Monday, February 13, 2012

Boone Hall

Feb. 12-Saturday--A trip to Boone Hall

We decided we would do a "small" plantation today.  One that would not take too many hours.  Guess we are getting lazy in our new southern life. 

The land was given to Major John Boone in 1681 by the Lords Proprietors.  (will have to look that one up!)  There have been 4 on the plantation, the last one being built in 1936 in the antebellum style.  The original house burned, second destroyed by hurricane, and the 3rd was torn down by the new owners when they built in 1936.
In 1743, the son of Major John Boone planted live oak trees, arranging them in two evenly spaced rows. This spectacular approach to his home symbolizes southern heritage and will take root in your memory for many years to come. It would take two centuries for the massive, moss-draped branches to meet overhead, forming today's natural corridor.
The first thing we did was catch the live presentation of the evolution and development of the Gullah Culture in the Lowcountry.  We are so glad we did see this, as the woman giving the performance was amazing and we learned so much about the culture and history of Gullah.
"Exploring The Gullah Culture" -  Presented In SeasonBoone Hall Plantation is the only plantation in the S.C. Lowcountry to present a live presentation of this unique culture adapted by African slaves. These entertaining and educational performances take place in The Gullah Theater, which is located at the end of Slave Street
 Next we listened to the talk about slave life at Boone Hall Plantation.  There are 9 remaining cabins that were built with bricks made on the property, one of the money making ventures for the plantation.  The bricks that were used were the rejects.  There were 27 of these brick cabins, used by the most skilled slaves: the house help, blacksmiths, cooks, etc.  The field slaves had wood frame cabins and none have survived.  The slave street row of cabins are the oldest remaining in the U.S., dating back to 1790.
For more info on the Boone Hall Plantation visit:  Boone Hall

It was a nice day when the sun came out, but a little chilly and windy.   We stopped in to the Butterfly cafe to wait for a coach ride around the plantation.  This was our lunch:
Kettle corn!
We finally decided it was not worth waiting for an hour for the next coach tour, so headed home.  Some random pictures from the day.
Poppies-sideways, forgot to turn it around!
We love the live oaks! 
Can't get enough of the moss in the trees.

We were really interested in this.  We just have the parasite, Mistletoe in our Oklahoma trees.
Imagine that, it's us!
sitting on the front porch wait for the tour
Steve and Kathi also waiting

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for the tour and the great pictures. I especially found the information about spanish moss interesting. Isn't it great playing tourist?

    Just BS!(Bob and Sue)

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  2. It is especially fun to be a tourist when we aren't on a time schedule. No running here and there because we have to leave in two days!

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