Charleston's Festival of Houses And Gardens-See the History, Touch The History

I have one overwhelming impulse. Well, one that I will readily admit to and believe to be quite innocent, but at times can be distracting. Upon entering an establishment for the first time, I irresistably begin to check out its distintive architecture and the craftmanship employed in its creation. This impulse is driven by many years of exposure to the contruction trades and time spent as a finish trim carpenter on the Isle of Palms and Mt. Pleasant. Couple this with a passion for working with everything that grows green and explodes into an array of colors and you have the required ingredients of an individual who would be the perfect candidate for Charleston's yearly Festival of Houses and Gardens. The festival has been a yearly event, now in its 65th year.

Charleston's landmarks and beautiful homes are collectively some of the more obvious reasons why visitors and residents are drawn to this number one destination in the country known for its historic charisma. A walk through the Holy City gives you a glimpse into a past you otherwise could only read about in books or see in old photographs and well preserved art. Charleston contains an unbelievable amount of history. A history you can personally touch and visually experience. A history that goes all the way back to the early days of tall ships and horse drawn carriages. So, here are a few reasons visitors and residents are drawn to this charming Southern city by the Atlantic Ocean.

Pink House

The oldest standing tavern building in the South can be found at 17 Chalmers Street in the French Quarter, an area that was originally within the walled part of old Charles Towne. The old tavern was built in the mid 1690's. It was constructed from Bermuda stone, a West Indian coral stone with a natural pink cast to it. Thus, it became known as the Pink House. Another unique feature of the tavern is the tiled roof made from terra cotta tile of an ancient vintage. The little tavern has been extremely versatile surviving both an earthquake and hurricane virtually unscathed while buildings around it crumbled. In its inception, the groggerie served seamen whiskey, wenches, and wittles. Today, it is an art gallery.

The oldest estate garden in the Western Hemisphere is just outside Charleston at famed Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. The plantation hosts a number of spectacular horticultural treasures. Some sections are more than 325 years old, making them the oldest unrestored gardens in America. The original main house, which was built before the Revolutionary War, still remains.

terra cotta tiled roof

Down the road from Magnolia Place is Drayton Hall, the oldest preserved plantation house open to the public in the country. The house was built between 1738 and 1742 and considered one of the finest examples of Georgian-Palladian architecture in the United States. Drayton Hall will be host to this years Festival Plantation Picnic on Friday, April 6 and  Sunday, April 15, 4:30-7 p.m. You can purchase tickets here.

The William Rett House located on Hasell Street just off Meeting was finished in 1716. It is considered the oldest house in Charleston and part of the old sugar plantation acquired by William Rett. It has been restored and is now privately owned. The buildings on the plantation surround a beautiful, formal, English garden featuring a beautiful pond. There is a gate house and a carriage house that can be rented. William Rett is best known for his capture of the infamous Stede Bonnet, the  "gentleman pirate", but the more notorious Blackbeard eluded his capture.

The Calhoun Mansion, built in 1876, is the largest residence in Charleston and considered one of the greatest antebellum homes on the eastern seaboard. Some of its more striking features are a stairwell that reaches to a 75 foot domed ceiling and a music room with a 45 foot covered glass skylight. It also boast some beautiful gardens.

Calhoun Mansion

The Festival of Houses and Gardens, March 22 to April 21, offers guests a rare opportunity to wander the private residential interiors and gardens of more than one hundred distinctive and historic downtown homes. Scheduled house tours will take you into areas like Ansonborough, the peninsula's first neighborhood established in 1745. Although much of Ansonborough was destroyed by a fire in 1838, it was rebuilt with houses owned by some of Charleston's oldest family names. The House and Garden tours will feature 7 to 10 properties each day in one of 11 different neighborhoods. Purchase tickets here.

Other events are The Glorious Garden tours, Morning History Walks, and Luncheon Lecture Series. If you like pirate stories, don't miss the "The Notorious Exploits of Three Female Pirates" lecture at the James Missroon House at 40 East Bay Street Monday, April 9. Purchase tickets here. Concerts, wine tasting, and harbor cruises are also a part of the festival.

