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Barbara Stevenson
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Bleak Hall Plantation Tabby Ruins

9/12/2015

2 Comments

 
Bleak Hall Plantation Ice House (Photo by Barbara Stevenson)
Bleak Hall Plantation Gardener Shed (Photo by Barbara Stevenson)
Bleak Hall Plantation Barn (Photo by Barbara Stevenson)
Description

The tabby ruins of Bleak Hall Plantation are part of the Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area located on Edisto Island, SC. There are three Gothic Revival architectural ruins: a white wooden ice house constructed on tabby foundations, a tabby gardener shed, and a tabby barn.

History

The plantation property belonged to the Townsend family from 1798-1933 and was named after Charles Dickens’ novel, Bleak House. After the Civil War, a fire destroyed much of the plantation, but the three tabby outbuildings survived. Constructed in the 1840s, they feature characteristics of Gothic Revival architecture, including spires, gable roofs, dentil molding, and mock arched doors and windows (although a fire in the 1970s destroyed much of the ornamentation of the barn). The property was eventually acquired by John Meyer, who deeded it to the state. Consequently, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources opened Botany Bay Plantation to the public in 2008. In addition to Bleak Hall, the brick ruins of Sea Cloud Plantation and other historic structures are on the preserve, which consists of pine-hardwood forests, agricultural fields, coastal wetlands, and a boneyard beach.

Location

GPS: N 32°33.513 and W 80°15.276

Address: 1066 Botany Bay Rd., Edisto Island, SC 29438 (Botany Bay Rd. is an unpaved road that permits cars to drive through the preserve. Maps are available at the entrance.)

Accessibility: Free and open to the public, except closed on Tuesdays and for scheduled hunts. For more information, visit http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/charleston-county/botany-bay.html.

2 Comments
Mary Edings
7/9/2020 02:10:22 pm

Going through my mothers things I found a plate Silver oddly shaped what’s the name of Bleak hall I am related to the Grace Townsend not sure what to do with it my mothers maiden name was Sosnowski so I am related to the Edings is also

Reply
Barbara Stevenson
7/9/2020 03:06:46 pm

Try contacting the museum on Edisto Island. They may be able to help you.

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