In June 2020, the Charleston Tea Plantation changed its name to Charleston Tea Garden. One unique aspect youll learn about in the Lowcountry is the Gullah culture (also sometimes called Geechee) developed by slaves in this area of the U.S., particularly South Carolina and Georgia. Accessibility: The house is not wheelchair accessible, and requires 6 steps to get inside and another several steps to visit all the rooms. Original Date of Main Plantation House: The first plantation house was built in the 1680s by Thomas Drayton and his wife Ann Drayton. The first floor of the house is furnished with antiques and period sympathetic pieces to resemble an antebellum planters home, but the furnishings are not from the original antebellum house. By 1860 there were 332,000 enslaved workers in Louisiana. First, because it is a grand Palladian building made of red brick with a 2-storey white columned portico. All of the plantations are worth visiting but they each offer different attractions and each has a different focus. southern magnolia tree flower, magnolia grandiflora, magnolia plantations & gardens, charleston, south carolina, usa. for over 30 years. Regular 45-60 minute interpretive guided tours of the site are available multiple times a day that take place outside in the grounds. Before the Civil War, there were hundreds of plantations located outside Charleston, growing indigo, cotton, rice, and other cash crops. Photography Allowed: Yes After the war, it was used as a local field office for the Freedmens Bureau before being returned to the McLeods in 1870. There are also free 15-minute video-guided factory tours where you can see how the tea is processed. Thanks Tecsi, glad you enjoyed it and hope you enjoy your trip to Charleston if you are planning a visit! We recommend that any first-time visitor check this one out. Amenities Accessibility Traveler experience Compare 2,053 hotels close to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens with room rates, reviews, and availability. For each Charleston plantation in this guide, we have an Accessibility section which provides information on wheelchair accessibility, stairs, and services for those with mobility difficulties. Directions From Myrtle Beach: It is possible to arrange a golf cart for those with limited mobility to see grounds, but this should be arranged in advance of your visit to guarantee availability. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. The Main House at Magnolia Plantation isn't exactly a traditional southern plantation, and it's not the original plantation house. Only one of the plantations, Middleton Place, offers on site accommodation. These plantations were hugely successful and profitable, mainly because they were run using the cheap labor of African slaves. Thanks again for sharing your perspective, and I am glad you have found our article useful in planning trips for visiting friends. One of the oldest estates in South Carolina, Magnolia Plantation dates to 1672. To see a working plantation near Charleston, we recommend visiting either the Charleston Tea Garden or Boone Hall Plantation. However, there are services departing from Mary St / Meeting St and arriving at Dorchester Rd / Reserve at Ashley River via N. Charleston SuperStop on Rivers Ave. There is a gift shop located in the Visitor Center. 4 of the Best Charleston Plantations. Fort Sumter Admission and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry, Charlestons Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour, 2-Hour Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Charleston's Hidden Alleyways & Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour, Ghosts of Charleston Night-Time Walking Tour with Unitarian Church Graveyard, Charleston Harbor History Day-Time or Sunset Boat Cruise, Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston, Charleston See-It-All Sightseeing Bus Tour, Charleston Ghost & Graveyard Night-Time Guided Walking Tour, Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket, Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel, 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour, Daytime Horse-Drawn Carriage Sightseeing Tour of Historic Charleston, The Death and Depravity Ghost Tour in Charleston, Charleston's Pleasing Terrors Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour, Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class, City Bus Tour with Charleston Museum Admission, Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston, Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour, Private Historic Carriage Tour of Charleston, Middleton Place Admission with Self Guided Tour and Lunch, Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston, Admission to Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, 45-Minute Narrated Nature Tram Ride through the Audubon Swamp Gardens, 30-Minute Tour of Magnolia Plantation Historic Home, Round-Trip Transportation Aboard Air-Conditioned Vehicle, Enjoy a guided walk through America's last large scale Romantic Garden, See wildlife such as alligators, egrets, herons, and turtles on the nearly 600 acre plantation, Entry/Admission - Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. The Magnolia Plantations and Gardens feature 600 acres (243 hectares) of gardens, lakes, forest and old, flooded rice fields. The Visitor Center, Gates Gallery, Caretakers House, cafe, and shop are all wheelchair accessible and can be accessed without stairs. The fact that it has been owned (and is still owned) by the same family for 300+ years is also unique. The slave cabins interiors are also not wheelchair accessible and each requires 2 to 3 steps. There are also Sunday bird walks. The antebellum era plantation is located in Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, South Carolina, U.S.A., and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2003, David and Eunice Bigelow, of the Bigelow Tea Company, purchased the plantation from Hall. The big reason to tour the house at Middleton, Magnolia, or Boone Hall is that's the only place you'll get a guide to tell you about ownership, plantation life, crop management, etc. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. But without enslaved Africans, there would absolutely be NO grand Charleston. Do I have to wear a face mask on public transport in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens? A number of Lowcountry plantations continued to grow the prized Sea Island cotton; however, a boll weevil infestation in the 1920s virtually wiped out cotton crops throughout the southern United States. Gardens: Yes, there are gardens located in the front of the house that form a butterfly pattern, where you can see heirloom roses as well as azaleas, camellias, and other flowers. Charles Pinckney was a principal author and signer of the constitution and the site is part of Pinckneys Snee Farm, which was a rice and indigo plantation. Recommended option Line 10 bus, line 12 bus Thanks for letting me know about the name change from Charleston Tea Plantation to Charleston Tea Gardens, I will add that to the article. Which attractions will I visit with Magnolia Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston? Tour concludes with drop-off at your original starting point. In the antebellum period, it is estimated that there were over 2,000 plantations in South Carolina, most within the Lowcountry area. No guess work getting there or back. They also started growing a small amount of Sea Island cotton on the property in 2017 for educational purposes. Magnolia Plantation has always been on our list to visit. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and share you own perspectives and experiences as a local Charlestonian, African American, and someone who has visited some of these homes and former plantations! My hotel recommended this tour company and we were lucky to get a spot! This is the only plantation on the list we have not visited as it opened just after we were last in Charleston, so we cannot share our own personal impressions. Today, at nearly 500 acres and with the distinction of being America's oldest garden, Magnolia extends the same gracious hospitality to your guests as the Drayton family did when it first settled here in 1676. In the summer of 1990, Magnolias ignited a culinary renaissance upon opening in Charleston, S.C., paving the way for a new generation of Lowcountry cooking in the city and across the entire South. These tours are focused on Gullah culture, the lives of the African Americans who lived here (both during slavery and after Reconstruction), and the cultivation of the land. We have visited five of the plantations around Charleston, and in this article we will give you all the details you need to plan your own visit to these plantations. In 1995, an act was passed making South Carolina-grown tea the official state hospitality beverage in South Carolina! Some also include lunch or a winery visit, such as this one. Nearby homes similar to 2940 Doncaster Dr have recently sold between $385K to $609K at an average of $290 per square foot. Accompanied by a knowledgeable, local guide, visit over 100 of Charleston's most iconic sights . Here you will find tales of wealth and prosperity, of love and war, and of suffering and survival. For those who cannot climb the 4 steps, a tour of the farm in a persons own vehicle can sometimes be arranged with advanced notice. Want to keep up to date with us and our latest travel tips? There is also a hospitality center (seasonal), dock house, and a butterfly pavilion (seasonal). If its canceled due to poor weather, youll be offered a different date or a full refund, This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. A large gift shop sells the tea from the plantation, tea-related items, body care products, snacks, souvenirs, and other items. To the best of our knowledge, it is correct as of the last update.Visit Rome2rio travel advice for general help. The plantation focuses not only on the lives of the enslaved but also the lives of the formerly enslaved and their descendants after the Civil War to the 21st century, which is a time period less often mentioned during plantation visits. The road distance is 20.9 km. There are several day tours that offer round-trip transport from downtown Charleston. Magnolia is located at 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414. Website: www.draytonhall.org The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge over the Cooper River in South Carolina, USA, connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. In 2003, David and Eunice Bigelow, of the Bigelow Tea Company, purchased the plantation from Hall. Next, take a guided walk through the garden, before finally heading to the Drayton Plantation for a tour of the grand historic home. Charleston became wealthy from these plantations, but these riches were of course made on the backs of the slaves who were forced to work the fields. Website:www.boonehallplantation.com You can take a bus from Charleston Historic District to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens via Mary St / Meeting St, N. Charleston SuperStop on Rivers Ave, and Dorchester Rd / Reserve at Ashley River in around 2h 10m. I love Charlestons antebellum beauty, yet it came at a very high cost to humanity which still reverberates today. What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms when I arrive in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens? There is also a weather-dependent horse-drawn carriage tour of the grounds offered for an additional fee. From thousands of !! Whereas in the past they grew cotton and pecans, they now grow a variety of produce like peppers, peaches, strawberries, and tomatoes. I have to say we went in June, and it was incredibly hot. and these links are all included below in this post. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. After the war, it was used as a local field office for the. John Drayton purchased the property in 1738 and the Drayton family would own the property and live here for generations. Magnolia Plantation. There are two main discount passes in Charleston, and both can save you money if you plan to visit a number of Charlestons popular attractions. The plantation is still owned by the Drayton family who have maintained the plantation through wars and natural disasters. Ticket prices can be fairly pricey and we recommend taking full advantage of your entry fee. Most tour prices include your transport, a guide, and entry into the visited plantations. Today, Drayton Hall is a National Trust Historic Site and is run and operated by the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust. The quickest way to get from Charleston to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is to taxi which costs $5-$7 and takes 22 min. Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know? The entire site is primarily focused on the African American slaves and tenants (from 18th century to 1990) who lived here and the Gullah culture. . The plantation and gardens are nature preserves rooted in the rich history and deep Southern culture. Yes, travel within United States is currently allowed. A romantic and altogether enchanting destination located far away from the downtown distractions, the distinctive plantation house, rich in history . This way you can visit as many plantations as you like, for as long as you like. (late 18th century or early 19th century), a larger sixth cabin was built later, a cotton gin house (19th century), dairy (19th century with 18th century cellar), kitchen (19th century), and a 4-person privy. The carriage tour is OK but there isnt a lot of unique information presented here if you do all the other tours. Tour historic buildings or take a boat ride through the wetlands. In the city, slaves were often loaned out to do work as well. Accessibility: The first floor of the main house is wheelchair accessible by using a wheelchair lift. Tour historic buildings or take a boat ride through the wetlands. Today it is a 37 acre park dedicated to Gullah heritage and African American history. Wearing a face mask on public transport in Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is recommended. Address: 3380 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414 Website: https://ccprc.com/1447/McLeod-Plantation-Historic-Site Most Unique: Charleston Tea Garden is one of only a few working plantations you can visit in South Carolina and it is the only large commercial tea plantation in the United States. The fort was renamed for the U.S. patriot commander in the Battle of Sullivan's Island, General William Moultrie. Tour the Plantation House. After the Civil War, the gardens would become neglected, but they would be restored and expanded by J. J. Pringle Smith (descendant of the Middletons) and his wife Heningham in the 1920s and they would also open them up to the public for the first time in the late 1920s. CARTA also provides service to Magnolia Plantation and the other Charleston plantations on Highway-61 from downtown Charleston. 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