Boone Hall Plantation And The Taste Of Charleston 2016--The Old And The New

Lining both sides of the earthen driveway, the procession of evenly spaced ancient oaks stretched for a distance of three quarters of a mile. Their broad branches extended skyward like outstretched welcoming arms intertwining into a embracing green canopy high above where light beams from the sun cut through the open areas of the tree's thick leaf clusters. A charming and unforgettable southern reception for visitors entering the resplendent Boone Hall Plantation. NBC Daytime television called it "a must see stop on any trip to Charleston, S.C."

There is no official documentation pointing to when the famous trees were planted. Boone Hall's web page states the son of Major John Boone planted the live oak trees in 1743. Other research seems to indicate that the Horlbeck’s planted the avenue a hundred years later in 1843. There is only one sure way to settle the controversy. It would involve cutting down one of the trees to count its rings, but such an action would constitute desecrating a symbol of long standing southern heritage and spoiling an idyllic narrative.

Boone Hall’s beginnings go way back in American antiquity. Theophilus Patey was granted 470 acres on Wampacheeoone Creek (Boone Hall Creek) in 1681, who at some point in time gave 400 acres of the land to his daughter, Elizabeth Patey, and John Boone as a wedding gift. It is not known when John Boone built a house on the property, but at his death, he left third of his estate to his wife and the rest to his children, Thomas, Theophilus, Susanna, Sarah, and Mary.

Thomas, at some point in time before 1749, took over Boone Hall. He is credited with planting the two evenly spaced rows of live oaks in 1743 according to the narrative of Boone Hall. If true, the Avenue of Oaks is at least 273 years old. In 1749, at his death, he willed the plantation to his son, John Boone. He left the plantation to his nephew, whose name was also John, and in turn, in 1792, John the nephew left it to his wife Sarah Gibbes Boone and his children, Thomas, Susan, and Maria.

The working plantation left the Boone family when Sarah Gibbes Boone sold it to Thomas A. Vardell for $12,000 in 1811. By then, it had expanded to 1,452 acres and included buildings on the property. It changed hands a couple more times before Henry and John Horlbeck took possession of the plantation, which now included a brickyard. The other component of the controversy, the Horlbeck family is credited with planting the Avenue of Oaks in 1843, according to the opposing research. The brickyard was producing 4,000,000 bricks per year and at some point during their ownership, pecan trees were planted on the property. By the late 1800s Boone Hall was one of the leading producers of pecans in the United States.

In 1935, Thomas Archibald Stone and his wife, Alexandra, purchased Boone Hall Plantation from John S. Horlbeck consisting of 4,039.5 acres. The Stone's demolished the 1790 wooden house. It was a two-story frame house with a one-story front porch. In its place, they built the much grander Colonial Revival-style house that stands there today and presently owned by the McRae family. Along with the house there are nine of the original slave cabins which date back to 1790-1810, a smokehouse dating from 1750, and a Cotton Gin house dating around 1853.

Boone Hall is one of America's oldest working, living plantations producing strawberries, tomatoes, and pumpkins, as well as many other fruits and vegetables. It also is host to some of Charleston's most popular festivals held throughout the year: Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Lowcountry Strawberry Festival, Scottish Games and Highland Gathering, and of course, the Taste of Charleston, which this year takes place on Sunday, Sept.25, 2016.

The Taste of Charleston is a 3-day event showcasing taste-tempting delights served by 40 of the Lowcountry’s favorite casual and fine dining restaurants. Highlights of the Main Event include a specialty and imported beer tasting tent, live music, the legendary "Waiters’ Race" and the "Kid's Kitchen Sideshow." Food and drink tickets are sold separately.

The present house was built in 1935. The only other house mentioned in known historical records of the plantation is the house that was demolished to make way for the present house. This is where the controversy arises. This house was only a two-story house with a one-story front porch. Looking at the photo taken of the house, it only has a short flight of stairs leading onto the porch.

Photo by Leonard Hayes 1899

Sadly, that original house has faded away with the passing of time, but the unforgettable Avenue of Oaks remains along with other historical features, which makes Boone Hall a must-see.

