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.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 17, 2022
Another room of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum that is a show off, including this gold decorated 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.
Photos taken October 13, 2021
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A wider view shows the rounding of the corner and the top corner framing of the panel mirrors.
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.
This home has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
Photos taken October 13, 2021
Additional posts of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum
The Oval Drawing Room on the second floor of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum is something of a sensory overload.
Every type of architectural detail is decorated–the gilded cornice, the door frames, the frames around the window.
In addition to helping reflect the candlelight of the era, the panel mirrors were another statement of wealth.
I suspect they were also disorienting to late night party attendees.
This home has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
Photos taken October 13, 2021
Additional posts of the Nathaniel Russell House Museum
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.
The tea set has plenty of its own bling, with opulent decoration.
Panel mirrors and cornice gilding helped brighten the room for after dinner parties, reflecting candle light.
This home has been restored to its 1808 appearance and is part of the Historic Charleston Foundation collection.
Photos taken October 13, 2021
Middleton Place House Museum under fluffy summer sky.
September 2, 2021
Blue sky this way!
August 23,2021
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
On a cloudy day the South Flanker across the great lawn was sprinkled with sheep.
One of the flock is always playing catch up.
July 7, 2021
Prior to the Civil War the main house was flanked by the North Flanker and the South Flanker, which was built in 1755 as gentlemen’s guest quarters and a business office.
Magnolia Cemetery is full of oddities; to me this pyramid is one of the oddest. I think a tree or large limb must have recently fallen as I don’t recall seeing this view before. Or maybe I’ve been too busy watching the birds.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
