This is the light, candles at the time, hanging in the side entrance vestibule.
From here you walk a few steps down into the cellar, or up into the main house. Only guests of the owners used the front entrance. But that didn’t mean they would not make a side entrance less elegant.
‘According to the 1850 census, Aiken enslaved 7 individuals inside the urban residence, although the Aikens enslaved 878 people in the Charleston and Colleton districts combined. Ten years later, 1860, the number of enslaved people at the urban residence jumped to 19 individuals. By the time that the American Civil War broke out, at least 13 enslaved people were at the Aiken property, including 6 children.’ (Wikipedia)
Charleston, South Carolina.
This particular old home, the Aiken-Rhett house, has layers of old paint, 200 year old wallpaper peeling down, and even places you can see into the beams. This entire property is here to study and display history as it really was.
Because of this there is more to photograph than probably any other historical building in this old town.
Above, in this one corner are several generations of wall paint, original sheet music, and an old painting ‘wounded’ at some historical moment (that I don’t remember).
The wealthy family that owned this house for close to 200 years were art collectors. This house had so many statues and paintings they had to be placed in a separate part of the house. It’s the only section that is modernized. A climate control system was needed to preserve the old originals.
Charleston, South Carolina.
The Aiken-Rhett house is considered to be one of the best standing examples of a classic southern antebellum home.
Below, even the flight of stairs shows the wealth and luxury of the era prior to the Civil War.
Charleston, South Carolina circa 1850.
The stairs in the old house are circular like most of the era. These are just not open and free standing. What makes this so great is the view nearing the top.
Upstairs, just off the landing is always a show. You can be greeted by mirrors, heavy furniture on the walls, even old wicker chairs.
What ever you find it’s extra dramatic since the big windows shine light right in your face. Shadows and contrasts, the time of year you visit, all play into what and how you shoot.
This is a shot that I just knew I wanted in B&W.
Best viewed large.
OM-1 (1), OM 12-100 f4 pro
This is where the ‘lesser folk’ entered the manor house.
Charleston, South Carolina.
Bishop Francis Asbury noted in his journal that he preached at a revival in the “Indian Fields” on December 21, 1801 and January 13, 1803.
It was time for another visit.
Indians Fields, St. George, South Carolina.
OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r lens (ancient plastic fantastic, contrasty lens perfect for spots like this).
