Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens Spring is the time when Charleston truly shows her regal self. Winter maintenance complete, spring-cleaning finished, donning her new wardrobe of meticulously manicured and lush gardens bursting with a riot of colors. This fine old girl preserves her southern beauty in historic architecture and furnishings of antebellum, Georgian, Victorian and harbor side homes and proudly displays them during the Festival of Houses and Gardens like a string of colorful precious gems for all to see.
The Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens begins in March and offers such a comprehensive schedule of events that the lectures, luncheons, teas, tours and soirees associated with the affair span the length of almost the entire spring season, ending in April. Within that time the Festival of Houses and Gardens offers a dozen or more tours, each featuring seven to ten historic properties in select areas of Charleston. For ease of travel on foot, streets and sections of town determine each tour area. The tour areas are as follows: Meeting Street, Legare Street, South of Broad, Church Street, East Battery Broad Street Rutledge Avenue, Tradd Street King Street and Anson Street. The house tours, approximately three hours long, provide history and information on the architecture and furnishings of these unique properties and each tour is held twice. So if you have an interest in the houses on Broad Street, for example, and you miss the tour you will have a second opportunity to purchase tickets. Early ticket purchase is recommended as these tours sell out quickly, particularly on the weekend dates.
In addition to the house tours mentioned above, there are dates for Garden Tours highlighting courtyards and gardens throughout Charleston. Again, each tour offers viewings of seven to ten Charleston Gardens giving insight to the plantings and the theme or design plans behind the creation of the garden. Using trees and greens, flowering shrubs and bulbs, exotics and imports, wrought iron, stone and statuary, view some of the most elite gardens that are the pride of the city.
A popular feature of the Festival is the evening series of period musicals performed by talented musicians and artists in an historic building. Each performance allows patrons to "experience period music in intimate historic settings with entertaining and educational interpretations." The series includes various styles of music.
Throughout the weeks of the Festival there are many additional events in which to partake for instance, in the past there was an oyster roast held at Drayton Hall Plantation, a National Historic Landmark, c 1738, a tour of the plantation is included with the price of the admission to the picnic. Historically being one of the busiest ports in the southeast, Charleston is just as interesting by sea as it is by land. There was three, Harbor of History Boat Cruises available for a different perspective of Charleston. One was also able to partake of several wine, vodka and rum tasting events that was held at various venues, each offering a unique setting and history for the experience. Spring always comes with much promise but Charleston, now boasting special events to show off the history, culture and beauty is the place to be. Don't miss a visit to this friendly city on a vacation or take a local staycation and learn more about Charleston and see all this magnificent girl has to offer during the Festival of Homes and Gardens. For schedules, tickets and more information go to: Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens
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