Despite nearly three centuries in existence, Drayton Hall (built between 1738 and 1750) on the Ashley River in Charleston, South Carolina, lives on and, in fact, is an active archeological site. Seven generations of the Drayton family have lived in the home. The original owner, John Drayton was born in nearby Magnolia Plantation, which the family still owns. John once operated a vast 76,000-acre property, of which Drayton Hall enjoys a central position on 76 acres today.
The estate in the Palladian architectural style has remained fully intact, having survived two major wars that impacted the Charleston area—the Revolutionary War and Civil War. It has also withstood the worst earthquake on record to affect the East Coast, in 1886, as well as countless hurricanes. Descendants of enslaved workers lived on the property until 1960, after which time it was declared a National Historic Landmark. Drayton Hall, owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and managed by the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, opened to the public in 1976….