Drayton Hall

Museum · Charleston

Drayton Hall

Museum · Charleston

3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414

Highlights

Experience the serene beauty of this well-preserved antebellum plantation, where rich history intertwines with tranquil grounds and an African-American cemetery.

3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414 Get directions

draytonhall.org

@draytonhall

@goop

"Born on Magnolia Plantation, John Drayton was the son of Thomas and Ann Drayton, a prominent colonial family in early South Carolina. He purchased Drayton Hall plantation in 1738, in the days when South Carolina (along with the rest of the country) was still a colony of Great Britain. In fact, the building is famous among scholars of architecture as the first fully executed example of the symmetrical, European Palladian style in America. Since then, the home has played an important role in practically every one of the region's historic events, from the Revolution to the Civil War to Reconstruction, making it an ideal—and stunningly beautiful—place to learn about South Carolina’s unique history, including the history of slavery. Today, the 350-acre property and painstakingly-restored house are open to the public, hosting tours of the house, lectures, and walks throughout the day. "

The Charleston Guide

View Postcard for Drayton Hall

@cntraveler

"Drayton Hall is one of the properties that offers a deep dive into Charleston's history." - Allston McCrady

10 Best Historic House Tours in Charleston | Condé Nast Traveler

View Postcard for Drayton Hall

Lorie Vitello

Google

Wonderful tour of Drayton Hall yesterday! Original plantation home, grounds and museum holding artifacts discovered on the property. Excellent presentation by Jayne discussing the history of the family and the architecture and preservation of the home.

Echo What

Google

It's a little weird visiting a plantation but thr amount of history they have persevered is amazing. The property is so gorgeous and the guides are really sweet. We even had a chance to visit the enslaved graveyard they had. If anyone visits please be extremely respectful to the land and it's history.

Douglas Hajj

Google

Beautiful plantation with rich history. Tour guide not very accommodating with exploration of the house, details easily found in books about the property ownership and history explained as unknown, and various inconsistencies or knowledge about regular English customs and etiquette. Very nice property, go see it, then do your own research.

Lisa Wolfe Design

Google

The introduction to the plantation is very well done -- both the movie and the personal intro with the tour guide. It really helps set up what you are seeing (although I wish the movie had even more information in it about the history and family tree). the literature as helpful and let you get a Birdseye view of the property. I brought my family along for the tour (husband and 81 year old parents and cousin) and they all really enjoyed it.

Nichole

Google

Visitor center has a small museum in which many primal artifacts are kept that tell more of the history of this particular plantation. Our interpreter was very knowledgeable about the history of the Drayton family and the plantation. The conversation surrounding the life of the enslaved persons was really sugar coated and while they were referenced many times, the harsh realities of their life there was not really conveyed in a way that was brutally honest. The cemetery of the enslaved persons and caretakers home are especially great parts of the visit.

Kim Mayton

Google

I went to Drayton Hall for a candlelight tour. It was a very nice main house & to learn about the history there. It’s nice to learn about old places & the history they hold.

David Lewis

Google

This is a remarkable piece of history. The tour guide is a historian there not just an employee. It’s a beautiful house and the self guided tour walk is really cool. We saw a fawn in a ditch and lots of birds as well. Totally worth the visit!

Tiffany G.

Google

I visited Drayton Hall on 1/12 and I absolutely loved it as I love history and appreciate historical structures. They have a very clear introductory video and a very nice display of furniture and other historical pieces in their museum before you head to the house. My tour guide was very informative and I am just sorry that I forgot his name, but he was so knowledgeable on the history of the estate and in general the history of America at that time. The estate itself is beautiful and I can just imagine how this place looked in its prime. I enjoyed reading the map that captured the changes of the land now vs then near the enslaved cemetery and can only imagine where their houses were as there are no standing structures left. I enjoyed listening to the archaeological finds when they were doing some renovations in the basement and on the grounds, tons of history on this land even before the Draytons.

@goop

The Charleston Guide

View Postcard for Drayton Hall

@cntraveler

"Drayton Hall is one of the properties that offers a deep dive into Charleston's history." - Allston McCrady

10 Best Historic House Tours in Charleston | Condé Nast Traveler

View Postcard for Drayton Hall

Lorie Vitello

Google

Echo What

Google

Douglas Hajj

Google

Lisa Wolfe Design

Google

Nichole

Google

Kim Mayton

Google

I went to Drayton Hall for a candlelight tour. It was a very nice main house & to learn about the history there. It’s nice to learn about old places & the history they hold.

David Lewis

Google

Tiffany G.

Google

Drayton Hall

Drayton Hall

Photos

Highlights

You might also like