Provost Dungeon, Charleston, S.C.

 (P post) The Provost Dungeon in Charleston South Carolina, The Old Exchange is quite an historic Landmark, a National Historic Landmark in fact.  You can tour the Old Exchange from 9 am -5 pm daily Mon-Friday.  Your tour includes The Great Hall, The Provost Dungeon, and the Colonel Isaac Hayne Room.  You'll see period pieces and original pieces.  This historic location was in fact where hundreds of slaves were sold, where President George Washington entertained (1791), where The United States Constitution was ratified (1788), and where The Declaration of Independence was presented to the people of South Carolina (1776).  The white wealthy people that is...but, that's another story in and of itself.

 The Provost Dungeon is many feet below the street, at the level of Rivers and was a prison used during The American Revolution.  As you move about characters come to live and tell their story.

 You see people chained to the walls, and some of the movements can be a bit scarey for small children.  If you're going to tour with small children, it would be wise to discuss a little bit about it before hand.

 The figures are quite realistic looking.

 This historic location is where an American Patriot, Colonel Isaac Hayne was in fact hung, after being sentenced to death by The British.

 The site is located at 122 Bay Street and worth the price of admission.

 There are many things to see and learn here, including the story of this woman, Rebecca Brewton Motte.  Though the stories about her and her accomplishment vary abit, it seems she became bigger then life after her death.  She was a very wealth woman, born into a prominent family, and married into another.  She owned 244 slaves.  Some say she used the arrows to light fire to her own house so that the British couldn't use it as a strong hold.  Other accounts indicate she gave the arrows to the military while she lived elsewhere...still quite comfortable in another of her homes.  However, she is considered to be an American Heroine that was involved in The British surrending Fort Motte...her house. 

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Drayton Hall, Charleston South Carolina

Drayton Hall
The front of the historic sign indicates this plantation house is the only one along the Ashley River that has survived. That's it architecture is that of Georgian Palladian. The nature of that architecture is that the house inside and outside is balanced. What is to the right of door for example visually appears to be the same as that on left. If a bookcase or fireplace is a room with a shelf or window or one side, you'll find the same feature on the other.

Side 2 of the sign talks about how grand, the Drayton families were. That William Henry (1742-1779) was a Revolutionary War Patriot, and Chief Justice in South Carolina, and a member of The Continental Congress. A person who fought for his rights, a person who fought to be free of someone else's control. It goes on to tell us Dr. Charles Drayton (1743-1822) was Lt. Governor, and John Drayton (1767-1822) was Governor of the State of South Carolina. Well yes, on the surface this would seem to be quite a family. It does not tell us about the huge number of slaves they owned. I personally found it ironic that a family who fought for their own freedoms, from the control of others would ignore the rights of others, and not only control them...as England tried to control the colonies; but buy and sell them and hold them in bondage.
This is the front view of the large plantation house. Notice the number of windows on each side of the door, the stairs lending up both sides. The balance of the design.

A side view gives you a feel for the depth and size of this house. This was indeed a grand house that would have been surrounding with out buildings, slave quarters, crops and the like.
And speaking of out buildings.

Notice again the balance with a doorway on each side of the fire place. The family crest above the fireplace. There were examples in the house where a door might not have been a door, but appeared to be by the way it way painted and the molding etc....this might have been one.

A magnificent tree. It was quite large with moss hanging down. Here it looks rather eery due to very bad smoke the day we were there; due to forest fires in the area.

Beautiful details even on the ceiling.

Excavation has taken place and plenty more scheduled. This plantation, is a preservation project , not a restoration project. There are 2 distinct schools of thought on learning history from historic areas/houses etc. Preservationists believe things should not be rebuilt, as rebuilding focuses on one time in history. They believe letting something stay in it's natural state is more of a living history. Personally, I disagree. I would rather have seen this place restored, to see it in all it's grandeur. The grandeur is what demanded the use of slaves, and as that was it's peak time, it's place in history such a vital part of our country; I'm not sure what happened to the house afterwards is of much interest. So, one family changed a color in a room, or added shelves or took out a wall...that seems insignificant to me. But, to see this house as it was, with period furnishes would have been a marvel to me

A small gift shop/museum is on the grounds.

Looking up to the 2nd story. Again...balance, details in the stairs and the walls.

Difficult o see, but if you click to enlarge and look where the Guides finger is pointing, you'll see a growth chart. Every year the family's children would measure up.

Another view of the staircase. Can't you see someone in a fine gown decending...making their appearance as the quest looked up?

Though the older generations don't appear to be buried on property there is a small circular grave area. Only 2 burials appear to be here, that of Mary Jervey Drayton (July 13, 1920 through March 22, 2006), and John Garrnett Nelson (March 11, 1939 through Dec 8th, 1999). Obviously these are very recent burials. The hope is that these later generations will have a place at The Drayton Home. The center stone reads Haciter Ad Astra, which was the family motto, meaning; "this way to the stars".
A model showing 2 additional buildings exists. One of these building footprint is marked from the excavations.

The plantation became part of a National Trust in 1974.

