These were from a walk we took earlier today (2/20/2026) when suddenly it was sunny, almost hot, and we needed to get out.

Middleton was built in several phases starting in 1730 and the main buildings (3) completed maybe 1784. Henry Middleton was the President of the First Continental Congress. The formal US government was not in place, the Continental Congress  acted as the provisional government during the American Revolution.

Henry was the first President before the first President, George Washington.

Middleton Plantation is the home of the oldest landscaped gardens in the United States. Even now each spring people visit from all over the world (or they did) to view the oldest Camellia garden/plants in the country.

During the US Civil War the federal army had a goal of occupying Charleston since the first battle was in the cities harbor. It was considered the start of the war. The path to Charleston was down the Ashley River, right past several of the large and oldest plantations. Middleton was the first in their path. They burned Middleton, Magnolia, Runnemede, and only skipped Drayton Hall because they were treating small pox patients at the time.

This time of year Middleton is a good place to walk, photograph the farm, or have lunch/dinner in the public restaurant with the produce raised here.

The lawns around the gardens are huge, however they have 30 lawn mowers. A breed of southern sheep that don’t mind the heat and eat everything in their path. That’s why it’s important to close the fence gate as you wander. The oldest US garden is just another buffet to them.

Gates Open !!