Hampton Plantation

Hampton Plantation is a Georgian mansion in Charleston County featuring a distinctive temple front design framed by eight Doric columns and white clapboard walls. The house sits within grounds that include period gardens, outbuildings, and walking paths through various landscape areas.

Hampton Plantation was founded in the 1700s and underwent major architectural changes around 1791 when the temple front design was added. This transformation occurred during a period when the property was gaining prominence in the region.

Archibald Rutledge, South Carolina's first poet laureate, made this place his home and drew inspiration from the land and its stories for his writing. His literary connection remains part of how visitors understand and experience the plantation today.

The grounds are best explored on foot, with main areas easily accessible and clearly marked. Wear comfortable shoes and plan several hours to see both the house and the walking trails, especially if you want to take time at each location.

A trail with information markers tells the stories of enslaved people who lived and worked here, tracing their lives through the cultivation of rice and into freedom. These narratives offer insights often absent from traditional plantation histories.

Location: Charleston County

Inception: 1730

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

Website: http://southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1142.aspx

GPS coordinates: 33.19833,-79.43778

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:43