On top of all this, the festival takes place during Charleston's spring peak blooming season. Native varieties flowering include dogwood, redbud, and fringe trees, as well as azalea, yellow jessamine, and bignonia. Come and join the culture and fun that makes Charleston number one.

January is "Be A Tourist In Your Own Town" Month

Charleston is bursting at the seams with things to see and do, "its where history lives". That's what so appealing about it, the way Charleston has preserved its heritage. Even though fall has settled in on the Holy City and winter will be slipping in from behind, January is an ideal time for residents to get reaquainted with their local favorites, and at discounted prices. Its time to Be A Tourist In Your Own Town.

Be A Tourist In Your Own Town is free one-time admission to 28 area attractions and discounts at 22 restaurants during the month of January 2011. The program is designed for South Carolina residents of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties. You can buy individual passes for $20 or family passes for $50. The family pass is good for four people of any age. The odd thing about the family pass is the four people don't even have to be related to each other, but they do have to be locals. The only other catch is all four must also be present to take advantage of the program. You can purchase your pass at official Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, North Charleston, or Kiawah Island Visitor Centers.

So, take advantage of this yearly opportunity to re-visit your favorites such as Cypress Gardens where January is the peak of the camellia bloom and winter-nesting bald eagles are often sighted overhead. How about taking another walk in the gardens of Magnolia Plantation, stroll the grounds of Middleton Place, and tour Drayton Hall. You would normally associate bisan with the west, but when you visit the natural habitat zoo at Charles Towne Landing you will learn they were indigenous to South Carolina at one time. The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, The Powder Magazine, Charleston Tea Plantation, and The Center for Birds of Prey are all on the list including some you may not yet had the opportunity to visit.

How about picking one restuarant a week to dine at such as Blu Restaurant & Bar, Bocci's Italian Restaurant, Tommy Condon's Irish Pub, 82 Queen, or Southend Brewery and Smokehouse to name a few and enjoy the savings. For complete list of restaurants and attractions click here. It's an exceptional value for newer residents who want to get acquainted with Charleston's and it's history. See you around town.

Drayton Hall-Standing Triumphantly Over The Test Of Time

Drayton Hall is an example of what Charleston is all about. One of elegance, charm, and a profound connection with its past coupled with a strong resolution towards its preservation and gaining a sense of itself. After ascending the plantation home's porch stairs and entering its doors, you will experience for a brief moment the good times and bad times, the years of prosperity and tranquility as well as the tumultuous years, which is the beating heart of Charleston.

The construction of Drayton Hall was started in 1738 and took some years for its completion. It is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian-Palladian architecture in the United States, likely one of the earliest Palladian buildings in America. A unique feature of Drayton Hall's interior spaces is it grows progressively taller, meaning the ceiling heights change from the raised basement to the first floor and up to the second floor where it is the highest, which went contrary to Palladian design. Climate played a role in this diversion from the norm.

Drayton Hall has survived wars, an earthquake, hurricanes, and aging. It was taken over by the British in the American Revolution and the North in the Civil War. While other plantations were destroyed by Sherman and Union troops, Drayton Hall for some mysterious reason escaped the rampage. Although, there are several theories on the books.

You must take a tour of this magnificent example of plantation homes to appreciate the design of hand-carved poplar and mahogany reliefs found within from the spaces used for entertaining to the private family rooms. To people of antiquity, shapes and figures were more than just design, but had deeper meaning. You will also learn about that on the tour. You will hear all the fascinating details of Drayton Hall's rich history, which can only be appreciated first hand. You will be able to visually connect with what you are hearing or have heard.

Drayton Hall-3/1/2010 - 10/31/2010: Main gate opens at 8:30am; first house tour of the day at 9:00am. Tours approximately 30-60 minutes and begin every hour on the hour.
A Day on the Ashley-7/16/2010 - 12/1/2011: A package that invites groups to tour Drayton Hall and Middleton Place, and enjoy an authentic Lowcountry Lunch.
Location: 3380 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414. Phone: 843-769-2600