America's Best History Spotlight

On this page we're going to Spotlight the lesser known historic sites and attractions that dot the history landscape across the USA and are worth a visit if you're in their area. And while they may be lesser known, some are very unique, and will be that rare find. You'll be, at times, on the ground floor, or maybe even know something others don't. It'll be fun. Visit them.

Charles Pinkney NHS

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Charleston, South Carolina

He was a signer of the American Constitution, one of the lesser known, but most controversial. In his eyes, he was one of the most influential crafters of the document; others disagreed. Today, the historic site of his Snee Farm north of Charleston, South Carolina is one of those historic sites that most, except the historic hardy, bypass in their journey to Fort Sumter or the many other pleasures of the city. But whether you think of Charles as one of the most influential, or just another important signer of the document that rocked the governmental world just birthed to democracy, the national historic site that bears his name is a worthwhile jaunt off the beaten track of this South Carolina city. Hey, George Washington ate breakfast at the farm in 1791, and it's on the way to Myrtle Beach, too.

Photo above: Snee Farm home at Charles Pinckney Historic Site from the Historic American Buildings Survey, Library of Congress.

  • Charles Pinckney NHS

    Charles Pinckney

    His political career spanned an entire lifetime and included service in the American Revolution, the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention, the South Carolina State Legislature, and the U.S. Congress, both chambers. He served at the request of Presidents to foreign lands. He battled for his beliefs, even the incorrrect ones, during the drafting of the Constitution, and sometimes lied. Yes, he was a politician. Many scholars state that he was a vibrant member of the Convention; he claimed he was the most influential, which James Madision denied. But his most controversial was in the advocacy of the Fugitive Slave Clause. When he proposed, it was at first denied, but one day later, accepted, with changes. The change made the clause tougher or at best clarified; there would be extradition for slaves back to their owners, and the added clause making it seem that slavery was a state issue, not federal. That clause, in many ways, created the atmosphere for the Civil War that would brew decades later, and not be withdrawn until the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery forever on December 18, 1865.

    Image above: Snee farmhouse and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site museum and Visitor Center. Photo courtesy National Park Service.




  • Charles Pinkney National Historic Site

    What's There

    Snee Farm - Twenty eight acres of the original seven hundred and fifteen acre rice and indigo plantation has been preserved. The farm was established by his father in 1754 and owned by the more famous Charles in 1782. The Visitor Center is located in the Snee farmhouse, which is not original, built in 1828. Yes, it was there for the Civil War, but not the American Revolution. The visitor center includes orientation, museum artifacts, and a film. Outside you can walk the grounds through ornamental gardens, under Spanish moss, have a picnic, and read wayside exhibits.

    How Much to Visit

    Free.

    Hours Open

    Park hours and museum 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m daily, except for major holidays.

    Where Is It Located

    Charles Pinckney NHS is located 10.9 miles north of Charleston, South Carolina, less than one half hour away. Take East Bay Street north from the center of the city, merge onto US-17 North, head across the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge and continue on US-17 for a total of 8.5 miles. Turn left onto Long Point Road. Address of the site is 1254 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, for GPS fans.

    Website
    Charles Pinkney National Historic Site.
  • Area Historic Sites


    So what else is there to do near Charles Pinckney? Well, since you've already contemplated or been to Charleston, you likely already know. There's that famous fort, Fort Sumter, and its Confederate cousin, Fort Moultrie. Patriots Point and the Maritime Museum. Boone Hall Planation. Plus so many more. The amount of forts in this area is astonishing.

    Fort Sumter

    Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

    Patriots Point

    Boone Hall Plantation

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