The 2012 Southern Living Taste Of Charleston Served Up A Platter Of Food And Fun

Historic and beautiful Boone Hall Plantation is an appropriate backdrop for the Taste of Charleston. From the moment you enter the plantation gates, driving under the canopy of the broad and spacious Avenue of Oaks leading the way to the house, you sense the grace and charm that is the trade mark of the Charleston experience. The event is a celebration to the culinary expertise of Charleston's renowned chefs and famed restaurants overshadowed by its historic roots. A perfect confluence of the past and the present.

The day promised to be overcast with the possibility of rain. It was humid, but the clouds kept the temperature at a comfortable degree. Despite the grey skies and unsure forecast, Charlestonians and visitors were not going to be deterred from partaking in the culinary festivities. I arrived around 11:00am and the cars were beginning to line the driveway and extend down Long Point Rd. The parking of the cars appeared to be going smoothly. I grabbed my camera, exited the car and headed toward the entrance. I paid the fee. I could already hear the music and smell the food just beyond the treeline.

Once you navigated the gauntlet of raffle ticket selling and simulators, a long line of tents stretching across the expansive plantation grounds, divided in the middle by the Beer Garden, awaited your consideration. I paid my homage to the main sponsor of this wonderful event and took a few moments to watch a cooking demonstration at the huge Southern Living stage. I entered a contest where you had to get a post card stamped by four different travel hosts representing South Carolina Parks, Baldhead Island, and Charleston's sister city, Savannah. I had been to Savannah the week before and bought a t-shirt that was a big hit with the Savannah tent. Next, I had my picture taken for the cover of the Southern Living Magazine and it was now time to move on to satisfy my hunger.

A ticket tent offering souvenirs was to the right and a large stage was set up directly across from the restaurant tents. Before I made my first food selection, I walked from one end to the other to get a quick overview of what each restaurant was offering. I made a close observation of what others were eating as I went and listened for any helpful comments. A trip to the ticket tent was next, 2$ for one ticket.

Bricco Bracco's tent was my first stop. The fried ricotta and fried mozzarella caught my eye. I grappled a bit with this first selection but settled for the fried ricotta. The ricotta was, well ricotta, but the tomato sauce made the dish and the tiny tomatoes were delectable. It was off to a good start. Next, I wanted to seek out a restaurant I was not familiar with, not that I never heard of it, but one I had not previously dined at. My decision did not come easy. It was between Poogan's Porch and Queen Ann's Revenge. I love the dog story and Blackbeard is a popular Charleston pirate. I hope Zoe didn't take offense, but I went with the chicken salad at Queen Ann's Revenge. It was the right choice. The chicken was great and the dressing accented the salad perfectly. I was stopped by quite a few people who were curious about my opinion on the salad. With so many excellent restaurants featured, it wouldn't have mattered who you chose, they all are the best Charleston has to offer. You can only reasonably spend so much money.

Homemade Wine provided the musical entertainment. When you succeed at getting people up to dance, you must be doing something right. They rocked the house.

The Waiter's Race was a highly anticipated event and it didn't disappoint. Plenty of precious wine from the Biltmore Estate was spilled in this one. Jason Alderman from 82 Queen won.

Other highlights of the day was watching a copter camera take off and fly over the crowd, swooping down for closeups. If you were fortunate enough for it to hover over you, you got a reprieve from the humidity by way of a strong breeze. Finally, it was entertaining to watch a group of guys work their artistic wonder on a ice sculpture dedicated to Southern Living and the Taste of Charleston.

White Gables of Summerville was represented very well by our friends and neighbors with their own tent strategically set up near the WEZL van and the stage. I thank the group for inviting me in for some pictures and conversation. They know how to have fun. It was a blast.

Things That Bring You To The Lowcountry-Taste of Charleston And The Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour

Isle of Palms

When I tell people I am from Ohio, the subsequent response is always, "What brought you to Charleston?" I have to admit, before the first time vacationing on the beautiful Isle of Palms, I didn't give much thought to the idea of leaving Ohio. Well, maybe a passing thought or two. Having lived near Lake Erie all those years, water and the beach were always a part of my life along with the excellent fishing Ohio waters provided. But Ohio summers pass by quickly and the long Northeastern Ohio winters curtail such activities. The sun is seldom seen from November to March due to the Lake Erie affect.

