Middleton Place is an old rice plantation located a few miles from Charleston, SC. It was established in the late 17th century by Henry Middleton , who was the first president of the Continental Congress. He passed it on to his son Arthur Middleton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is absolutely one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. They have the oldest landscaped gardens in the country, established in 1741. It has been in the same family for over 320 years and is now a National Historic Landmark. I don't know the words to describe it. The first time my husband and I went we were visiting Charleston. Kevin (who was the concierge at the time) at Holiday Inn suggested we eat dinner there and afterwards we could walk the grounds for free. I thought sounds good to me!
We arrived at Middleton Place to see huge old oak trees dripping with spanish moss. At one time there were three building comprising the residence of the Middletons. Two of the buildings were burned during the civil war and what is left is referred to as the 'gentlemen's quarters'. It was built for men who traveled to visit the Middletons to have a place to stay the night. The first building that was in the center was considered to be too small for the family and visitors to stay. Back then the ride from Charleston on horse and carriage was 4 hours. Because of this people often spent several days.
There is a beautiful pond behind the house on the east side. The large oak tree branches dangle over the water. Beyond the pond there is a hill called azaela hill. We were told there are over 26,000 azaela shrubs planted there. Without a doubt the best time to visit is the spring. I've only been during the summer and it's absolute gorgeous and that's when very few flowers were blooming!
Rice Mill Pond
Behind the house are two lakes called the 'butterfly lakes'. There is no way you can take a picture and capture them entirely. The pictures on their website are taken from a helicopter. It took slaves 10 years to dig these by hand. To the right is the old rice mill. There's an actual rice field behind the butterfly lakes. And behind the rice field is the Ashley River.
The butterfly lakes with the Rice Mill in the far right corner.
Directly behind the house are two long rows of gardens. They hold many camellia shrubs, one they claim is over 200 years old. There is written evidence that the first camellias were introduced to the New World at the Middleton Place. They were brought over by Andre Michaux and planted at the four corners of the Main Parterre (long rows of gardens). In the southwest corner there still lives a large old camellia thought to be the original planted by Michaux in the late 18th century.
To the west of the house are the 65 acres of formal landscaped gardens. The gardens represent the symmetry of 17th century European gardens. There are terraced gardens, hidden gardens, and reflection pools home to swans.
Swans at the long reflection pool.
These magnolia trees line the reflection pool and are over one hundred years old.
This is a pic of my husband holding up the Middleton Oak. Robert Van Pelk, a research ecologist who has studied this tree perhaps more than anyone states the oak's volume of wood is 5,000 cubic feet making it the largest oak in eastern North America.
There is also a two family home on the property that was for freed slaves. The man that told us the history of the home and the slaves was very informative. It is definitely worth your time to take the African American Focus Tour.
Eliza's house
There are also stable yards full of chickens, horses, sheep, goats, and even water buffalo. They also have weaver, cooper, carpenter, potter, and blacksmith demonstrati
ons.
One of the buildings in the stable yard
The beautiful horse stable
I can't wait to go back! I want to visit during all of the different blooming times of the year. I think I'll like Spring the best. When we were there taking these pictures the temperature was well over 100 degrees and the heat index was 117 degrees. I love being there so much not even the sweltering heat could keep me away! I hope you enjoyed this little tour of Middleton. I say little tour because there is so much more to this wonderful place than I have shared on here. You just have to go see the rest for yourself! 
Welcome to Beneath the Magnolias! Hi, I'm Angie! I like paint brushes, glue guns, power tools, and old stuff, especially furniture. If it can be made I want to make it. If it can be painted I want to paint it. If it can be built, yep, I want to build it! I now sell my furniture pieces and home decor items at University Pickers in Huntsville, AL. I hope during your visit you will be inspired to craft, paint, and use power tools too. Let's be creative together.
