Historic Landscapes

Overview

Drayton Hall is a National Historic Landmark and a National Trust for Historic Preservation site.

It is one of the finest examples of Georgian-Palladian architecture in the United States. It is located 10 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina on the Ashley River.

Drayton Hall's edifice has stood virtually untouched since John Drayton designed and constructed it in 1738, as his vision of a gentleman's country seat.

Click here for Historic American Buildings Survey of Drayton Hall.

Although Drayton Hall remains totally preserved and has never been renovated or modernized, little remains of the landscape and gardens from the eighteenth century.

Only secondary accounts remain from the John Drayton period (1738 -1779) but archaeological studies conducted by Lynnne Lewis have helped provide additional information on the landscape history.

Charles Drayton, the second owner of Drayton Hall kept a diary that has provided a more detailed picture of the historic landscape history (1784-1820).

Trained as a physician in Edinburgh, Scotland Drayton was also an accomplished botanist. Under his management, Drayton Hall evolved from a gentleman's country estate to a working plantation.

From the diary and papers of Charles Drayton, the close relationship between Drayton Hall and Andre Michaux, the French Botanist and explorer is established.

Charles Drayton, in his diary and papers describes in great detail Michaux's influence on Drayton Hall's landscape and gardens in addition to providing specific names and plant lists.

Many plantations on the Ashley River have claimed a connection with Andre Michaux. Only Drayton Hall has primary material that actually documents a connection to Michaux.

After Charles Drayton's death in 1820, Drayton Hall was occupied by the family for only short periods of time. During this period, the Drayton family had adopted a tradition of maintaining the house "as is", in an unrestored state without modern conveniences.

Drayton family legend attributes a sign posted at the entrance to Drayton Hall warning of an outbreak of smallpox, as the reason for the survival of the main house during the Civil War.

Another explanation for Drayton Hall's survival is the possibility it was used as a base of operations for the union. A letter written by Caroline Howard Gilman in August of 1865, to her daughter, which was published in the April, 1926 issue of Atlantic Monthly, "Did you know that all the old residences on the Ashley River were burned by the Northerners except Drayton Hall, which was used by them as a small post?"

After the Civil War low country vegetation and the encroaching piney woods began to reclaim the landscape. During this period squatters are said to have occupied the main house causing further deterioration.

Phosphate mining renewed the Drayton family fortunes and saved Drayton Hall. From 1870 to 1900, phosphate was mined at Drayton Hall. The house was stabilized and the landscape was maintained.

From 1900 to 1974, the Drayton family maintained the main house but did not occupy it on a permanent basis. Charlotta Drayton, would refer to her stays "as camping out."

In 1974, the National Trust acquired Drayton Hall and has presented and interpreted the house unfurnished and in its un restored state. By presenting the house devoid of furnishings Drayton Hall's architectural elements are highlighted with no distractions.

All images and documents courtesy of Drayton Hall a National Trust for Historic Preservation site.

www.draytonhall.org