With the gorgeous homes, Spanish moss dripping from oak trees, I’m in awe of the Southern charm and beauty of plantations. However, I’ve been skeptical about touring them. It doesn’t feel right to contribute toward businesses profiting and exploiting slavery or visiting places that ignore the voice of the oppressed.
But I was intrigued to visit McLeod Plantation in Charleston, S.C. And I was not disappointed. While the Charleston County Parks generously offered my husband and me complimentary tickets, opinions are always my own. And my opinion is that everyone visiting Charleston should tour the McLeod Plantation Historic Site. This plantation tour focuses on the lives of the enslaved people.
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What to expect during your visit at The McLeod Plantation
If you’re looking to tour a beautiful plantation mansion with costumed actors that romanticizes the antebellum era, this tour is not for you. You can, of course, walk through the McLeod Plantation house and admire Oak Alley with its picturesque hanging Spanish moss. And you can expect to hear well-researched stories of those who were forced to work in the cotton fields, shedding sweat, blood, and tears, and their lives.
Established in 1851 and set among towering live oak trees, this sea island cotton plantation is a living tribute to the enslaved men, women, and children and the Gullah/Geechee heritage. I highly recommend taking the interpretive guided tour with Toby Smith if possible. She’s the cultural history interpretation coordinator at McLeod Plantation Historic Site. We loved her authenticity, honest storytelling, and appreciated her historical interpretation of what’s known as the last plantation.
In their words:
McLeod Plantation Historic Site is not just a place for memorialization and a place of conscience, but a place where the transformation of conscience can occur.
McLeod Plantation Historic Site website
The guided or self-guided tour of the McLeod Plantation Historic Site and interpretative signage will enlighten you about slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the transition to freedom, Freedman’s Bureau, the broken promise of 40 acres and a mule, the Gullah/Geechee heritage, the importance of sea island cotton, Wappoo Creek, the McLeod family members, Black Lives Matter movement, and more.
You may come to see the beautiful plantation home and trees, but you’ll walk away with so much more. Your presence becomes a significant part of the history of McLeod Plantation Historic Site – you honor those who died while elevating their humanity.
McLeod Plantation Historic Site – A Civil Rights Site
Named as one of America’s most important civil rights sites in the United States, the McLeod Plantation Historic Site is also recognized as a Site of Conscious.
Guide to the National Civil Rights Museum at Lorraine Motel
Although the McLeod Plantation dates back to 1851, the historic site as it exists today opened less than a decade ago in 2015. It’s important to recognize that this site was first home to Native Americans, who were displaced by plantation owners.
Census records from 1860 indicate that the McLeod Plantation owned 74 slaves. However, some historians believe that number is too conservative. Adult slaves were required to pick 100 pounds of cotton a day. While children, called half hands, picked 50 pounds of cotton a day.
With 700-800 acres of sea island cotton fields, it seems unlikely that only 74 slaves could meet that quota. Additionally, other slaves would have been needed to bring water to the fields. It’s possible, although not proven, that plantations shared slaves or owners hid slaves to keep their taxes lower. Of course, that’s all supposition.
The tour takes you out into the fields to take a closer look at the sea island cotton plants. You’ll need to imagine hundreds of acres of plants growing six to nine feet tall with uneven rows. I can’t even imagine the conditions slaves endured in these sea island cotton fields under the unforgiving South Carolina sun.
McLeod Plantation Points of Interest
Notable and top things to see at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site include:
- Welcome Center
- Main McLeod home – self-guided tour of the first floor with a downloadable app
- Guided interpretative tours at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. (Tuesdays-Sundays); first-come, first-served
- Transition Row to Freedom – homes of the enslaved and later the military, freed people, and tenant farmers
- Oak Alley – one tree is believed to be more than 600 years old
- Dairy and kitchen
- Worship house
- Cotton gin house
- Sea island cotton fields
- Pecan trees
- Wappoo Creek and cemetery
- Pavilion
Frequently Asked Questions about the McLeod Plantation Historic Site
Here are a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the McLeod Plantation Historic Site in Charleston, S.C.
Where is the McLeod Plantation Historic Site located?
The McLeod Plantation Historic Site is located on James Island, 325 Country Club Drive, Charleston, SC 29412.
What is Transition Row / Transition Road to Freedom?
Transition Row is where six of the original 20+ slave dwellings / cabins built in the late 1700s remain. Many generations and descendants of the slaves continued to live here through the 1980s. That’s why McLeod Plantation is also known as the last plantation. And these homes serve as memorials to them and their transition from slavery to freedom. These homes also sheltered military troops, freed people, tenant farmers, and more.
How big is the McLeod Plantation Historic Site?
Today, the McLeod Plantation Historic Site covers 37 acres. Pictured are a few of the cotton plants for educational purposes planted in the former cotton plantation fields.
During the height of slavery – with 1,700 acres – the McLeod Plantation was the fifth largest on James Island (in acreage) and first in cotton production.
