Photographs taken of the children’s room in the ‘Aiken-Rhett’ house in Charleston. The original owner was John Robinson, a merchant who built the home but sold it early on. The Aikens purchased the home and kept in the family for generations.
The painting of a little boy caught my eye. It’s a period piece and I would like to say he was one of the Aiken children. Makes a great story. However, even with all the on-line documents available there is nothing on this room.
Children’s RoomChildren’s Room
I have a pretty big collection of images from this old building and like to review files and folders that have been held aside.
What better time than when we are riding out a hurricane. It’s so typical Charleston.
This is beyond the best viewed large suggestion. It’s tiny, and a long (long) ways off. It’s the only way to view this shot.
Last night we were out on an uninhabited barrier island.
When suddenly…
Unexpected, A First, Satellite Launches
The SpaceX launch came into view.
At first I though the ship had dropped booster rockets. More came so this was when the rocket was releasing the payload of new satellites. A bit later there was a smaller second release.
Wrong lens, wrong settings, perfect spot. We were out in the ocean to avoid ‘light pollution’ for milky way and star photography.
I admit that up north history was an abstract concept for me (and many people). You may learn of the Boston tea Party, or Paul Revere but visually it’s a plaque between two skyscrapers.
In the Lowcountry you have early US history, starting in the 1600’s, and you can walk up see it. Not long ago we sat on the steps of a rural plantation porch in the delta. The same exact spot also shared with George Washington, Â Marquis de La Fayette, and the ‘Swamp Fox’ Francis Marion. Click to view.
In Strawberry Chapel, Black And White
I first learned of Strawberry Chapel in 2016 from a group of local photographers that documented the history of the Lowcountry. Landmark sites like this but also to the smallest rural General Store that were still standing from the 1800’s. I was hooked. Finally September 2022 we were able to get past the old stone wall and visit the chapel.
I believe sometime the in the mid 1800’s the prayer and wreath were added. They are made of small pine cone petals sewn together.
In Strawberry Chapel, Black And WhiteIn Strawberry Chapel, Black And White
A restoration was just completed here. Over the years water damage happened, the walls were in need of a re-plaster (using the old methods), and windows were repaired. I’m sure 297 years has taken a toll.
In Strawberry Chapel, Black And White
There will be a service and baptism here next month. Usually there are four dates a year the chapel opens. This is the only complete Chapel of Ease I have seen, others were ruins. It’s a National Landmark with private owners dating back to it’s creation.
This is something I had only seen once before, in an old town cemetery in New England. I know of 3 in the Lowcountry.
A receiving tomb is a temporary shelter to hold the deceased until burial. Having no refrigeration brick structures, partly underground, hold the bodies until burial.
Most times this was used while family and friends came from distances. Here it could a day or more to arrive from Charleston, 20 miles away.
This is a view of the chapel that can rarely be seen. The property is surrounded by tall stone protection walls.
Back Side Of Old Strawberry Chapel
Outside the property was the ‘Town of Childsbury’. In 1707 it was a planned community by a ferry crossing the Cooper River. The chapel is all that remains, the town never fully developed.
This chapel of ease, on Strawberry Bluff, was built in 1725. The parish church, Biggins, was too far for the planters to attend services. Only a single church was allowed in the Anglican parish, however they could allow a chapel with limited functions such as baptisms and marriages.
Chapel Of Ease, Strawberry
At various times Strawberry was both a chapel and church. The parish church Biggins burned in a forest fire, was rebuilt and burned again by the British troops during the revolution, finally ruined during the Civil War.
Each time Biggins was damaged Strawberry became the temporary parish church.
Chapel Of Ease, Strawberry
Four communion services are held annually which visitors may attend. Strawberry Chapel and its burial grounds are on private property and not open to the public.
I still find it astounding this small Anglican Chapel has survived intact through both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, huge hurricanes, and even large earthquakes. Even the small merchant town here disappeared in the 1750’s.
Inside Strawberry Chapel
Below looking out chapel doors gives an idea of how small the building is. In the 1850’s a balcony was built over the door. It had to have been just big enough to crawl in. The front wall was damaged during a hurricane and the balcony was removed during repairs.
