Fort Sumter Tour is like the Carriage Rides in Downtown--When Visiting Charleston, You Should do It

The first shots of the American Civil War are traditionally said to have been fired at the bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, but officially they were not. Some months before the Sumter bombardment, in January of that same year, a merchant ship sent by President Buchanan carrying supplies for the fort was fired upon by Confederate batteries on Morris Island and after sustaining minor damage, turned away. The ship was called the Star of the West. This is just one of many interesting facts you will learn when you take the tour of Fort Sumter located at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. Of coarse, the only way to get to the fort is by ferry.

We chose Spirit Line Cruises for our tour. The primary departure point is the Aquarium Wharf at 360 Concord Street in Charleston and boats also depart from Patriots Point at 40 Patriots Point Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Before boarding the ferry, you will want to visit the Fort Sumter Visitor Center at 340 Concord Street at Liberty Square in Charleston where you will enjoy a museum and get necessary information about the tour. The total tour time is 2 1/4 hours with about 1 hour spent in the fort.

The boarding time for our cruise was 2 pm. It was full capacity, and most everyone gathered on the top deck for the best views of the surrounding harbor sights and the entertaining narration, which lasted the full trip from departure to the fort's dock. Ravenel Bridge, U.S.S. Yorktown, Charleston Harbor Resort, Pinckney Castle, Charleston's waterfront, ships of all sizes, and if you are fortunate, dolphin swimming in the nutrient-rich, murky waters of the harbor are the points of interest you will see on your trip out.

Fort Sumter was the trigger point that plunged the North and South into America's deadliest war. What you see of the fort today is the preserved ruins left over from the bombardment it suffered, first, from the Confederates in 1861, and then, from the Federals after the South took control of the fort to the end of the war. It was a formidable fort, although never really completed.

Fort Sumter was constructed on a man-made island built from over ten thousand tons of granite transported from Maine and started in 1829. Well over 60,000 tons of rock was imported from other sites. The island itself was 2.4 acres in size. Bricks, shells and sand could be obtained locally, but the capacity of local brickyards was inadequate to supply the millions of bricks required to build. Hundreds of thousands of oyster shells were used for the lime to make concrete. The fort would have 50 foot three-tiered walls with five sides. By 1860, the island and the outer fortifications were complete, but the fort's interior and armaments remained unfinished. You will get the full story as you stroll the grounds reading the various detailed information locations on your self-guided tour. There are park rangers available to answer any questions you may have.

The Fort Sumter Tour is informative and absorbing. The ferry ride to and from is relaxing as you take in the surrounding sites and listen to the engaging narrations. Our narrator told an intriguing story. While in the fort, you get a sense of what it was like to be within its walls while hundreds of shells rain down from the sky from Fort Moultrie, Fort Johnson, and other surrounding coastal batteries totaling 19. Some Civil War cannons had the power to launch shells up to five miles in distance.

Fort Sumter Tour is part of the story and allure that makes Charleston the number one destination in the nation. When in town visiting, tourist or local, you should reserve your ticket, hop on the ferry, and take a ride into the past.

Fort Sumter Tour Prices:

Adults - $37

Seniors/Active Military - $33

Children(4-11) - $23

Children 3 and under - Free

More Charleston stories

An Unforgettable Walk on the Beach of Sullivan's Island

Possibly, you have heard this story. The year was 2005. Its place of happening was fittingly Sullivan's Island. The teller is a young lady who was vacationing with her family. One morning she was strolling the beach picking up seashells. While examining one particular shell, she noticed a fully clothed gentleman standing and watching the ocean waves break on the shore.

When she looked up again from her seashell, she noticed the oddly dressed man had moved closer. She looked back down at the seashell to avoid an awkward encounter, but that's when the man spoke to her and asked if she wanted to know more about the shell she was holding. Despite feeling unnerved, she timidly looked up. He had long dark hair and very dark eyes. The man continued speaking. His soft-spoken voice put her at ease. Her apprehension faded away into a disarming and peaceful presence. He explained the seashell in great length, from its pink color and smooth interior to rough exterior, and she was impressed by the vast knowledge the gentleman possessed.

She bent down to pick up another shell and inquire about it, but the gentleman had vanished. The only logical explanation for his sudden disappearance was he had ventured back over the dunes. She picked up her newly collected treasures and headed back down the beach to her vacation home.

