The historic city of Charleston, South Carolina, offers a wealth of monuments, museums, and historical sites to explore. Middleton Place, a sizable plantation located not far from downtown Charleston, is one of these many treasures.
Middleton Place, one of the oldest plantations in the South, was established in 1741 and has served as the Middleton family’s residence for more than 320 years. The plantation has a long history and has had a significant impact on the development of South Carolina.
Visitors can get a glimpse of what it was like to live on a Southern plantation in the 18th and 19th centuries by visiting Middleton Place’s main house, also known as the House Museum. The Middleton family’s extensive collection of original furniture, artwork, and other artifacts is displayed throughout the entire home. To learn about the history of the family and the part the plantation played in the American Revolution and the Civil War, guests can take a guided tour of the home.
The meticulously kept gardens at Middleton Place are one of its most impressive features. Henry Middleton, who traveled widely in Europe and was inspired by the gardens he saw there, created the gardens in the 1740s. There are many different types of plants and flowers in the gardens, such as camellias, azaleas, and magnolias. The enormous Middleton Oak, a live oak tree thought to be over 900 years old, serves as the gardens’ focal point. The tree is so big that it would take ten people to reach around the trunk with outstretched arms!
Middleton Place has a number of additional attractions for guests to enjoy in addition to the House Museum and gardens. A working plantation’s daily operations are depicted in The Stableyards, a living history exhibit that also features demonstrations of blacksmithing, pottery making, and woodworking. Additionally, visitors can interact with the plantation’s resident horses, cows, and sheep.
The Eliza’s House exhibit provides a sobering look into the lives of the enslaved people who lived and worked on Middleton Place for those who are interested in the history of slavery in the South. The exhibit, which is housed in the formerly occupied living spaces of the plantation’s enslaved population, features interactive exhibits and interpretive displays that highlight the tales and experiences of the people who were once held in bondage on the property.
The Plantation Stableyards, a different feature of Middleton Place, allow visitors to see some of the animals that were once used for labor and transportation on the plantation. Visitors can watch demonstrations of plowing and other agricultural tasks that were once carried out with the assistance of these animals in the stableyards, which are home to horses, mules, and oxen.
Visitors to Middleton Place have access to a variety of dining options, including the Middleton Place Restaurant, which serves traditional Southern fare made with seasonal ingredients from the neighborhood. The eatery is housed in a structure from the 18th century and has a welcoming dining area with views of the plantation’s gardens.
The plantation also provides a number of lodging choices for those who wish to stay longer at Middleton Place. With 55 rooms and suites tucked away among the property’s gardens and wooded areas, The Inn at Middleton Place is a charming bed and breakfast situated on the grounds of the plantation. The inn offers breakfast and afternoon tea, as well as access to all of the plantation’s activities.
Middleton Place has something to offer whether you’re a history buff, a nature enthusiast, or just looking for a leisurely day trip from Charleston. Middleton Place is a true haven of history and nature in the heart of the Lowcountry with its gorgeous gardens, historic house, and living history exhibits.