4/15/14 A bit of Magnolia's History

     Yesterday we had a glimpse of the beauty of the gardens at Magnolia, but there are many dimensions beyond the little bit of ground we covered, and today we will try to cover a bit of it.  Lisa Randle is the staff historian at Magnolia Plantation, and she along with others helped fill me in on a bit of the history.  Lisa is currently finishing her doctorate degree in history, and is researching old documents and papers from other families that had interaction with the Draytons.  The DuPonts are a current interest. 

Lisa Randle

     The story behind the creation of the gardens is a love story.  It is the story of the fourth owner of the plantation, John Grimke' Drayton.  He was the son of one of Thomas Drayton's (who had no male heirs) daughters and legally changed his name as a requirement of the inheritance.

John Grimke' Drayton

     In 1825 while in college seminary classes in New York, he met and married a woman from Philadelphia, who was afflicted with severe homesickness for her home.  In an attempt to make her feel at home, he brought clippings of many different plants from greenhouses in Philadelphia to plant and hopefully make her feel a bit more at home by planting and "earthly paradise."  Drawing on what he had learned in Europe from the Romantic Garden Movement that was ongoing at that time, he planted expansive gardens.  Although he never was successful in his attempts at changing her attitude, he did plant a beautiful gardens and accomplish many firsts in United States horticulture. 

     Magnolia Plantation is one of the highest demand wedding spots in Charleston SC, which in turn has been ranked as the United State's top wedding destination.  There are currently three different venues on the plantation for ceremonies and receptions and a fourth is being added.  This is the carriage house which sits on the river and is one of the locations.

    

Early photo of the gates at Magnolia

     Another great story from the plantation is that of Adam Bennett.  Adam, who had been a slave, was left in charge of the plantation when Sherman's troops arrived.  After they had destroyed the structures, he walked 300 miles to North Carolina to inform Mr. Drayton that the gardens had not been destroyed.  He was instrumental in convincing Mr. Drayton to return and rebuild, and he returned as well, now a free man.  Several of Adam's descendants still work to this day keeping the gardens and property in shape.

     Peacocks and hens roam freely about the plantation, making a colorful diversion in an already vibrant place.

     And, there are all those bridges.  This one emerges from beneath old growth bamboo and has a tree growing through its center.

     There is also a red bridge with flower boxes lining its edges.

     Statuary abounds throughout the gardens - much of it only obvious if one is looking closely.

     This one is actually a water fountain that was frequented by a pair of cardinals while I was there.

     Even the greenhouses and other horticulture buildings blend into the landscape.  This is home to 140 new varieties of camellias that have been bred and named here.

     There are many acres of woodland, pasture and old rice fields here.  Trams depart every few minutes to carry visitors around the property, including the Audubon Sanctuary, which we will visit tomorrow.  And with over 500,000 visitors a year, this is perhaps America's most loved gardens.

     One parting shot of the edge of one of the pastures.  If you want to visit Magnolia, you might check out Better Homes and Garden's website to print a free admission ticket on National Public Gardens day.  (coming up soon)  But regardless of when you visit, bring a picnic basket and get ready to relax.  There are picnic areas everywhere and the beautiful nooks and crannies are everywhere.

Have a great Wednesday !!

David

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4/14/14 Romantic Gardens of Magnolia Plantation

Ashley River; Charleston SC

     There are only a few spots that can be described as heaven on earth, and one such place lies close to Charleston SC.  In fact, this place is so special that in 1872 magazines in Europe said if one were to visit America, they must not miss Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and this place.  To find it, you head westward from the Morris Island Lighthouse at the mouth of Charleston Harbor and meander up the Ashley River.  

     Passing the historic district of Charleston and through the draw bridges that cross Rt. 17, you wander another ten miles upstream through tidal estuary.  The river narrows, and you arrive at one of the few old rice plantations that were salvageable after Sherman blazed his path of destruction through the southeastern United States in the final days of the Civil War. 

     By this point the river has narrowed to a couple of hundred yards, and if you can view it at sunrise it presents a vista that can only be deemed spectacular - even by the most skeptical of eyes. 

     A few of the old water gates for the rice fields are preserved and functional, leading to expansive rice fields that fueled this area's economy during the early and mid 1800's.

     Beneath the giant oak trees festooned with Spanish moss, shimmering magnolias, cypress and cedar trees that line the banks of the river you will find a path.  You will spot it immediately, because this path is lined with flower beds and flowering bushes and borders the river for about a half mile before turning inland.

     One of the first things evident is a level of intoxicating fragrance in the air that can only be caused by hundreds of thousands of blooms.  Continuing on the path leads over numerous decorative bridges and past still lagoons.   

     All manner of little places beg you to stop your journey and just abide a while.

      And on the path leads.  One would think that a path this splendid must lead somewhere magnificent.

     And it does not disappoint.  We finally emerge at the old plantation house at Magnolia Plantation, built by the Dreyton family.  It is currently owned and maintained by the 12th generation of Draytons and has been open for the public to enjoy since 1870..

    Spacious stairways lead past expansive piazzas (wrap-around porches) into the main house.

     We meet Tom Johnson, Executive Director of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.  Tom is quick with a laugh and a smile, but who wouldn't be if your work allowed you to spend your life in a place like this?

     "These are 'Romantic Gardens'" says Tom.  "They differ from formal gardens in that Romantic Gardens seek to cooperate with nature rather than control it.  The idea of a Romantic Garden is to have a place that looks natural, and this is the only large Romantic Garden in the United States.  I have 170 people who work diligently to keep the gardens looking unsustained."

     It is not often that I can spend a whole day shooting photos with an artistic approach, and enjoyable it has been.  So far, we have only made it through a few acres of gardens and this place is hundreds of acres in size.  Tomorrow we will speak more with Tom, go exploring and meet some special folks who make this place work.

Have a great Tuesday everyone !!

David

If you would like to contribute to this journey or to the foundation, just click Here.  If you have no idea what this is about, Click Here and Here.  Click Here to email me, and if you want to read today's meditation just click Here.  Thanks for your interest and support !!