McLeod Plantation Historic Site, Former plantation museum in James Island, Charleston, United States
McLeod Plantation Historic Site is a museum on James Island that displays original plantation-era buildings, including the main house, slave cabins, and support structures. The grounds span several dozen acres and feature a massive oak tree that has stood for centuries.
The plantation was founded in 1851 and later served as a hospital for Confederate forces during the Civil War. An African American regiment fighting for the Union was stationed on the grounds in the final years of the conflict.
The site honors Gullah/Geechee heritage through its structures and displays that tell the stories of the people who were enslaved there. Visitors can learn how their descendants continue to practice traditional crafts and maintain cultural connections to the land.
The grounds are fairly easy to explore, with walkways connecting the historic buildings that are accessible to most visitors. Wear comfortable shoes, since you will spend considerable time outdoors on the property.
The grounds include areas where sweetgrass is cultivated, a material used by Gullah craftspeople for traditional basket weaving since the 1990s. This practice links historical knowledge with living craftsmanship on the property.
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