ATTRACTIONS — USA:
Charleston – South Carolina – Drayton Hall

Tourists who are looking for a dose of real culture should look no further than one of the USA’s best kept secrets. Situated in traditional Charleston, South Carolina, Drayton Hall is one of the true heritage sites in the Deep South. Spanning over three hundred years of American history, this was one of the first original homes to be handed over to a Trust as a part of a restoration project.

The property was handed over to the National Trust in 1974 by the Drayton Family and has since become a landmark in American cultural history. The National Trust for Historical Preservation is a non-profit organization responsible for the upliftment and restoration of America’s historical sites. The property’s main attraction is the Main House which has been restored to as close to its original beauty as the historians say. Many architectural geniuses agree that the house is one of the best kept Georgian-Palladian developed homes around today.

The rest of the grounds consist of finely kept lawns and outhouses, also restored to their original splendour.

Drayton Hall has survived the American Revolution, the American Civil War and a massive earthquake in the late 1800s, which partially destroyed certain parts of the Main House. More recently, Drayton Hall has been under threat from urbanisation. However, the National Trust has invested large sums of money in not only restoring this wonder, but also in ensuring that any visitors to the grounds behave in an agreeable fashion. This is not to say that the rules are strict, by any means, but rather a level of trust between the Trust and those who appreciate the culture and history of the area.

Drayton Hall stands not only as a reminder of America’s Deep South plantation history, but also as a very useful educational tool. Tours for young and old alike run all year round with picnicking facilities available for those wishing to make a whole day of it.

Tourists visiting the area can take advantage of daily shuttles running from Downtown Charleston to Drayton Hall. There are many quaint, old hotels in the area as well, so those looking for a full taste of the Deep South culture should look at staying Downtown.