Welcome to Charleston
Activities with Lunch
Wednesday May 15th, 2013
Wild Dunes Links - 7 tee times starting at 9:03 am
Located on the northeast tip of the Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes is a unique barrier island resort golf
facility ten miles from downtown historic Charleston. Both courses are Tom Fazio designed, and
offer challenging "links" style play...good for accurate drivers and moderate short iron strokes. The
Links Course has been consistently ranked in the top twenty-five courses in the United States since
its inception in 1977 and is a par 72 course, measuring 6,722 yards in length.
Distance: 30 minutes
7:45 – 8:00am Load Buses
8:00am Depart
8:35am Arrive at course
9:03am First tee time
11:00am Boxed Lunch delivered to course for lunch “on the turn”
(2) Beverage Carts will be on the course
Beverage Cart to be billed back to Charleston Place
2:30pm Depart course
3:10pm Arrive hotel
** See Boxed Lunch Menus in Luncheon
Middleton & Drayton Tour with Lunch at Middleton
8:45am Gather in Lobby
9:00am Depart Hotel
9:45am Arrive at Drayton Hall, a gorgeous Georgian-Palladian plantation home.
The builder of Drayton Hall, Royal Judge John Drayton, was considered at his death to be one of
the wealthiest men in the colony, owning rice-growing properties and over 500 slaves. But the
most exceptional fact about Drayton Hall is that it has survived at all. Though it has almost become
a cliché to list the litany of fire, storm, war, earthquake and hurricane that have taken their toll on
these plantations houses, Drayton Hall is the only one still standing intact on the Ashley River.
11:30am Depart Drayton Hall
11:45am Arrive Middleton for Lunch in the Pavilion
Middleton Place is an 18th century river plantation and National Historic Landmark. Home of Henry
Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress, and his son, Arthur, a signer of the
Declaration of Independence, it has never been deeded out of the family. The Gardens, begun by
Henry Middleton in 1741, reflect the symmetry and elegance of 17th century France and 18th
century England and are the oldest formal gardens in this country. The plantation's stable yards
preserve the day-to-day world of the rice and cotton eras. Enjoy ongoing craft demonstrations by
the blacksmith, potter, basket weaver, quilters and carpenters.
12:45pm Enjoy a private tour of the gardens and the home
2:15pm Board Coach to return to Charleston Place Hotel
3:00pm Return to Charleston Place Hotel
What to wear: Casual clothing, hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes
Carriage Ride Followed by a Walking Tour and Lunch at
Magnolia’s & Charleston Silver Lady Dawn Evers
9:00am Gather in the Lobby
9:15am Depart via carriage, Guides will go through the “city gate”
A carriage tour of Charleston is a blend of knowledge, wit, humor, and history. It is exciting and
ever changing, the ultimate urban battle of 19th century conveyance in a 21st century city. Tour
guides drive the streets of the city; recounting, witnessing, and in some cases taking part in the
ever-unfolding story that is Charleston. Palmetto Carriage Works was the first in Charleston and
they have developed the greatest carriage experience in the city.
What are you going to see on the tour?
During the one-hour tour you will be experiencing 25 – 30 blocks of Charleston’s historic downtown
district. You will see houses, gardens, mansions, churches, and parks. You will hear about
buildings, history, architecture, flora and people.
9:15 – 10:00am Carriage tour dropping off at one or multiple locations, depending on number of
guests
Edmondston-Alston House OR Calhoun Mansion
Enjoy a walking tour of Charleston’s magnificent Historic District; begin it with your own private
guide. On a walking tour of Charleston you will visit St. Michael’s (circa 1752), and many other
historic landmarks and exquisite gardens.
Some guests will visit the Edmondston-Alston House and Heyward –Washington House while other
may enjoy the Calhoun Mansion and the Nathaniel Russell House ** Depending on the number of
guests. ** For Instance, if we have 30 guests, they can all do the same tour. If we have 50+, we
need to spread out the houses to accommodate the group.
Nathaniel Russell House
The restored Nathaniel Russell House, a superb example of Adams architecture. The house is
well-known for its spiral staircase which is unsupported from floor-to-floor.
