Have you ever visited a Southern Plantation?

My time in Charleston, South Carolina, provided opportunity to go to the famous Boone Hall

Driving down the Avenue of the Oaks - the treelined road leading up to the main house at the Boone Hall Plantation - is quite an experience.

A few moments later, I was in awe while walking directly under them, sheltered from the baking South Carolina sun. You can see those scenes (and more) in my latest YouTube vlog (imbedded below).

Acknowledgements

Before we discuss this trip, I just want to take a moment to thank all my paid members, all of my Patrons, and those who have sent PayPal tips to me for my upcoming Halloween tour. It truly keeps me going and able to create this content.

A special shoutout to Cindy, Jennifer, Christine, Konni, Steven, Frederick and Blake for their kind tips.

Exploring Boone Hall

There was something remarkable about walking through the Avenue of the Oaks, maybe even mystical. I felt a definite energy under the trees, as if the weight of history was sitting right there with us among the branches.

In my new vlog’s edit, I tried to choose music that reflected these feelings. I’d love to know if that comes through as you watch:

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I was actually nervous to post this video. I understand sites like this have a loaded history, and much of it bad. Indeed, celebrities who chose it as a wedding venue even apologised for it later, with many deeming it inappropriate.

The challenge is, as much as places like Boone Hall are beautiful, both in the building structures and nature, the connection with slavery means that a huge amount of understanding and respect should be paid by visitors.

Me sitting under the oldest surviving oak tree at Boone Hall.

For me, as someone with only a light grasp on the complex issues surrounding this dark period in our history, I was happy to see that a member of the Gullah/Geechee Nation was on-site to share stories of her people, their history and language.

Established in 1681, Boone Hall is one of America's oldest working plantations, with a lineage spanning centuries. Renowned for its beautifully preserved antebellum architecture, Boone Hall's main house reflects the grandeur of Southern plantation life. 

The expansive grounds also include slave cabins, as shown in my video, offering a poignant reminder of the enslaved individuals who played an integral role in the plantation's history. Beyond its historical significance, Boone Hall is celebrated for its vibrant gardens, featuring blooming flowers and meticulously maintained landscapes. 

I walked through the grounds of the plantation site with the greatest respect for its history, much in the same way I do at battle sites like Culloden in Scotland. It was an important visit and I’m glad I went.

The Angel Oak

Before leaving Boone Hall, I saw clouds closing in, while thunder began rumbling as we got in the car. Moments later, we were driving through a full-blown monsoon.

Nevertheless, we headed towards one of South Carolina’s most famous trees - the Angel Oak. This image I shot on site should go some way to explaining why.

I mean, look at it!

This oak is thought to be 400/500 years old, and its sprawling branches are impressive beyond what an Instagram photo can show.

Unfortunately, as shown in my video, the lightning meant that the park site was totally closed for safety, so we never actually got any closer to it that the boundary fence, which was a shame.

My time in South Carolina was a blast, and I have one more video from the area to share (coming this weekend) before my road trip moves on.

As always, thank you for reading and watching.

Shaun