Hi All - We will be traveling to South Carolina later this year. I'm a photographer interested in photographing old plantation sites while we are in the area. I wonder if anyone has sites to recommend. I'm looking for old sites, preferring ones that have not been reconditioned, or at least that preserve much of what they were like when they were active plantations. Will be in the Myrtle Beach and Charleston areas but will travel anywhere in the state. Thanks!

The only one in the Charleston area that has preserved the original house is Drayton Hall. The others were, ah, burned.

Not a plantation but interesting anyway is Old Sheldon Church Ruins just off Highway 17 near Beaufort.

The ones near Myrtle are Hampton and Hopsewee. Boone Hall in MtPleasant has a house built in the 30s, but the original alve cabins are still there. Middleton and Magnolia have beautiful grounds in the spring.

*slave* cabins. Cat helps me type sometimes.

Thanks suewoo
I had searched the archives here and Drayton does sounds like the best match.
Do you know if the entire house is open to the public? Or just a portion of it?
I'll send them off an email.

Only parts of the house are open to visitors, since preservation is ongoing.

Maybe this doesn't qualify as an original house, but for a photographer it's a highly worthwhile visit. Be sure to check out the neighboring gardens and Audubon swamp those subjects appeal.

http://www.magnoliaplantation.com/house.html

Google Brookgreen Gardens and see if that is what you are looking for. The house across the street in the state park is pretty much a shell but I don't think it is especially photogenic.

Brookgreen isn't really a ruin, but Atalanta, the house, could have some interesting views. it's a head shaking piece of architecture for wealthy folks to live in 6 months of the year! However, Brookgreen Gardens can be a photographer's love.
Sue has mentioned several of the plantations south of Georgetown on the way to charleston. And then there is Georgetown itself.