Table
Panel mirrors and cornice gilding helped brighten the room for after dinner parties, reflecting candle light.
Tea Table Reflected in Mirror Wall
This home has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
