Day 22 More of Charleston

Slept in till 7! Breakfast. Same as always. My bread/ their eggs and hot tea. After breakfast I set off down to the tip of Charleston, which is called “White Point Gardens” and a list of places to see on the way back. 

First unplanned stop was the Court House. Fully restored, glorious and free. The only issue is you have to go through a security screening to get in. The two guards ended up chatting to me about Australia, places to visit, the education system, etc and how to cook roast lamb. (I am sure that the Australian Government should have me on their payroll.) Instead of a ten minute stop, I was there for 45 minutes. 

From here I crossed the road to the Postal Museum, which was not open, but you could still see some amazing architectural features inside. On the other side of the road I found an entrance into St. Michael’s quite by chance. They are doing huge renovations outside. Inside you see examples of Tiffany stain glass windows. Once again families paid for their seat. Rich up the front and poor upstairs. More photos of amazing homes along Meeting St.

I stopped to do a tour at the Calhoun Mansion. No photographs inside, but the treasures inside were amazing. It was worth paying $16 to see SO MUCH and so many quality antiques in one house. Lots of famous artists represented. Possibly my favourites were the Louis Tiffany chandelier and the ceiling he created. 

Then I walked to the end of the street to White Point Gardens. From here you could just see Fort Sumter.  I walked along East Bay St, which overlooks the Cooper River. (So wide you would think it was ocean.) The Cooper River joins the Ashley River at White Point and becomes Charleston Harbour, before flowing out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Next was a tour of the Heyward- Washington house.( Washington stayed here for 8 days in 1791) Thomas Heyward was a signature to the Declaration of Independence. The tour led by a very knowledgeable docent. I was the only person in the tour. Some lovely inlaid furniture made in Charleston. The 1740’s outside kitchen was interesting, as was the garden set out as an exact historical replica. This house, like many others had seen good and bad times including a variety of owners and had been rebuilt in 1772 after one of the fires in the city. It survived the earthquake of 1886, with only minor damage.

I walked to the Old Slave Market on Chalmers St. There used to be 40 slave markets in the town. Originally the enslaved were sold in the open, but this was changed in an effort to “gentrify the town”. There was a huge amount of information. The conditions they suffered on the ships was appalling. Nathaniel Hayward owned the most slaves- 1,843 on three plantations. But it was interesting to note that only 3% of the white population owned 95% of the enslaved. 

From here I back tracked to The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon on East Bay Street. This huge building was originally built on the water front. It is now two blocks away. (40% of the city is land fill, some from ship ballast) I did a tour in here too, which was also interesting. The city was originally a walled city. In the dungeon you get a good indication of original construction and they have a great display down there of historic events about the city. Upstairs there was information about Washington’s visit and lots of paintings and photos about the Civil War. No need to ask where Charleston stands on that issue!

Now it was time to head back to the hotel via the huge supermarket – “Harris Teeter Grocery” -on the site of the original train station. And they had not only GF, but LF as well and everything in between. I stocked up on some supplies, mindful I only have one full day to go, but a half a day of plane travelling on Thursday. I will definitely need lots for those trips as the planes have nothing and even the airports can be bare. I’l be leaving here before breakfast.

I walked back just as the sun was setting.  I needed fat and carbs. Lunch today was an apple and a fruit bar. “Stickyfingers” was next door and had  a gluten free menu and two whole columns of great choices. I chose smoked pulled beef brisket and fries. It came on a roll and the beef was delicious, with a pile a delicious fries. 

Then it was time to return and begin the marathon downloading/ typing. Again I was interrupted by people walking past and wanting to know about the tea and cookies… to the left at the end of the corridor. (I could be employed by the hotel too.) But then they might charge me for using their light out in this section. The bedrooms are incredibly dark and no desk to write at.