Later that evening, her and her family were out to eat at a local restaurant when a painting on the wall over its fireplace caught her attention. The dark image of a man looked eerily familiar, and so she walked over to get a closer look. Without a doubt, it was the man she spoke to earlier on the beach. She immediately flagged down a server and asked her if she knew the name of the man in the artwork. The server looked at her, puzzled, and said, "Oh yes dear, that's Edgar Allan Poe." At least, that is the way the story is told. Questionably, it is difficult to imagine someone would not recognize one of the most prominent faces in literature, but I acquiesce to the thought it could be possible.

The name of the local restaurant in the story is appropriately Poe's Tavern. On any given day throughout the tourist season, it is packed from opening to closing. It seems everyone wants to get a taste of it.

One writer described Poe's Tavern this way, "Eclectically decorated with different quotes from Poe’s work and several portraits of Poe by various artists, it is a quirky stop for passersby to grab a bite to eat, meet some locals, and experience a little history—even if it is beefed up a bit." Ironically, the writer's usage of the term "beefed up", though unintentional, is fitting in more ways than one. It is well known for its sumptuous burgers.

Most everything on the menu has an Edgar Allan Poe theme, from his name to the titles of his acclaimed works. I chose the Beef Gold Bug the day of my visit. The Gold-Bug was a famous story he wrote that takes place on Sullivan's Island. The burger was tasty and done to my preference. However, the highlight of my meal was the Dill Pickle Soup, of which I will describe with one word, WOW.

There are more than several portraits of Edgar. The walls are lined with everything Poe, but the eye catcher is the portrait above the fireplace. If you dare, walk up to it and look into his darkened eyes. However, I warn you, do not stare to long, you just might get sucked into his twisted, haunted world of macabre.

2210 Middle St., Sullivan s Island, SC

Poe submitted his short story called The Gold-Bug in 1843 as an entry to a writing contest sponsored by a Philadelphia newspaper called The Dollar. His story won the grand prize of $100 and was published in three installments. The writing was the most popular and widely read of Poe's works.

Candlelight Tours of Drayton Hall In Charleston--Affords You the Opportunity to See the Estate in a Different Light

Everything looks different in the fading light of the setting sun. The colors of the day melt away as they give way to the intruding darkness washing over the surrounding landscape like a rogue wave. Once upon a time sleeping shadows come to life, energized by any light source nearby. In the changed aura, one's imagination becomes more sensitive. Drayton Hall's Candlelight Tour does exactly all that. It allows you to see the old Ashley River estate and its impressive house in a different shade of light.

Originally a fruit orchard, Drayton Hall was built somewhere around 1738, thus making it over 285 years old. Considered one of the earliest and finest examples of Georgian-Palladian architecture in the United States, it is part of the most significant, undisturbed historic landscapes in North America.

Inside, the timeless wood and plaster carvings give testimony to the artful skills of the master craftsman of the day and the soul of its owners. The house is a surviving relic for us to look at with curiosity and wonderment. For the people in its beginning, every nuance incorporated into its design had a special meaning.

Drayton Hall is unquestionably not without its mysteries, both surreal and real. The most recent and famous occurred in 2007 when one of its staff members received an anonymous package containing the photograph of a watercolor painting of Drayton Hall purported to be date back to 1765.

The tour began at the Visitor Center, where Rosemary, our guide, talked about the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust's mission, which is to foster a deeper understanding of colonial America and the evolution of life in the South by discovering, researching, conserving, and interpreting the history, context, and culture of Drayton Hall.

Next, we were led to a graveled circle under some of the estate's oldest trees. The guide suggested we should consider not standing there too long for safety reasons and insurance liability. The old trees have lost some huge limbs over the years unexpectedly. Then, pointing to the land across from Drayton Hall on the other side of the Ashley River, which a generous supporter recently donated to the Trust, she related how the acquisition ensures that future generations will enjoy the same majestic view we see today.

The house was by this time covered in darkness, with only flickering candles lighting the way. We all stood at the iron gate at the lowest level of the house. The ornate wrought iron gate was the work of Charleston's Philip Simmons, a black gentleman who had a close working relationship with the Drayton family. We stepped into the large space. It had a stone floor throughout, a large fireplace, and a table with artifacts. The guide told stories about the relationship between the Drayton family and the house workers. We exited through the gate we entered and ascended the house's steps to the dramatic portico and the main entrance. From here, I will let the pictures tell the story.