Fall, indisputably, is a pretty time in the North with the patchwork of colorful leaves and pleasant days of Indian Summer, but spells of cooler weather are a reminder of the bone chilling cold not far away in the North Coast lake-effect winter. Leaving for work in the morning was always a chore, hacking the ice off the car and driving the slippery roads. Sometimes my face got so cold my lips could barely move to speak. The melting snow that would freeze on my mustache often left me looking like a walrus. To sum it up, given a choice between frostbite and sweating, I'll take the sweating any day of the week. Frostbite is painful, sweating is not. Stick your fingers or toes into a fire ant mound and you will get a slight hint of just how painful frostbite can be.

So, the obvious answer to the aforementioned question could be, "The weather." Not so fast. The very first time I came to the Charleston area and stuck my feet in the sands of the Wild Dunes beachfront on the Isle of Palms and later set my feet on the rooftop of the Boathouse Restaurant looking out over Breach Inlet, the weather is no longer so obvious of a response. Needless to say, I was won over by the sheer beauty of its beaches, marshes and barrier islands.

Shem Creek

Folly Island

So, the answer now becomes, "The weather and coastal beauty." Not so fast. I took the short trip from the Isle of Palms to the the heart of Charleston, the Old Market. Market Street was crowded and lined with horse drawn carriages. I paid the fee and boarded the carriage assigned by a colored ball to travel through the French Quarter and the Battery along the waterfront. The ride introduced me to the charm and history that permeates every cobblestone, brick and iron gate of Charleston's past. A past that is intricately woven into the present. Love the story about the house designed with an architectural split personality and the one with a mortar shell still in its attic.

Battery house

Charleston has an abundance of everything I like, but there is more. Apart from all the water activities, coastal beauty, and wealth of the kind of history I enjoy, Charleston is a vibrant party town. There are events and festivals scheduled year round, all outfitted for showcasing the best that Charleston has to offer and highlighting why so many Northerners have made it their home. After all, Charleston is the number one destination of choice by vacationers.

This beautiful time of year when the temperatures retreat to a comfortable range offers a grand selection of events that cater to the five senses. Beginning today, The Boone Hall Plantation, America's most photographed plantation, will be hosting one of those yearly events showcasing the Lowcountry's finest restaurants. The Southern Living Taste of Charleston, hosted by the Charleston Restaurant Association is a 3-day event beginning Friday, September 28 and ending on Sunday, September 30. The Main Event on Sunday will feature 50 casual and fine dining restaurants serving sample size portions plus beer and wine. There will be a specialty and imported beer tasting tent, live entertainment, the legendary “Waiters’ Race” and the children’s area. Gates will open 10:30am. For more information go to Taste of Charleston.

Another event highlighting the Lowcountry's superb culinary delights, just down the road from Charleston, is The Tenth Annual Scrumptious Summerville Kitchen Tour scheduled for Sunday, October 7, 2012. The Kitchen Tour has an additional feature. Besides sampling gourmet treats prepared by premiere LowCountry chefs, you will have the unique opportunity to tour some of the grand homes, cottages and gardens in Summerville. Also, local musicians are scheduled to perform in each home or garden and area florists will grace the interior decor with floral arrangements. The homes may be toured from 1:30 to 5:30pm. The proceeds will benefit Children In Crisis, Inc. Tour is along West Carolina Avenue.

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September Is Tasty In Charleston-Charleston Restaurant Week And The Southern Living Taste Of Charleston

Sullivan's Island near the lighthouse

Yesterday, I enjoyed a beautiful Charleston September day on Sullivan's Island. But before I detail my late day trip to the island of "The Gold Bug", I am going to retrace this typing of printed letters to the event's inception. It all started with a discussion over cooking burgers on the grill, the original plan, or driving out to Poe's Tavern. The sudden change in desire evolved around the sudden urge of wanting to stick my feet in some cool sand and warm, salty water. Sand and water won the debate and got into the car to make the trip from Summerville to the beautiful beach-front island that lies at the entrance to the Charleston Harbor. Charlestonians of the 19th and early 20th century often boated to this island to escape the summertime heat of the city.

