Mulberry Plantation, Historic plantation in Kershaw County, United States
Mulberry Plantation is a historic estate in Kershaw County featuring a three-and-a-half-story brick house in the Federal architectural style, positioned on high ground near the Wateree River. The main structure sits on about 4,800 acres and is accompanied by three preserved outbuildings from the 1800s: a former servant house and two log barns linked by an oak-lined carriage lane.
The land was inhabited since around 1250 CE and served as the location of Cofitachequi, a Native American chiefdom that explorer Hernando de Soto visited in the 16th century. The plantation itself was established later and became a major property holding in the region throughout the following centuries.
Mary Boykin Chesnut recorded her daily life here in detailed journals that offer insights into how people in the South experienced the Civil War. Her writings reveal personal details about the households, relationships, and struggles of that time.
Visiting the site involves walking outdoor paths and the carriage lane to view all structures, so comfortable footwear is important. The grounds near the house are relatively level, but the landscape becomes more rolling across the broader acreage of the plantation.
Archaeological excavations at the McDowell Site within the property have uncovered platform mounds and artifacts from pre-colonial Native American settlements. These discoveries reveal that people occupied and used this land for many generations before European contact.
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