The Candlelight Tour of Drayton Hall was a surreal trip back in time bathed in the light of a flickering candle. Our tour guide, a petite lady with a big smile and a sophisticated knack for delivering an entertaining narrative, was personable, engaging, and knowledgeable about the Drayton story. She personally addressed each individual in the group as if she was having a one-on-one conversation. She made each narrative come to life.

Walking through the richly decorated rooms of the house in the soft cadmium hue of candlelight gave you a unique perspective of its aged and timeless beauty. You experience the look and feel of the residence the way the people of its beginning years would have before there was electricity, which by the way, continues to be the case.

Photographs by Anne-Merle Bryant

$50 members/$55 non-members per person

3380 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC

Touching a Heart with the Power of the Written Word in a Bottled Message

The story I am now going to relate is the kind you like to share with others. It is a unique, uplifting story. It shows the power the written word has on those who understand the message it conveys. Someone could say the happening is just a coincidence, an occurrence of events that happen at the same time by total accident. But then, it has been said, "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous. As to which explanation is practical, I leave it to you to decide for yourself.

I have made it a practice to release wine bottles containing a message into Charleston's coastal waters from time to time. Charleston's coastline offers a variety of places for an entry point of a bottled message. My favorite drop-in point is the outgoing tidal currents of Breach Inlet accompanied by an off-shore breeze. The messages are lines of poetry I have written about dealing with life's struggles and hope of better days, included is my email address. Thus far, I have sent out three and received two responses from those who have found them. One bottle, released a year ago, remains undiscovered. This story has to do with the first bottle I released into the ocean with this printed image and words.

It was a month from the time I set this particular bottle afloat on the ocean currents to the time of its discovery. So, it did not travel any great distances in that one month. It possibly floundered around off-shore until an ocean wind brought it in. A woman found it while walking on the beach, something she does often to cope with a loss in her life. Her words pull at your heartstrings. What were the chances my bottle and message would be found by an individual who would appreciate it the most due to their own personal ordeal? I was glad to hear the right person found the bottle and the message.

Following is the original email I received:

"I found your message in a bottle.....a green bottle on the shore. Where did u release it? If u don't mind me asking... I lost the love of my life 3 years ago in aug. and I walk that beach for therapy to deal with losing him. I have released a balloon there once with a message inside, and was touched by your poem...It was a cool thing to find. Take care." Sent from my IPhone

Estuary waters and tidal rivers surround Charleston. It is rich with stories associated with its long maritime history. I have not read any stories about discovered messages inside bottles in the Charleston area, but I am sure some exist.

Someday you may be walking on one of the beautiful beaches of Charleston and unexpectedly see the top of a corked bottle sticking out of the sand. Upon pulling the bottle from its final resting place after its solitary journey on the ocean currents, you discover a message within. Maybe, it could be a record-breaking message in a bottle dating back hundreds of years, or it could be one of mine. If it is mine, I look forward to hearing from you.

The Palmetto Breeze--Soak in the Intoxicating Ambience of the Charleston Harbor

Thunderstorms were scattered about the Charleston area but the Harbor around Mt. Pleasant's popular waterside mecca of watering holes at Shem Creek was luckily spared and basking in a moisture-rich late afternoon sun. Departure time had arrived.

With a full compliment of passengers, the catamaran's crew loosened the moorings and it eased away from the dock into the gentle out-going current. The age-diverse crowd of passengers gave out cheers of approval. We waved to the patrons lining the weatherworn rails along the waters edge of Tavern and Table and Red's Ice House as they gave us a Titanic send off. The party was now officially underway.

While navigating the narrow waters around recreational crafts of all sizes, the captain introduced himself and shouted out some pertinent instructions. It was Firefly Friday. Complimentary glasses of a Firefly Vodka laced drink were passed out. We crossed glasses and caught a glimpse of a shrimper dancing to some island music as our vessel passed-by. The bird sanctuary called Crab Bank Island came into view and the open waters of Charleston Harbor spread before us like a sparkling glass of wine. The sails were unfurled and the stimulating harbor breeze softly embraced our host, the Palmetto Breeze.

