Charleston, South Carolina: Fort Sumter and Boone Plantation

Charleston- a grand-dame of American Cities is very nice.  Sadly, we did not stay in the city, rather we made two day trips for specific sites to visit- Fort Sumter and Boone Plantation.  We did wander part of the old town for a bit, but not enough to actually post on the city as a whole.  I saw enough to know I must go back:-).

Fort Sumter (https://www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm)- the American Civil War started here.  Once South Carolina seceeded form the Union, they wanted all sites transferred to their control.  Fort Sumter resisted, and was fired upon by the Confederacy.  Fort Sumter itself is free to visit, but you must take a ferry to get there, and there is a fee ($18.50 for seniors, $21.50 for adults) because it is located on an island in Charleston Harbor.  Much of Fort Sumter is rebuilt, and there is an addition from later years that resembles a warship.  But original walls and artillery is still there.

The ferry is shaped like an old paddle wheel boat

View of Charleston Harbor

One of the many big canons still on-site

Added in the late 1800's, a battle ship shaped building was built.  It holds the museum and shop.

walls of the fort

main courtyard of the fort

American Flag that flew over Fort Sumter

South Carolina flag that flew over Fort Sumter

Boone Plantation (http://www.boonehallplantation.com/)- begun in the 1680's, this was a working plantation with slave labor.  Their crops evolved over the years and included cotton and pecans.  It is currently a working farm noted for their vegetables.  It is noted for the Oak Trees lining the entry way, and has been the site of several movies.  There have been 4 homes on the site, with the current home from the early 1900's.  The current owners still reside on the top 2 floors of the home, with the first floor open for tours.  The plantation has original slave homes, and story tellers about slave life.  Each of the 6 slave homes has different information on the life of slaves during slavery and following emancipation.

Oak Tree entry way:

The best story teller ever!  She sang old songs, and told stories  passed down from her great grandmother who
was a slave on this plantation.

The manor house- no photos were allowed inside

The Charles Pickney home  (https://www.nps.gov/chpi/index.htm) is located across the street from Boone Plantation.  It tells the story of Charles Pickney, a signer of the Constitution!