It was very interesting, and I do recommend the tours for adults; definitely not for small children. There's lots of talking and no one is permitted to touch anything, or sit down. Standing still and listening would be very difficult for children. There's also a rather heavy push for contributions to the cause at the end of the tour. I'm all for honoring and remembering history, and giving people the opportunity to participate via contributions. But, you see the sign about that as you drive in; it's on your ticket, and your pamphlet, signs in the gift shop...and so the push at the end of the tour seemed a bit over bearing to my way of thinking.

Sticky Fingers, Charleston South Carolina

It's Menu Monday time.
Well, doesn't that look good! Though this mouth watering picture of Ernie's Pecan Pie is on the wall at Sticky Fingers in Charleston, South Carolina...it's not on the menu. Got our attention because both hubby (who's name is Ernie by the way), and I love Pecan Pie.

We choose Sticky Fingers for dinner on our recent trip to Charleston because it was close to our hotel, Marriott's Renaissance in the historic district. We had walked, and walked, and walked all day long and wanted something close. During the day we had passed (several times) Sticky Fingers that seemed busy with customers, and assumed that to be a good sign. Sigh...it wasn't.

Our meals were very disappointing, again! We've heard raves about how good the food is in the south and so far I would argue that's not true. The decor is interesting, as the building there at 235 Market Street has 100 year old pine floors and dates back to 1875. Our waitress was friendly; but everything else was lacking. The food wasn't good. Hubby had what is suppose to be their award winning ribs, though he wouldn't give them any award. The dry rub appeared to be coated on top of the meat, not rubbed into the meat and cooked slow in order to absorb the flavors. He loves good slaw, but after a quick taste left it on his plate. I had the toughest brisket ever, tough and dry. A good slow good brisket usually falls apart, I had a hard time cutting this with a sharp knife.

The tables, chairs, and floors all looked like they needed to be cleaned. We ate, we didn't linger like we typically do. We learned from our waitress they were being purchased by a new owner. Perhaps that's a good thing; as it we would not return nor recommend this restaurant. It's in such a good location, I do hope the new owners can turn it around.

After returning home, I learned this was a chain restaurant, which had we known, we probably would have avoided. The chain started in 1992 in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina and now there are 16 locations throughout North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. We rarely enjoy dining at chains and this opinion certainly didn't change after our visit. The website indicates they boast southern and real low country charm. Don't let that lure you into thinking this is the place to go............it isn't!

Still hungry for a good brisket, since the above didn't satisfy my appetite, I purchased a brisket and will cook it slowly in my crockpot..........it will be tender and juicy, as it should be. Care to join me?

Join me again, next Monday for Menu Monday on Feb 20th

Smokehouse Charleston, South Carolina

This will be the first of many post about food during my travels. I'll be posting restaurant reviews on what I'll call Menu Monday's.

As the sign reads this is Southend Brewery Smokehouse, circa 1880 and is located at 161 E. Bay Street, Charleston, South Carolina, right on the corner (see street light), very near the waterfront.

Taking this photo was an after thought as we left after a late lunch. After thought....key words. Don't be mislead by the very nice webpage, the photo's showing white table cloths, the words fine dining, or best brewery, or must be experienced and not to missed, or even beautiful building.

Yes it has some unique character with old wood floors, and a glass elevator which takes you to the 3rd floor, though that doesn't make up for the bad food or bad service. I had a watery Bloody Mary and a very greasy and flavorless hamburger, and cold fries. Now not being a health fanatic, I actually enjoy a good greasy hamburger from time to time...we all know you need some grease to give the meat flavor. My burger was the worst of both worlds, no flavor and greasy. Hubby's crab sandwich wasn't bad and his beer (one brewed here at the facility) was ok. Though he felt one was enough.

I love old, I love historical...but that shouldn't be confused with dirty or in need of repairs. The stairs leading upstairs (where one must go to use the washroom) are covered with very dirty and badly in need of being replaced carpet. You can see the vats of beer from the 2nd floor and the game room is available there as well.

When we were initially seated, hubby noticed his chair was wet and so we moved to the table next to the one we'd been taken too. When the server and receptionist returned we told them of the wet chair. Though there were 2 of them (and we weren't there during a busy time), neither made an effort to dry the table and chairs off, or move the chair to an out of way spot to keep another patron from ending up with a wet bum. Bad service. The chairs at the table we moved ourselves to had crumbs on all chairs which we brushed off in order to sit down........again no effort on the part of the staff........though there was a group of 4 staff members very busy chatting with each other 2 feet away playing with their cell phones and talking about who got drunk last night.

We were never asked if we wanted anything else before out bill was tossed on the table. Definitely not "Southern Hospitality".

Another item that might make this establishment unique or interesting is the ghost story, which I learned after returning home and reading their website. So, if you're into a good ghost story I suggest you check it out; but let that be the end of your interest in this establishment. I do not recommend this restaurant and I would not return. It appears to me, it's been a very long time since those nice pictures were taken that you see on their webpage.

Stop in next Monday, Feb 13th for another review.