Wednesday, November 3, 2010

along the ashley river road


Inside a great American colonial house: Drayton Hall. It almost needs no explanation. Built on the banks of the Ashley River, it is arguably one of the finest surviving examples of Georgian architecture in this country. Preserved in an elegant state of decay, the woodwork has sustained only two coats of paint in almost 300 years. The house now stands empty, its furniture long ago scattered (though a few pieces may be seen at the Heyward-Washington House and the Charleston Museum).

It is one of my favorite places.

Lots more details in the Charleston set on flickr.

9 comments:

Style Court said...

Thrilled to finally see your own shots of Drayton! How I'd love to have walls with that soft patina.

L. said...

Ah, Drayton Hall-many a day I spent working on its fabulous history...I'm just a tiny bit jealous that you got to see it in person. :)

Frau S said...

I love your photo set. Drayton Hall is one of my favorites as well!

ArchitectDesign™ said...

i was wondering if you'd check kout drayton hall! Can't wait to check out your photos when I get home -just checked into my hotel in barcelona now and here i am cruising blogs. addicted!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for showing our city in such a beautiful way.

Emile de Bruijn said...

An excellent example of American wabi!

home before dark said...

"Preserved in an elegant state of decay"...hope to achieve that state of being for myself!

Such an air of mystery and yet familiar enough to see ghosts moving about and doors slamming!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, I wondered since you were at Drayton if you'd made it up the road to Middleton, so I checked your flickr and, sure enough! I hope you two set aside a few minutes to visit the Middleton Restaurant for a bite, it was soooo good years ago. I long to return, and oh the Inn at Middleton is something else altogether. Love viewing your flikr photos, thank you for sharing.

Janet said...

Courtney ~ eventhough that blue is a 19th-century color, I love it! so haunting!

L ~ it is an 8 hour drive. You will see it some day, I am sure!

Frau S ~ thank you!

Stefan ~ enjoy Spain...and don't spend too much time cruising blogs from the hotel lobby. I want to hear about all the amazing food and wine.

Anon ~ thank you. What a lovely compliment.

Emile ~ one of the few!

hbd ~ I have no doubt (about your elegant state of decay).

Flo ~ oh, yes! We had a marvelous bowl of she crab soup and a hearty helping of shrimp and grits.