When Charleston was first founded by English settlers in 1670, the territory was granted with an express command to develop it into a profit-making center. Fortunately, Charleston has a natural deep-water harbor perfect for establishing trade. Soon trade in a variety of goods, in particular rice and indigo, established Charleston's wealth and prosperity.
The invention of the cotton gin and improvements in the rice crop cultivation were an added boost to Charleston's economy. By 1750, Charleston was the fourth largest city in Colonial America and the wealthiest. Much of the wealth was due to the plantation system, which was the lifeblood of Charleston until after the Civil War.
Charleston was also the first port to receive slaves, on which the plantation system was largely dependent. The slave trade, a huge business in the area, earned Charleston the nickname "Ellis Island for African-Americans."
A plantation system during the 18th and 19th centuries functioned as a small, self-sufficient town. The main house was flanked by several outbuildings, such as the overseer's house, slave quarters, carriage houses and other dwellings.
The McLeod Plantation provides an excellent view of a typical plantation establishment. According to an 1870 census, for instance, the plantation had 74 slaves living in 26 dwellings. The slave quarters, measuring 20' x 12', were of wood-frame construction. The primary crops produced on the land were beef, some indigo, long-staple Sea Island cotton and rice.
The main house showcases the elegance of the Southern Colonial style, with its three-story, wood-frame structure. The interior has a double pile floor plan with a central stair hall and two interior chimneys. As with most plantation homes, the kitchen was in a separate structure to prevent destruction of the house in case of fire.
Touring a plantation today offers the opportunity to experience the life and times of the people of that era. Although that society collapsed with the abolition of slavery, its elegance has endured in much of the architecture and style in the city.
McLeod Plantation was purchased from the Historic Charleston Foundation in 2004 to create a permanent home for the new American College of the Building Arts (ACBA). Read more about how Charleston is preserving their legacy...
For a list of must-see plantation tours and contact info, please click here.
Authentic Lowcountry cuisine, charming ambiance, coupled with an award-winning wine list will make dining at 82 Queen an incomparable experience. With gracious Southern hospitality and fresh local cuisine, 82 Queen has been providing her guests with a uniquely “Charleston” dining experience for almost a quarter of a century. Charleston’s historic French Quarter.
A traditional gallery featuring nationally and internationally recognized painters and sculptors. The gallery focuses on twentieth and twenty-first century representational art. Many of the artists are members of significant art organizations. Several of the sculptors have internationally acclaimed monumental bronzes on public display both here and abroad. In the heart of the antiques and art district of historic Charleston.
Contemporary fine art - paintings, prints, photographs, and sculptures by carefully selected master, mid-career and emerging artists. Our International, National, Regional, and Local artists work in a broad range of styles and media. New works are added regularly. The gallery is a pleasant, relaxed, and friendly setting. Art for serious and beginning collectors and those who simply enjoy looking at beautiful works of art.
When Charleston was first founded by English settlers in 1670, the territory was granted with an express command to develop it into a profit-making center. Fortunately, Charleston has a natural deep-water harbor perfect for establishing trade. Soon trade in a variety of goods, in particular rice and indigo, established Charleston's wealth and prosperity.
The main house showcases the elegance of the Southern Colonial style, with its three-story, wood-frame structure. The interior has a double pile floor plan with a central stair hall and two interior chimneys. As with most plantation homes, the kitchen was in a separate structure to prevent destruction of the house in case of fire.
Authentic Lowcountry cuisine, charming ambiance, coupled with an award-winning wine list will make dining at 82 Queen an incomparable experience. With gracious Southern hospitality and fresh local cuisine, 82 Queen has been providing her guests with a uniquely “Charleston” dining experience for almost a quarter of a century. Charleston’s historic French Quarter.
A traditional gallery featuring nationally and internationally recognized painters and sculptors. The gallery focuses on twentieth and twenty-first century representational art. Many of the artists are members of significant art organizations. Several of the sculptors have internationally acclaimed monumental bronzes on public display both here and abroad. In the heart of the antiques and art district of historic Charleston.
Contemporary fine art - paintings, prints, photographs, and sculptures by carefully selected master, mid-career and emerging artists. Our International, National, Regional, and Local artists work in a broad range of styles and media. New works are added regularly. The gallery is a pleasant, relaxed, and friendly setting. Art for serious and beginning collectors and those who simply enjoy looking at beautiful works of art.