Is parking available at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site?
Yes. Free parking is available at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site.
Where can I purchase tickets for the McLeod Plantation Historic Site? What are their hours?
You can only purchase tickets onsite at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site. And the guided tours are first-come, first-served. If you’re visiting in the summer, I highly recommend a morning tour to avoid the hot sun.
Ticket prices as of this publishing date are:
- $20 – 13-59 years old
- $15 – 60+ years old
- $6 – 3-12 years old
- Kids 2 and younger are free
McLeod Plantation Historic Site is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours are available at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m. The historic site is closed New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
How long does it take to tour the McLeod Plantation Historic Site?
The guided interpretative tours take one hour. Allow yourself time before or after the guided tour to take a self-guided tour of the McLeod Home.
Additionally, I recommend walking to nearby Wappoo Creek after your guided tour. More than 100 Gullah people are buried in this area. They performed sacred ceremonies here as spirits passed over this water to Heaven. You’ll learn more about the historical and cultural significance of this waterway for the cotton industry as well as for the slaves. Look for the interpretative signage.
We recommend spending at least two hours at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site to allow time for the tours and to reflect.
Can you take photos at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site?
Yes. You can take photos and video at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site. And they encourage you to share your photos on social media. Remember to tag them.
Is the plantation house open to visitors?
Yes. You may take a self-guided tour of the first floor of the McLeod house interior. Here you’ll learn about the different generations of the family who lived here. Additionally, you’ll learn more about the few Black slaves who worked in the home, including Isabelle Pinckney who served as a nanny.
Note that the interpretative guided tour does not go inside the McLeod home.
Is there a gift shop at McLeod Plantation Historic Site?
Yes. The McLeod Plantation Historic Site Welcome Center features a gift shop. Here you’ll find books, souvenirs, refreshments, and interpretative signage.
Is there a restaurant or refreshments available at the McLeod Plantation Historic Site?
The McLeod Plantation Historic Site does not have a restaurant. However, refreshments are available for purchase in the Welcome Center.
Are there restrooms at McLeod Plantation Historic Site?
Yes. You will find modern restrooms in the McLeod Plantation Historic Site Welcome Center and at the Pavilion.
Can I bring my dog to McLeod Plantation Historic Site?
No. Pets are not allowed at McLeod Plantation Historic Site.
How far away is the McLeod Plantation from the historic district of Charleston, S.C.?
The McLeod Plantation Historic Site, located on James Island, is only about 5 miles from the historic district of Charleston, S.C.
What are the other top things to do and see in Charleston?
You will not run out of things to do and see in Charleston, S.C. Here are a few of my favorites and a few on my to-do list:
- Aiken-Rhett House Museum
- Charleston Museum
- Edmondston-Alston House
- Ghost and Graveyard Tour – Bulldog Tours
- Folly Beach Pier
- Fort Sumter
- Heyward-Washington House
- Hyman’s Seafood Restaurant
- Joseph Manigault House
- Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
- Middleton Place
- Nathaniel Russell House
- Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum: USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, USS Laffey Destroyer, Vietnam Experience Exhibit, aircraft, and the Medal of Honor Museum
- Pineapple Fountain
- Rainbow Row
Add the McLeod Plantation to your History Bucket List
I’m all about history and the McLeod Plantation in Charleston, S.C. is one of the best historical tours I’ve taken. And I’ve taken quite a few.
Do you have any other questions about the McLeod Plantation Historic Site in Charleston, S.C.? If so, please leave them in the comments.
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The McLeod’s honest portrayal of plantation life would be very interesting to see. So different from many of the romanticized tours.
We really appreciated the authenticity of the McLeod Plantation Historic Site.
I absolutely love historic sites and the McLeod Plantation looks like a great one! We will definitely be stopping here when we are in Charleston S.C.
I’m all about history. Loved our tour of the McLeod Plantation Historic Site.
I’m really looking forward to visiting McLeod Plantation in Charleston! After reading your post, I’m even more excited to experience the fascinating historic tour. Thanks for the recommendation!
You’re welcome and my pleasure. We highly recommend the McLeod Plantation tour…it’s a very moving experience.
Charleston is such a beautiful city! I’d love to go back someday. Thanks for sharing your experience at this plantation; I really appreciate you acknowledging and including the history of this site too. Xx Sara
You’re welcome and my pleasure. Charleston is a beautiful city and can’t wait to return.
Interesting and important history. Oak Alley is beautiful and I’d love to see more of the cotton fields
Lots of emotional history at McLeod Plantation. We highly recommend this tour.
I would be emotionally moved touring this home and plantation. Thank you for the excellent write-up, and I loved the Q&A section. Pinned!
Yes…it was a very moving and emotional tour. We greatly appreciated learning more about McLeod Plantation in Charleston.
This looks like such a gorgeous and interesting place!
Agree! McLeod Plantation is beautiful and interesting.