End of the day, all the visitors had left.
A few photographers stayed late and were wandering around. We were hoping for a colorful sunset. This is the best we had. A storm was passing by off the coast bringing winds and clouds.
Most of us had stocked up on snacks and sweet tea (unsweet tea) curtesy of the plantation and had moved on to their favorite spots to shoot a bit before heading home.
Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina.
The main plantation house at Magnolia Plantation.
I believe the current building dates to the 1870’s. The previous house was burned, along with neighboring Runnymede Plantation, and Middleton by federal troops as they past the Charleston ‘Plantation Row’. Drayton Hall, 5 miles up the row (Ashley River) was ignored due to Yellow Fever being active in the house (or someone smart enough to fly the yellow warning flags out front).
A thought; hardly any plantations look like what we have been shown in the movies for years. The old Hampton Plantation (Santee Delta, SC) comes close. Forest Gump was filmed in several local plantations that come close.
Truth is most plantations either had no buildings being just big rice/cotton fields, or the homes were made of clay bricks. Termites and fires destroyed many homes. Only the wood from Black Cypress was as strong as clay bricks.
Charleston, South Carolina.
Taken while standing in the drawing room looking past the hall, grand stair case, and out a window view of an old cemetery.
An impressive slice of both architecture and history.
Entering this old manor house you were greeted with a floating spiral staircase and huge chandelier. It was all about keeping up with the other wealthy Charlestonians.
Every visit I look for new ways to photograph this scene. Over two hundred years later it still impresses.
The subject looks like John C Calhoun (click to view), not sure why this old photograph would be of him though. If you don’t know the name click the link above. The US has had more than one ‘less than honorable’ politician.
Old home in Charleston.
An upstairs back room on a large old  house.
Light played out nice here so I thought to use a monochrome format with a push on contrasts.
One of my favorite historical buildings, and rooms, in Charleston. Home to the Aiken family. The first Aiken was the founder of the South Carolina Canal and railroad. His son, Governor of the state.
Time has been suspended here.
Every time I visit I find something new.
There is an old manor house in Charleston that is one of the few historical structures that has been preserved, not renovated. By ‘preserving’ the building we have the ability to see things as a snap shot in time. It may be tattered and worn, after all it did survive a wars and earthquakes, yet it is incredible to see the history, wealth, and architectural designs.
Below is the entry way, small to shoot, but immense in creative design. Stairs on either side, marble, wrought iron, hand carved details everywhere. And this is the front door way !!
We visit the historical sites a few times each year. I walk out with a camera filled with photos. Playing catch up with my other style of photography.
Built in 1820, Elizabeth Street, Charleston, SC.