Heyward-Washington House
This brick double house was built in 1772 by rice planter Daniel Heyward as a townhouse for his
son, Thomas Heyward, Jr. The city rented it for George Washington’s use during the President’s
week-long Charleston stay, May 1791, and it has traditionally been called the Heyward-Washington
House ever since.
Calhoun Mansion
Boasting a striking Italianate design, the Calhoun Mansion, the largest residence in Charleston, has
35 rooms, a grand ballroom, Japanese water gardens, 35 fireplaces, 75 foot high domed stair hall
ceiling, koi ponds, private elevator, three levels of piazzas, ornate chandeliers, a 90 foot cupola,
and many more wonderful surprises that make up the house's more than 24,000 square feet.
Edmondston-Alston House
The collection at the Edmondston-Alston House Museum consists of pieces that belonged to the
family, reflecting not only family history but American history. Despite the ravages of the Civil War,
the Earthquake of 1886 and numerous hurricanes, the Alston family pieces remain in place much
as they have for over 150 years. Notable in the collection is an original print of the Ordinance
of Secession, portraits, dining room table, gas lights, mirror and exquisite interior woodwork.
12:45pm Lunch at Magnolia’s
What to wear: Casual clothing, hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes
Lunch at Magnolia’s Restaurant
Magnolia's setting is a blend of historic charm & contemporary excitement. The uptown American
cuisine with the down south flavor offers a wide variety of your favorite menu items.
Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Cuisine: Southern, Low Country
Menu: TBD
Meet Charleston Silver Lady Dawn Evers Corley during Lunch!
Dawn Evers Corley is a native Charlestonian. She perfected her expertise on silver in antique and
silver shops on King street in downtown Charleston. In those twenty plus years, she has become a
much sought after lecturer having given presentations and lectures to US presidents, foreign heads
of state and dignitaries as well as many corporate and Fortune 500 groups ; The Family Circle Cup,
Norfolk Southern, Southern Living to name a few.
She has taught extensively and is a former fellow with Charleston Antiques School. She is
considered an expert in fine jewelry. In fact, Dawn was the assessor and appraiser of the jewelry
that was discovered in the raising of the USS Hunley from the Charleston harbor. She has given
thousands of interactive, hands-on lectures through the years.
She still maintains an active touring and lecture schedule in addition to owning and running
Antiques On Main at Historic Karle Place in Lexington, SC. Dawn has been featured in magazines
such as: Charleston Magazine, Charleston Home Magazine, Southern Lady magazine, hundreds of
smaller publications, magazines and newspapers. Many people know her (or recognize her) from
her appearances on television programs such as "What in the World Is It?" Her private collection
has been showcased in museums and national exhibits
Each lecture will include a "hand's on" format with hundreds of rare pieces to examine and learn
from. Each piece is a link to a time period and a culture that produced it- most pieces are museum
quality; many being made by Dawn's Southern ancestor's. This unique opportunity to hold a piece
of history in your hand should not be missed. Classes are perfect for the beginner as well as the
expert.
Among the things you will learn are:
•
How to tell a fraud or fake from the real thing
•
How to know the age of a piece
•
What marks mean and what they do not not
•
How to read the quality of a piece
•
How much to pay for an object and why
** Back to Hotel around 2:15pm
Bicycle Tour of Old Village Mount Pleasant
9:00am – 2:30pm
Old Village Mount Pleasant is a historic community filled with gorgeous pre-Civil war homes and
breathtaking marsh front views. Located across the harbor of Charleston, Mt. Pleasant began as a
summer resort when planters came down from the plantations to seek a healthier climate, and a
people from the city came over on ferries to their summer cottages. Houses were built high off the
ground with cross-ventilation that would catch any prevailing breezes. The beauty of the shoreline
allowed short docks with access to the water, which was the main mode of transportation.
“The Old Village” of Mt. Pleasant was formed when five small English settlements merged in the
nineteenth century to create a town. It is located on one of the highest bluffs in Charleston County.
Enjoy a morning or afternoon touring this beautiful and historic community.
Guests should bring a little pocket money; there is an old Rexall Drug Store and Soda shop and a
small boutique next door, Both on Pitt Street.
Length: Custom (Suggested: 2 hours, plus 1 hour for transportation/getting acquainted)
Activity Time: 2 hours riding, .5 hours in the town, .5 hours having lemonade – 3 hours total, 4
hours with the transfer, 6 hours with lunch.