The Palmetto Breeze was built in Charleston and is the largest capacity catamaran north of Ft. Lauderdale accommodating 100 passengers plus crew. It featured a spacious wooden deck and covered seating by the bar with elevated seating across the back. In the front of the catamaran under the jib sail, three rows of eight leg-less chairs each were set up across the deck. If you were among the first to board, you had the ideal option of choosing one of these chairs. They were actually very comfortable and afforded a great view.

There was by far more passengers than there was seating. Most of the passengers, which consisted of families, couples, and one bachelorette party, sat wherever it was convenient or stood along the roped edges.

With the Ravenel Bridge towering over Patriots Point and the Yorktown in the near distance, the Breeze crossed the harbor waters passed Castle Pinckney toward White Point Gardens and sailed along the waterfront from the Battery to the South Carolina Aquarium.

The earlier storms had moved out of the area and through breaks in the slow moving marine blue clouds, the descending sun afforded some beautiful shots. Passing the port docks, next was the Ravenel Bridge where the Breeze briefly lingered under the soaring cabled-spires and then made the turn towards the Yorktown and Patriots Point. By then, the near-full moon had made its appearance, adding to the splendor of the darkening azure skies.

Finally, after four glasses of Firefly and one glass of wine, it was time to head back to port. The sun had disappeared below the clouds and the fading Charleston horizon. There was no mistaking Shem Creek. It was colorfully lit like a theater marquee--resplendent.

The harbor tour aboard the Palmetto Breeze is well worth the ticket. It was comfortable, it was relaxing, and it was enjoyably fun. There is no narrative. History is not on the agenda. It is all about soaking in the romance of the Charleston Harbor ambiance--salt water, ocean breezes, and the unrivaled, beautiful waterfront of Charleston. Firefly Vodka was complimentary. Water and soft drinks were provided along with a cash bar as refreshments.

April-October, reserve your ticket at Palmetto Breeze Schedule.

The Firefly Friday cruise is no longer available. It has been replaced with the Pure Gold Friday Sunset cruise which includes wine and beer products. The following list is available cruises, times, and prices.

Sunday Funday at 3 pm for $25 - $35

Mermaid Monday at 7 pm for $30 - $40

Tribute Tuesday Charity Sail benefitting lowcountryfoodbank.org at 7 pm for $25 - $35

Windsday Harbor Sail beverages included at 7 pm for $45

Pure Gold Friday Sunset at 7 pm for $30 - $40

Saturday Afternoon Charleston Harbor Sail at 4 pm for $25 - $35

Harbor Dolphin Sunset Saturday at 7 pm for $30 - $40

New Year's Day Charleston Area Polar Bear Plunges--Join in on the Fun

Come Freeze Your Bills Off - 8th Annual "Bill Murray Look-A-Like Polar Bear Plunge"

We will pay homage to one of Charleston's funniest residents, Bill Murray. All attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Bill Murray character and "freeze their Bills off." Murray's Bob Wiley character in "What About Bob" is my favorite followed by Phil Connors of "Ground Hog Day." The Polar Bear Plunge rounds out the weekend of New Year festivities of Folly Beach including the Flip Flop Drop and Fireworks on New Year's Eve.

The annual plunge will take place beachside at the Tides Hotel and will include a costume contest, commemorative t-shirts, and of course, a plunge into the "chilly" Atlantic! All attendees are encouraged to come in costume, especially as your favorite Bill Murray character, and be ready to 'freeze your bills off'. See you there.

Saturday, January 1, 2022, 11 am - 2 pm

Beachside at the Tides Hotel

Dunleavy's New Year's Day Polar Plunge

Kick off the New Year in the COOLEST way ever. Proceeds benefit 30,000 athletes in SC.

The "Dunleavy's Pub Polar Plunge" has been around for 19 years and since 2003 the Pub and their patrons have helped raise thousands of dollars for Special Olympics South Carolina. Dunleavy's Pub on Sullivan's Island will open at 9:00 am and the plunge takes place at 2:00 pm. For this cold dip, you are encouraged to create a costume for this one or simply show up in your favorite swim suit.

Jan 1, 9 am

Dunleavy's Pub

2213 Middle St # B, Sullivan's Island, SC

Polar Bear Plunge at Kiawah Island

Plunge into the New Year at Kiawah Island Golf Resort's Polar Bear Plunge. Come and celebrate new beginnings with us as we gather on Kiawah's beach, just in front of the hotel to take a dip into The Atlantic. All participants must bring their own towel to this event.

