The Magnolia Plantation

Whilst in Charleston, we took a day trip out to Magnolia Plantation.  This plantation was founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, and has survived through all of these centuries.  The plantation has witnessed the history of the American nation unfold before it from the American Revolution to the Civil War and beyond. As mentioned, the plantation dates to 1676, when Thomas and Ann Drayton built a house and small formal garden on the site.  The plantation remains under the control of the Drayton family after 15 generations.  Magnolia was originally a rice plantation, with extensive earthworks of dams and dikes built in fields along the river for irrigating land for rice cultivation. African salves from rice-growing regions created the works.

With it's beautiful English style garden I however regret not visiting it in Spring when all the magnolias and other flowers are in full bloom.  Regardless, there was something magnificent about the the tall oak trees and swamps surrounding the garden.