Wear: Casual Clothing, Hat, Sunscreen, Comfortable Shoes
Minimum: 10 guests ; Maximum: 36 guests
Guides: one guide per every 7 guests.
Example of Timing
8:45am Gather in Lobby, Bell Stand
9:00am Depart
9:15am Arrive at tennis courts
9:30 -10:30am Ride
10:30am Lemonade and Snacks
11:00am Ride, Visit Shrimp Boats
11:30am Visit Pitt Street Market (remind guests to bring money)
12:00 Lunch at Old Village Post House ** Main Dining Room at the restaurant has been reserved.
36 guests max.
1:45pm Depart
2:00pm Return to Charleston Place Hotel
Savor the Flavors of Charleston
10:30am – 1:00pm
Charleston Culinary Tour – Guests will experience taste sensations as you walk, talk and taste our
way through Charleston. This privately guided 2½ hour Charleston culinary tour will immerse you in
the history and culture of the Lowcountry. You will discover how our unique cuisine has evolved
over the past 300+ years while sampling delicious specialties from local eateries, markets,
bakeries, restaurants, and culinary landmarks. This tour can suffice for a light lunch.
Typical tastings include:
•
Stone Ground Grits
•
Charleston Benne Wafers
•
Locally Made Gourmet Chocolates
•
Southern Pralines
•
Sweet Tea
•
Collard Greens
•
Lowcountry Barbeque
For Example: The History of the Benne Wafer
Unique to the Low Country since Colonial times, Benne (the Bantu-word for sesame) was brought
from East Africa and planted extensively throughout the South
The Benne Wafer is a thin cookie, made with tasty toasted sesame. Benne Wafer recipes dates
back well over 100 years. You’ll get to taste this yummy little cookie treat!
Minimum: 8 guests
Maximum: 36 guests
Wear: Casual Clothing, Hat, Sunscreen, Comfortable Shoes
Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum & Tour of the Citadel
9:00 am – 2:30 pm
9:00am Gather in Lobby, Bell Stand
9:15am Depart
Board an executive coach, travel just over the Cooper River Bridge, take in the expansive views of
the South Caroline shoreline, and embark on a wonderful journey where you’ll survey the ships of
Patriot’s Point, the magnificent aircraft, a reproduced Vietnam support base camp, and the rest of
the exhibits that make the Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum one of the most visited
attractions in the Carolinas. The centerpiece of Patriot’s Point is the world-famous aircraft carrier
USS YORKTOWN, a heavily decorated warship that was at the "tip of the spear" in America's
victory in the Pacific during World War II. In addition, you will walk in and around the mystique of
the Destroyer “Laffey”; DD-459 Submarine “Clamagore”; Coast Guard Cutter “Ingham”; and the
River Patrol Boat, used in South Vietnam.
Travel back in time as historians regale you with stories of powerful battles and courageous
victories waged on the nineteen stories of the USS Yorktown.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Museum
Located on board the historic aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, the Congressional Medal of Honor
Museum features interactive exhibits that explain the origin of the Medal of Honor and what it
stands for. Perhaps of greater importance, these exhibits tell the stories of brave Americans who
displayed remarkable courage such as Audie Murphy, Sergeant Alvin York and Jimmy Doolittle.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Museum at Patriots Point has become the premier visitor
attraction in the Greater Charleston area. Come experience the embodiment of honor, courage and
sacrifice.
**On your way back (or to) the U.S.S. Yorktown, your guide will take you through the Citadel
Military Academy and, based on schedule, be able to show you the Summerall Chapel. (This
portion of the tour could be eliminated due to the schedule at the Citadel). If guests do not go
through the Citadel they will tour Hampton Park and / or drive around The High Battery for looks at
Ft. Sumter and a narrative of the bombardment of the city.
Tour Length with Lunch 5.5 Hours
Minimum: 10 guests
Maximum: 32 guests
Wear: Casual Clothing, Hat, Sunscreen, Comfortable Shoes
12:30pm Lunch in the Admiral’s Quarters of the USS Yorktown, Catered by Charleston Place Hotel
** See Lunch Menus – Buffet Lunches are best