This event is complimentary, and no reservations are required.

January 1, 2022 at 11:45 am - 12:45 pm

The Riddle of the Holy City--See If You Can Solve It for the Prize

Do you believe yourself to be good at solving riddles? If you do, then this article is for you. However, if you think yourself not to be, take a shot at it anyway. You will be surprised. It is a riddle of the ages for you to solve. It is in the spirit of one of the most interesting books ever written called "The Secret."

"The Secret" is about a treasure hunt devised by its author to take its readers on a journey to cities in the United States and Canada, to enlighten them on events and people that played significant roles in the genesis of the New World.

In 1982, Byron Preiss buried twelve treasure boxes in secret locations in twelve cities. He commissioned twelve mesmerizing paintings to be created containing clues for the seeker to decipher. The ornate boxes were hidden on city property, in local parks, and possibly in your own backyard. Ironically, Charleston is believed to be one of those chosen cities.

Each box contains one of twelve keys. If you solve the clues and retrieve the key, the prize you receive is the jewel accompanying the artwork. You are instructed to send the key to the author and in exchange, he would send you the valuable treasure. There is over ten thousand dollars worth of precious jewels. So far, three have been discovered in Chicago, Cleveland, and the most recent, Boston. 

Preiss was sadly killed in a car accident since, but his estate has chosen to honor his endeavor. You can purchase his fascinating book in which you will find the 12 images and 12 verses along with an unusual and fanciful story about the Fair People on Amazon and several other outlets.

So, lets challenge your wits and have some fun doing so at the same time with a little incentive. I invite you to be the first to solve the accompanying verses with a prize on the completion of a successful journey. It won't be an expensive ruby, but it does have monetary value. If you love the Holy City, it will be an enjoyable hand-son quest to some of its most cherished sights where you must collect vital information by way of challenging clues needed to take you all the way to the secret location. A capsule is buried just underneath the surface with instructions inside.

I know there are individuals who have extensive knowledge of our charming city over others who may be new to the area, so we will see how you fare. The equalizer, I believe, is the clues. They make it a level playing field for everyone.

Check out my recently released book on Amazon, Charleston and Summerville, South Carolina, Soak in the History-Bask in the Amenities. It talks about "the chilling ghostly drink," the "telling ball," and much more. Enjoy Charleston and have fun, my friends.

Expedition South Carolina Waters Exploring Charleston's Diverse Ecosystem And Habitats--Past And Present

Caressed by the splendor of the rising sun and often threatened by the fury of the Atlantic Ocean, the picturesque and historic city of Charleston presides over her panorama like a queen. Resting on a peninsula cradled by the meandering currents of two merging tidal rivers, the vibrant and diverse downtown cosmopolitan and its welcoming deep water harbor are sheltered and sustained by a chain of barrier islands from Cape Romain to the ACE Basin. Some are inhabited and some are not. Some you can access by car and others only by some form of watercraft. Each of these delicately balanced islands are fringed by pristine, sandy beaches with stands of old, weatherworn oak, palmetto, magnolia and pine trees and linked to the mainland by a maze of verdant saltwater marshes and nutrient rich creeks. All of this natural grandeur makes Charleston a wonderland for water enthusiasts and camera toting naturalists.

Charleston's charismatic character has been molded over a long and illustrious history dating all the way back to the 1600's. Its rise to prominence was greatly influenced by the waters that saturated its diverse coastal topography from the average 5.5 foot saltwater marauder pouring into its estuaries twice a day from the Atlantic Ocean to the freshwater river systems flowing down from the state's upper Sand Hills.

Along its two major waterways, the Ashley and Santee-Cooper, visionaries manipulated their flow to ship goods and build sprawling rice plantations. These islands of affluent aristocracies and commerce would make Charleston the economic powerhouse on the eastern seaboard and a major shipping port, until the crushing affects of the disastrous Civil War squeezed the life out of their once glorious rice domains. Since, these river systems have been manipulated for another use, electricity, particularly the Santee-Cooper with the formation of Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion in 1939.

