Mulberry Plantation (Moncks Corner, South Carolina) facts for kids
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Mulberry Plantation
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Mulberry Plantation, 1970s HABS photo
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off Old U.S. 52 on Cooper River, Moncks Corner, South Carolina |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1714 |
| Architectural style | Colonial, Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000697 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | October 9, 1960 |
Mulberry Plantation is a very old and important property in Berkeley County, South Carolina. It is located between Moncks Corner and Charleston. This special place was started in 1714 by Thomas Broughton. He later became the Royal governor of South Carolina.
Mulberry Plantation is one of the oldest plantation homes in the United States. A plantation was a large farm where crops like rice were grown. The fields, dikes, and canals used for growing rice here were kept in good condition for many years. In 1963, the main house and ten acres around it were named a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a place of great historical importance to the country.
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Exploring Mulberry Plantation
Mulberry Plantation sits on the southern side of the Cooper River. The main house is a two-story building made of brick. It has a special kind of roof called a gambrel roof. At each corner of the house, there are smaller, one-story square sections with pointed roofs. The front door has a covered entrance called a gabled portico.
A Look at Its History
The plantation was likely built around 1714. Some records suggest it might have been founded a bit later, around 1725. At that time, this area was a frontier, meaning it was a new settlement. The plantation was built on the site of an old fort. This fort was used for defense against attacks by Native American groups.
Mulberry Plantation was even used as a defensive spot during the Yamasee War (1715–1717). This was a conflict between early European settlers and Native American tribes. The main house at Mulberry Plantation is a rare example of early Georgian architecture. This means it shows a building style that was popular during the time of King George I of Great Britain. It has not been changed much over the years, which makes it very special.
Protecting a Historic Site
Over the years, Mulberry Plantation has had several owners. In 1987, the Historic Foundation of Charleston bought the large 800-acre property. They did this to make sure the land would not be developed into something else. The Foundation later sold the property to S. Parker Gilbert and his wife in 1988.
The Foundation also made sure that the property would be protected for the future. They added special agreements called easements. These agreements help prevent the land from being divided into smaller pieces. They also protect the long entry road and the inside of the historic house. This helps keep Mulberry Plantation looking much like it did hundreds of years ago.
Images for kids
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This old painting by British artist Thomas Coram, from about 1800, shows the Mulberry House and its surroundings.