As I approached the business section of Sullivan's Island, the location of Poe's Tavern, something I had mentally considered before beginning this excursion became a reality. This time of year Poe's usually attracts a large crowd, so a wait was a strong possibility, but getting a table right away takes a back seat to finding a close parking spot. This night was no exception. I slowed the car on our approach looking to both sides of the road for an empty spot to pull into. My dinner partner shouted out, "There's one," but by the time I reacted to it, the cars behind forced me past the prized parking spot and my dinner partner would follow up with, "You missed it."  A couple more of the same and we conceded to parking a bit down the road.

Poe's was alive with the chatter of its patrons. It filled the warm, humid island air. We were fortunate some outside seating was available immediately, which would have been my preference anyway. We were seated at a table near the adjacent parking lot away from most of the crowd. Somewhat intimate and surrounded by plants, it was a good table to be seated at, if you didn't mind watching the cars pull in and out of the lot. A fan pointed at the table made it delightfully comfortable. We listened to the waitress site the specials and we chose Nachos covered with chili and a copia sandwich with fries. Our drink accompaniment was a couple of beers, a Blue Moon and a Mich Ultra. We shared light conversation and at one point played name that flower.

Dinner completed and a few pictures recorded, we took the short walk from Middle Street down Station 221/2 Street to the beach. There was a pleasant breeze coming off the ocean. The sand was cool and the water was warm. The riotous surf splashing on the shoreline was music to my ears. Small fish were scooting from the land-locked water to the ocean as the waves passed back and forth over the sand between. The setting sun highlighted the walk down the beach to the rocks near the lighthouse and back. More conversation, and more pictures.

Sullivan's Island beach

Sun setting over the beach at Sullivan's Island

The evening was capped off kicking our feet up with a couple of beers and a heavily dosed vodka and cranberry on the rooftop of the Boathouse Restaurant on the Isle of Palms at Breech Inlet. A beautiful breeze coming off the ocean through the inlet cooled the air. At first, I obsessed about driving my car over the curb at the gas station near Poe's, but the relaxing atmosphere quickly carried those thoughts away over the backwaters of the Isle of Palms. In the distance the lighted Authur Ravenel Bridge stood like a sentinel overshadowing the Cooper River and the gateway to the Charleston harbor. While viewing Charleston in the distance, it dawned on me it was Restaurant Week in Charleston, one of the most highly anticipated culinary events in the Charleston area.

Boathouse Restaurant in an earlier picture

Authur Ravenel Bridge in the distance taken from the Boathouse Restaurant

Charleston consistently ranks as one of the top dining destinations in the world. Charleston Restaurant Week affords everyone the opportunity to sample the menus of the top restaurants at special rates consisting of three items for $20, $30 or $40 depending on the restaurant. The Boathouse at Breach Inlet is on the list, but I didn't see Poe's Tavern on the list, as of yet. More restaurants get added each day. I already have my sights set on Circa 1886 or 82 Queen. Charleston Restaurant Week runs September 5th through 16th. Make your reservations now. The event is organized by the Charleston Restaurant Association (CRA). This is the list of participating restaurants. Charleston area hotels are offering discounts between 20-30% off nightly accommodations September 5th to 15th.

Charleston's culinary celebrations  in September will finish with the Southern Living Taste of Charleston at Boone Hall Plantation September 27th to 30th. For more information go toTaste of Charleston.

Charleston's Fall Events And Activities-Ramping Up

It's fall in Charleston, although it doesn't feel like it when you factor in the high humidity we have been experiencing these past few days, but it is what it is and it is Charleston weather. Despite summer 2011 having wound itself down and bid us farewell, the activities in Charleston are just beginning to ramp up. Of course, it is still warm enough to catch a few more rays and a few more waves on the beaches, if that is what you want to do, but there are plenty of events scheduled September thru December to keep you and your family happily occupied.

The Fall Tours of Home and Gardens is already underway. It started September 21 and will last to October 22. This is a Top 20 Event as selected by the Southeast Tourism Society. Tours are scheduled Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. This is where owners open up their homes and private gardens to the public for them to enjoy the rich history of Charleston and experience the distinctive architecture built into their historic residences from the Georgian period to the 21st century.

