Hampton Plantation – Charleston, South Carolina
South Carolina | SC Picture Project | Charleston County Photos | Hampton Plantation
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Hampton Plantation sits along the Wambaw Creek in McClellanville, inviting visitors in to wander its sprawling grounds. Once a wealthy rice plantation, it is now an interpretive site where people can learn about the history of slavery and rice. Many prominent South Carolina families have lived at Hampton Plantation, including the Horrys, Pinckneys, and Rutledges. President George Washington even visited the plantation in 1791, which is how the great “Washington Oak” in front of the house received its name.
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Special thanks to Katherine Schneider of Mount Pleasant, who painted this lovely piece entitled Evening Shadows at Hampton Plantation in July 2009. You can see more of her artwork by visiting Paint Charleston Daily.
Katherine writes, “I took advantage of the cooler weather today to paint “en plein air” (on location) at Hampton Plantation State Historical Site. The magnificent Washington Oak framing the plantation house’s stately front portico with moss draped branches is the subject I chose to paint this afternoon. The tree is said to have been saved from being cut down to provide a better view from the newly built front portico by President George Washington during his visit to Hampton Plantation in 1791.
“Now a mighty live oak, the tree was named in his honor. The lengthening evening shadows falling through the tree’s branches and across the front lawn create an interesting value contrast in my plein air painting of Hampton Plantation, the stately home of South Carolina’s first poet laureate, Archibald Rutledge.”
View more pictures of renowned South Carolina trees.
3 Comments about Hampton Plantation
August 3rd, 2012 at 4:15 pm
In 1958 I wrote a biography of Archibald Rutledge for an English assignment. I wrote him requesting an interview and a few weeks later my parents took me to Hampton on a chilly March Sunday. We spent the afternoon with him, walking around the property and then sitting in his personal living room having a cup of tea and cookies. Mr. Rutledge and his wife were so gracious. Before we left his home, he gave me two autographed books–”Santee Paradise” and “The Everlasting Light.” I treasure these books, as well as the memory of that beautiful day when I was privileged to spend time with Mr. Rutledge.
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Love this picture! My mother’s family were the Rutledges of South Carolina and she had, which I now have, a copy of “Home by the River” inscribed to “my dear cousin Yvonne”, by Archibald, with whom she had frequent correspondence. I was lucky enough to visit Hampton some years ago. Beautiful place!
April 14th, 2011 at 7:28 am
I met Mr. Rutledge at his home in Spartanburg when I was in high school. I had read most all his books. He was very kind to two young kids that just wanted to meet him.
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