Drayton Hall

This morning, we went to see Drayton Hall. The plantation had been the same family for seven generation before it was sold to the National Trust.  Unlike some of the restored houses in Charleston, and some of the restored plantations houses nearby, this one has been preserved.  When the Drayton family owned it, throughout all the generations, they never added indoor plumbing or electricity, so the house is pretty much as it was when it was built in the early 1700s, with whatever modifications the family made over time (I can honestly saw not much was done to it). The last Drayton to occupy the house used it as a summer home, and used to refer to it at camping out.

 Drayton Hall from the road approach.  Originally there would have been two outbuildings, one on each side. The first floor were the storerooms.  The actual living quarters started on the second floor.  Over 300 square feet, with only two bedrooms, but several reception rooms.

 

 

 Detail of the moulding in one of the formal rooms.  This was carved by hand out of mahogany.  Amazing!

 

 A portion of the servants' staircase.  Imagine going up and down this very narrow and steep staircase with a candle in one hand, and trays, or buckets or chamber pots in the other.  And no handrails!

 

 

 The original outhouse.  This had seven seats, at various heights, two with armrests.  It was later converted into an office.

 

 The house from the river. This is what visitors coming up the Ashley River and walking up the drive would have seen.