The Moja Festival will take place September 29 to October 9. This is another Top 20 Event. The festival is a celebration of African-American and Caribbean arts. MOJA is a Swahili word meaning "One" and is representative of the Lowcountry where these cultures have been fused into the Charleston culture. Nearly half of MOJA's events are admission-free and the remainder are offered at very modest ticket prices, ranging from $5 - $20. The wide range of events include visual arts, classical music, dance, gospel concert, jazz concert, poetry, R&B concert, storytelling, theatre, children's activities, traditional crafts, ethnic food, and much, much more. One notable event is the Reggae Block Dance. Friday, September 30, 2011 from 6:30-11:00pm at Brittlebank Park, Lockwood Blvd. & Fishburne St. Admission free.

"Ghosts and Pirates OH MY!" is an obvious choice if you are looking for fun and excitement for you or the whole family. It is hosted by Thriller Charleston, a bright yellow power catamaran. You will be introduced to the spooky side of Charleston from the historic front door of the Holy City-beautiful Charleston Harbor. Classic tales of haunted places and infamous battles and the notorious people who were a part of it. This event is scheduled throughout October only, 3pm, Thursdays and Saturdays only and tickets are $35/adult, $25/children 3 – 12, children 1 – 2 are free.

Taste of Charleston will take place October 8, 9 at Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, SC. This celebration of Lowcountry cuisine will feature more than 40 of Charleston’s top casual and fine dining restaurants serving sample size portions of their signature dishes plus beer and wine. There will be live entertainment from Homemade Wine, the legendary Waiters’ Race, Children’s Area and Beer Garden featuring 40 or more craft and specialty beers. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate and are good for admission only. Children 10 and under are free.

This just a sampling. There is much more to come. Get out and enjoy your Charleston.

Boone Hall Plantation And Gardens-Yesterday And Today

Associated with the discriptions of many of Charleston's historical sites is the word "antebellum". The term refers to pre-Civil War America, especially the pre-Civil War culture in the southern states. Quite simply, the historical site existed before the Civil War. Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens is an antebellum plantation.

The large Colonial Revival house presently standing on the plantation is not the original, so the house is not antebellum. The original house built of wood in 1790 no longer exists, but the famous Avenue of Oaks, a 3/4 of a mile long run of live oaks on both sides from the driveway's beginning to the front house gates created in 1743, are still gracefully towering over Boone Hall's entrance like a portal to the past. NBC Daytime television says is "a must see stop on any trip to Charleston, S.C."

Avenue of Oaks

Throughout the year there is always something going on at Boone Hall besides immersing yourself in Southern culture and the history of the plantation. Festivals and special events are scheduled that include something for everyone. I have attended these events in the past and plan to attend this years upcoming scheduled events, especially the one featuring Charleston's culinary lineup. Love the mahi-mahi morsels.

Piggly Wiggly BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival is scheduled for Sunday Sept. 5, 2010 and starts at 12 noon with the gates opening at 11am. Headline performers for this year's event: "The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" also featuring "The Dillards". Don't know who "The Dillards" are? Watch re-run episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and when you come across the episode with a hillbilly family band called the Darlings you will have the answer or click here. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. For children 6-12 $8 in advance, $10 at the gate.

The Scottish Games & Highland Gathering is featured each September. Experience Olympic type competition of the heavy athletics sporting events or the mastery of Scottish music with over 25 bagpipe bands highlighting Scottish country dancing and fiddling, and Celtic rock dressed in kilts.

Finally, want to see the Lowcountry's largest snow-cone? The 30th Annual Taste of Charleston will be held on October 8-10, with the Main Event at Boone Hall on Sunday where you can see the snow-cone take shape. This yearly event showcases a sampling of culinary treats from more than 45 of Charleston's favorite casual and fine-dining restaurants. Named one of the "Top 20 events in the Southeast" by Southeastern Tourism Society. Food, wine, specialty and imported bears, and live bands. Time: 10:30am-5pm. Tickets: $12.00. Full event tickets and prices.-Vacation Rick Travel Charleston.