Drayton Hall
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An early 18th century plantation on the Ashley River, Drayton Hall is a spectacular example of the Georgian Palladian style and remains very close to it's original condition. Surviving the Revolutionary and Civil Wars intact, the house is a rare and unique example of early plantation architecture from the period, and a fine model of grand living in the Colonial Era. Some outbuildings are missing but the main house preserved - without most of the modern 20 & 21st century conveniences.
A National Historic Landmark, Drayton Hall has also survived a number of hurricanes, a great earthquake as well as seven generation of one family and is shown unfurnished with the fine architectural details of the interior rooms as well as areas of underlying structure exposed to view. The Great Hall is decorated in the Doric order, with wood and plaster mouldings, fluted pilasters and a fireplace mantle and over-mantle inspired by Indigo Jones. The current ornate plaster ceiling was replaced in about 1850 after two previous ceilings failed, and can be compared to the original, more delicate ornately decorated ceiling of the Withdrawing Room which dates to 1742. The Georgian fireplace in the Ionic Order Withdrawing Room was replaced in 1802 and it is missing today, exposing the scar of it's existence prior to its removal by vandals in the 1970s.
The Stair Hall is a two-story space with 27 foot ceilings, the welcoming staircase has crafted mahogany wainscot, balusters, handrails and brackets featuring lotus and squash blossoms. One might spot bits of the original bright red-orange vermilion staining on some of the wood. A small area of the original plaster ceiling remains as a hint of the past grandeur of this amazing entrance hall.
The second floor Upper Grand Hall has higher ceilings than the first floor Great Hall and is decorated in the Corinthian order, and is one of the most ornate rooms in the house. The elaborate wall decoration hints at the grandeur of the missing ornate plaster of the ceiling, lost in the last quarter of the 19th century due to water damage. The Drayton family coat of arms is featured in the center of the over-mantle, revealing the importance of this room in showcasing the family's status.
Bed chambers and the English basement are some of the other areas open to viewing. Along with the house, the grounds are staged to show how the plantation gardens would have looked in the 18th as well as the 20th centuries. Archaeology is on-going, exploring the site, out-building foundations and looking for evidence of the past occupation of the family and the slave population who worked here. Drayton Hall is an intriguing and telling exposé of American and South Carolina Lowcountry heritage.
Drayton Hall
Highway 6l, Charleston, SC
phone: 843-766-0188
Once-daily pick-up at 8:45 am at the bus shed at the Charleston Visitors Center at 375 Meeting Street. Reservations required through 843-965-LIMO or 843-965-5466.