Today, on and within the Ashley and Santee-Cooper, remnants of a rich history remain for us to explore, absorb, and educate. But not only is it a treasure trove of history, it is an ecosystem filled with natural beauty and abundant wildlife imploring to be seen by all. With this thought in mind, a small group of Summerville resident scientists, photographers, and explorers headed by oceanographer Dave Eslinger are in the planning stages to accomplish this esteemed directive. The Expedition Team is reaching out to local schools and teachers to explore ways to make the accumulated data available for their use to benefit the students in their educational community.

Eslinger's Expedition South Carolina Waters, supported by a grant through the Open Explorer S.E.E. Initiative, have acquired a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) called the Trident to assist in accomplishing the expedition's goals. The Trident will give the expedition team the ability to search and unlock by way of video photography the history and mysteries sealed below Charleston's rich waters. Along with the Trident, information will be acquired with the use of satellite documentation, drones, hand held cameras, and microscopy.

To begin, the expedition will concentrate on the Santee-Cooper waterway and eventually head up the Congaree River to Columbia, a one-time major transporting route which included the Old Santee Canal constructed in 1763--now submerged under Lake Moultrie. We invite you to follow the expedition's progress as the Team shares the imagery and information collected. In the meantime, the Team would appreciate your support by becoming a follower. You can sign up at National Geographic Expeditions South Carolina Waters and click on the FOLLOW tab. There, you can also read Dave Eslinger's bio and more expedition information. Thank you so much for your support and we look forward to sharing and hearing from you.

The Expedition Team: Dave Eslinger, Rick Olson, Adam Stover, Paul Zoeller, Brad Mallett, and myself.

Let The Light Through--A Piece Of Charleston's French Heritage

French is considered to be "le langage de l'amour." So, one may ask: What is it about French that qualifies it to be called "the language of love?" One reason, French is very euphonious. The tone of the spoken words tend to be more delicate sounding to the ears. Also, vowels and consonants are well distributed resulting in more harmonious phrases. Finally, the need to conjugate verbs makes it ideal for writing poetry and music.

Take for example, the French phrase "claire-voie." Attempting to pronounce the phrase in English, a person may be inclined to say it as if it were pronounced "clairevoyee," when actually the correct pronunciation, as if it were spoken in English would sound like "claire-vua" in proper French. You would have to agree, it is more "poétique."

I first came across the phrase "claire-voie" while researching the history of Charleston's wrought iron legacy for a recent article. It was listed along with such items as nails, boot scrapers, horseshoes, balconies, locks, and latches, which were used by colonial Charlestonians. To me, it seemed to be out of place.

When I looked up the translation of the phrase, I discovered it to mean "let the light through" or more literally an "openwork." A "claire-voie" is typically achieved with hedging or it can be an ironwork screen, openwork fence, gate, or grille placed in a wall through which a vista can be enjoyed. One of the most famous examples of a claire-voie is a round opening in a hedge of the White Garden at Sissinghurst Garden Castle in England.

I have strolled the wrought iron rich streets south of Broad Street many times and never realized the grated openings in residential walls allowing passersby a peek into the beautifully landscaped gardens beyond had a name. So, armed with my newly acquired information, I packed my camera and headed for the downtown peninsula of Charleston to search out examples of a claire-voie. I found them to be everywhere. This is a small collection I gathered on my excursion.

The French language is no stranger to Charleston. There has been a French influence in the city since its early colonial days. The Hugenots, French Protestants fleeing persecution and seeking religious freedom, came to Charleston in 1680 to start a community. The early congregation was made up of these Hugenot refugees sent by King Charles II to establish themselves as artisans and tradesmen. Within the original walled city, the district became known as the now famous French Quarter.

Preceded by two other churches, the still standing Gothic Revival-style French Huguenot Church, located at 136 Church Street, was completed in 1845. It was the first building of this style constructed in Charleston. Wealthy French merchants established a business presence and built homes. Legare Street is named for goldsmith Solomom Legare "the Hugenot," who built the first house at 32 Legare Street.

Like a surging Atlantic tide, peoples of varying cultures spilled into a river fed inlet of a distant new world and washed unto the shores of an oyster laden peninsula where they established what would grow into a bustling international sea port called Charleston. In this shared space, their varying beliefs and distinct dialects converged. They exchanged ideas and architecture. The French claire-voie was one of those shared concepts that found its way into the beautifully fashioned gardens of the elegant estates of America's most celebrated historic landscapes.