McLeod Plantation

McLeod Plantation, James Island, SC  

I joined my friends English and Maria (thanks Maria!) at McLeod Plantation this fine cool morning for a program called "Christmas Through the Eyes of the Enslaved" brought to life by a guide named Olivia who did a wonderful job telling stories that brought the period to life. 

What did Christmas mean in an enslaved time? Commonly slaves would be allowed time off during the Christmas season, but the amount of time varied from plantation to plantation. Although time off was expected, the plantation owners made it clear that the expectations of an enslaved person didn't stop. Christmas is commonly thought of as a joyous time, but heartbreak and sadness still took place for the enslaved people, therefore the meaning of Christmas differed between plantation owners and the enslaved and how this meaning transitioned after the Civil War. 

Thanks to my friend Dale who grabbed a shot of us!

Now this, is a tree!

McLeod Oak, Charleston, SC 

I have a new favorite tree (as I often do)! This one is the McLeod Plantation Oak tree and is estimated to be 600 years old.

McLeod Plantation

McLeod Plantation, Charleston, SC  

I finally made it out to McLeod Plantation, the latest addition to the Charleston County Park system. I've driven by it so many times and stopped to take pictures from the street. It's wonderful to be able to explore and learn about this historic and significant piece of property. The New York Times has already done a write up on it.

In this case the picturesque row of white cottages were slave quarters and you are invited to take a look inside most of them and walk the avenue of oaks down to the river.

Established in 1851, McLeod Plantation has borne witness to some of the most significant periods of Charleston’s - and our nations - history. Today McLeod Plantation is an important Gullah/Geechee heritage site carefully preserved in recognition of its cultural and historical significance. The 36-acre plantation is a peaceful, moss-draped oasis sheltered from the hustle and bustle of James Island, just across the Ashley River from historic downtown Charleston. The grounds include a riverside outdoor pavilion, a sweeping oak allée, and the McLeod Oak, which is thought to be more than 600 years old.

A peak at McLeod Plantation

McLeod Plantation, James Island, S.C.

I am itchy and twitchy, ready to go out for a brisk walk and it is pouring rain. I've swept the porch, replaced a light bulb ...blah, blah, blah. Weekends aren't really for housework are they? It's too wet to take a camera out at the moment but here are a few shots I took yesterday on my way home from my first zumba class (scary thought with my rhythm!).

I've driven past McLeod Plantation hundreds of times admiring the beautiful piece of property but never taken a pictures of it and yesterday I realized why. They have slapped "No Trespassing - This Means You, Joan" signs all over any easy access. I pulled around the corner and walked back but there is no sidewalk and I had to take my life in my hands walking on the edge of heavy traffic.

What a lovely spot. The line of old slave cabins leads up the avenue of the oaks to the plantation house. According to the 1860 census 74 slaves lived in 26 cabins. More here but this is a bit of the story:

William Ellis McLeod passed away at the age of 105 in the same room he was born in. In his will, he left his interest in the plantation to the Historic Charleston Foundation, with the stipulation that it be preserved as a "single family residence, to preserve the Oak Avenues, and to provide that as much of the property as possible be restricted to single family residence or residences having the lowest possible density".

It's an expensive property to maintain and if they have their way, the Friends of McLeod Vision for the Future includes:

Among activities suggested:

• Church services and concerts under the oaks on a Sunday afternoon.


• Confederate and Massachusetts 54th and 55th re-enactors setting up camp and cooking with open fires for breakfast or lunch.


• Saturday Farmer's Market selling authentic local produce.


• A James Island Founder's Day - a homecoming once a year for James Islanders.


• Cooking demonstrations, tours, story telling.


• Tours especially designed for school children.


• Restoration of the grape arbor and plantings around it for use as a small special events rental area.


• Religious, business and corporate retreats.

If anyone has any pictures of the inside of the house please steer me to them. Meanwhile, it looks like one more project for me to fix up when I win the lottery. The list keeps growing.